Varun Rai

About Varun Rai

A seasoned professional with +18 years of proven success in Project Management, Plant Automation & Digitalization, Manufacturing Excellence, Utility Operations & Maintenance. Over the years, I have led projects from design and planning through execution, ensuring compliance with global standards while delivering sustainable business impact.My expertise spans electricals, controls, automation, factory cybersecurity, and digital engineering, with hands-on experience in plant and utility maintenance. I leverage modern practices such as Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, Kaizen, GMP, HACCP, HAZOP, and Industry 4.0 initiatives to optimize workflows, enhance efficiency, and drive profitability. I’ve successfully delivered productivity and frugal automation projects, prepared digital strategy roadmaps, and implemented solutions like digital twin, AI, industrial automation, and visual factory to future-proof operations.As a subject matter expert in electricals, controls, and digital transformation, I collaborate with multiple sites and regional teams to evaluate emerging technologies, strengthen cybersecurity, and integrate smart manufacturing practices. My passion lies in bridging manufacturing excellence with digital innovation, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and resilience.

Experience

1. Project Manager-electrical,control & Automation Digital Engineering

   Mars

   Apr 2024 — Present · Pune, IN

   Prepare road map for control & digital strategy for India cluster sites & implement the action. Also support the India cluster factories in terms of factory IT networking, cyber security, and digital engineering initiatives as per industries 4.0 std. •Responsible for design, planning and execution of relevant projects in the electricals, controls & automation as well as digital engineering field. •Ensure all projects comply to site controls strategy and internal and external electrical standards and mandates. Also, update the Control standards & processes at the factory taking into account the Mars Standards and the continuous adaptation to existing standards of prior equipment.•During the project execution, coordinates the contractors, prepares and monitors operational plans and manages the cost. •Being subject matter expert on electrical & controls, support site engineering on issues related to electrical & controls. •Evaluate and test new control technologies to increase efficiency and reduce installation costs Responsible for are compliance with Mars standards as well as all relevant regulations such as CE, ISO9001 / 14001, etc. At the same time, ensures that all directives on occupational safety, hygiene and fire protection are met. •Participate in regional and global factory-IT infrastructure related projects to ensure valuable input and deliverables. •To be subject matter expert related to factory IT networking and digital initiative and support the site engineering on the same. •In consultation with global /regional engineering expert, to develop the solution related to digital initiatives as per industries 4.0 standard like digital twin-AI, Industrial Automation, visual factory etc. and implement the same. •To have regular connect with global digital expert to understand the latest development on controls & automation and prepare plan to implement the same.

Education

• UP Technical University, Lucknow

  Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.), Electrical and Electronics Engineering

  2001 — 2005

• Indian Institute of Management Rohtak

  Project Management

• Hindu Inter College, Zamania, Ghazipur

  Secondary Education, PCM

Skills

• Management
• Engineering
• Microsoft Word
• Teaching
• Customer Service
• Microsoft Office
• Troubleshooting
• Microsoft Excel
• Powerpoint
• Outlook
• Strategic Planning
• English
• Budgets
• Public Speaking
• Supply Chain Management
• Process Scheduler
• Factory