Creating Products That Drive Retail Excellence
Leveraging 14+ years of experience to build customer-focused products that bridge operational needs with cutting-edge technology, delivering measurable business outcomes.
My Approach to Digital Transformation
Why technology alone isn't enough to transform retail operations
Product-Led Thinking
I believe successful digital transformation starts with understanding customer needs, not just implementing technology. Every solution I architect is grounded in delivering measurable business value and exceptional user experience.
People-First Execution
The best technology fails without the right team. I focus on building high-performing, collaborative teams through mentorship, clear communication, and empowering individuals to take ownership of outcomes.
"In my 14 years driving digital transformation in retail, I've learned that sustainable change comes from aligning technology, process, and people. It's not about having all the answers—it's about asking the right questions, iterating quickly, and creating a culture where excellence is the standard, not the exception."
— Pankaj Kumar Mandal
Areas of Expertise
Where technology meets strategy and execution
Retail Digital Transformation
"Successful retail transformation isn't about replacing legacy systems—it's about bridging the gap between operational needs and customer expectations."
Product-Led Growth & Delivery
"The best products emerge from continuous iteration, not perfect planning. Speed to market beats perfection when coupled with the ability to learn and adapt quickly."
High-Performance Infrastructure
"Achieving 99.999% uptime isn't luck—it's the result of proactive monitoring, performance optimization, and a culture that treats every incident as a learning opportunity."
Team Leadership & Scaling
"Great teams aren't built through hiring alone. They're cultivated through mentorship, clear ownership, and creating an environment where people can do their best work."
Featured Projects
Real-world impact through strategic product delivery and technical excellence
Eagle Eye Loyalty Platform - Digital Customer Engagement Transformation
Giant Eagle
Challenge
Giant Eagle needed to modernize their customer loyalty program to compete with digital-first retailers and enhance customer engagement across multiple touchpoints.
Solution
Led the end-to-end implementation of the Eagle Eye Loyalty Platform (MyPerks), driving product roadmap, coordinating with engineering teams, and managing a team of 30+ members while ensuring seamless integration with Oracle Retail v24 systems.
Impact
Key Outcomes
- Successfully launched platform with zero downtime during migration
- Implemented agile release management with quarterly deployments
- Optimized platform performance and operational health across retail systems
Mission-Critical Retail Infrastructure - 99.999% Uptime Achievement
John Lewis PLC (via Capgemini)
Challenge
John Lewis PLC required seamless transition of Oracle Retail TA infrastructure from legacy vendor while maintaining zero disruption during peak retail seasons.
Solution
Architected and executed comprehensive migration strategy, implementing proactive monitoring systems, performance optimization frameworks, and leading high-performing Oracle Retail TA/DBA COE team through complex deployment cycles.
Impact
Key Outcomes
- Achieved industry-leading 99.999% uptime for Oracle Middleware and Database stacks
- Executed flawless peak season capacity planning for Oracle Retail and Blue Yonder JDA
- Mentored team to operational excellence through structured knowledge transfer
Database Performance Optimization - 30% Efficiency Improvement
Enterprise Retail Client (via TCS)
Challenge
Large-scale retail operations suffering from database performance bottlenecks, causing operational delays and increasing infrastructure costs.
Solution
Conducted comprehensive 360-degree analysis of 90+ database parameters, drafted performance tuning strategy, and led team of 10 DBAs to implement optimization frameworks with OEM 13c monitoring.
Impact
Key Outcomes
- Improved overall database efficiency by 30% through strategic performance tuning
- Configured proactive monitoring reducing incident response time by 50%
- Developed PIPs that maximized team utilization and skill development
Cloud Migration & Automation - Oracle Private to Public Cloud
Oracle
Challenge
Multiple customer environments requiring migration from Oracle Private Cloud to Public Cloud while maintaining business continuity and improving operational efficiency.
Solution
Led implementation of new ORMB environment, architected migration strategy for Fusion Middleware and WebLogic clusters, and automated routine operational tasks to improve system reliability.
Impact
Key Outcomes
- Successfully migrated databases to Oracle Public Cloud with zero data loss
- Automated TPW restarts, OHS bounces, and BIP restarts improving efficiency
- Established complete dev-to-production deployment pipeline
Recognition & Credentials
Validated expertise through industry recognition and continuous learning
Awards
- 🏆
2× Accenture APEX Awards (2020)
Growth and Client Delivery categories
- 🏆
3× Cheers Awards
Project excellence and client recognition
- 🏆
4× WOW Yearly Awards (KPIT)
Outstanding contribution and delivery
Certifications
Oracle Certified Associate
Oracle Expert Certified
AWS Cloud Practitioner
AWS Solutions Architect
PGP Cloud Computing
Product Management PMI
Insights & Perspectives
Sharing learnings from the field
Articles Coming Soon
I'm currently preparing insights on retail transformation, product management at scale, and building high-performing teams. Check back soon for deep dives into real-world challenges and solutions.
Let's Work Together
Whether you're looking to transform retail operations, scale your product team, or discuss digital strategy—I'd love to connect.