CEO Insights Magazine

Millions of Indians call one of the six Gulf countries home. The GCC has also attracted Indians who are keen on tapping into leading renowned companies, churning out to imprint their identity across the global podium. Lauding the achievement of this diverse diaspora, we reveal an influential IT professional, Manoj Bhatnagar, who has emerged as a prominent Indian professional and impresarios carrying on efficacious businesses in the UAE. He is a result oriented professional who has been acknowledged for taking major initiatives in the launching of Hotels & Retail by acclimatizing to rapidly changing industrial settings and resolving mission-critical issues to ensure success. With a proven track record of streamlining systems with demonstrated capability to enhance IT infrastructure operation, Manoj is currently the steward of governance at Al Ain Coop as the Corporate IT Manager. Manoj Bhatnagar engages in an exclusive interview with CEO Insights Asia, wherein he walks us through his professional traits and his unique play at Al Ain Coop.

Give us a brief overview of your educational and professional background.

My extensive and exclusive knowledge across hospitality/Retail IT systems, starting from setting up networks, configuring servers, workstations, and vendor coordination, makes me a prolific industry stalwart striding in this domain. Following my graduation in Commerce from Meerut University, I began my career as a Programmer in 1991 with the Hotel industry. After that, there was no turning back as I advanced in my profession and became associated with several renowned brands such as The Claridges Hotel, Radisson Hotel, Shangri La, Ramada, Sheraton, Marriott, and others. Throughout my career, I have played a significant role in the launching of new hotel properties, including the appointment of IT Managers for upcoming properties. I was pragmatically involved in every project, and all of these experiences helped me enhance my skillset. Along with various accolades and certifications throughout my career, I have also received a letter of recommendation from FHRI, underlining my expertise in both project management and operations. As Director IT for La Cigale Hotel, where my domain of responsibility was setting up new property, I soon moved to Qatar. After a year, I was working as the Director of IT for One to One Hotel and Resorts in Abu Dhabi, where I was also in charge of corporate operations and opened a couple of properties for them. My zeal drove me to explore Lebanon while on deputation before returning to Bahrain to work as Gulf Hotels Group's Corporate Director IT. As I forged ahead in my career, I joined Sheraton Hotels & Resorts in Abu Dhabi, where I witnessed the conversion of Sheraton to Marriott, as well as significant training and processes for the migration to take place. In 2019, I joined Al Ain Cooperative Society (Al Ain Coop) in the Retail industry as Corporate IT Manager, wherein I'm in charge of the group's Corporate IT strategy as well as the deployment of SAP for business efficiency while adding value to the present business process. 

What are the roles and responsibilities that you currently shoulder at Al Ain Cooperative Society?

After joining the organization, I've been instrumental in upgrading the IT infrastructure to the latest technology wherever it's needed to address the current market trend while also ensuring client satisfaction. Along with upgrading the system, I'm presently directing my team through the COVID-19 challenges. We have experienced some significant changes owing to the pandemic, and I am now keen on integrating some innovative elements across the company's operations. As Corporate IT Manager, the IT infrastructure of Al Ain Cooperative Society and sister concerns has been revamped as per the latest IT standards enforcing a secured environment.

As a market leader in the retail sector Al Ain coop, always focused on implementing the best strategy across the organization to support their operational needs, company growth and employee productivity. As Corporate IT Manager, it is extremely gratifying that I was able to succeed in creating an environment of safety, collaboration, and learning to enable my team to do their best work. Also, doing a leadership role in Plan, organize, control, and evaluate internal IT solutions & operations and delivering to them and the business modern, secure, and flexible IT solutions and practices.

We are Strong in focus on creating value to the company and its employees through digital tools and infrastructure, Ensure security of data, network access and backup systems. I go for demonstrations including the management team to reach a decisive phase while pragmatically engaged in making decisions about cost reduction, personnel cutting, or enhancing my existing saving operation. As an IT professional, I'm specified by the parameters of my job role and collaborate with the administrative team to implement a solution for the better prospect of the group.

How do you leverage your proficiency to yield favorable outcomes for the organization?

Al Ain Coop and its sister concern have launched more than 10 new branches and expanded operations in 15 Khalifa Foundation outlets over the last two years, being the pioneer retailer to provide a novel concept of a mobile supermarket in the region. It has shifted its logistic operations to the new Central Warehouse in Abu Dhabi, a prominent distribution center for the entire Emirates in the UAE, by utilizing Warehouse Management System technology (WMS). As Corporate IT Manager, I was able to assist the business in enhancing operational efficiency by investing in automation, enterprise mobility, and standardization of applications, and interfaces, among other initiatives. Al Ain coop was recently awarded the prestigious ISO certification, an internationally recognized standard that ensures services meet the needs of clients through an effective integrated management system.

Which milestones in your professional jour-ney have given you the most satisfaction, both as an individual and as a Corporate Director?

My journey thus far has been immaculate, with multiple milestones providing me with a great deal of satisfaction. In my previous stints, I encountered numerous operational challenges, and by implementing solutions, I was able to meet my goals to the utmost satisfaction of our valued clients. I always try to identify the factors that can jeopardize the hotel's market status and rectify them as soon as possible. My professional trajectory is inextricably linked to my own dedication as well as the contributions of my team, which is also an accomplishment for the consumers. Now, these are the milestones that I consider bestows my heart with utmost satisfaction. 

Manoj Bhatnagar, Corporate IT Manager, Al Ain Coop Society 

Manoj Bhatnagar, Corporate IT Manager of Information Technology, has over 30 years of demonstrated cross cultural career success in developing and executing operational strategies to promote organizational growth with optimal utilization of emerging technologies. Throughout his career, he has successfully assisted the top management in planning IT strategies, incorporating, managing, and driving businesses.