SAI KARTHIK PONNAPALLI

Operations Associate

Hyderabad, Telangana, India4 yrs 2 mos experience

Key Highlights

  • Hands-on experience in plant maintenance and project execution.
  • Strong ability to manage operations under pressure.
  • Keen focus on transitioning to strategic decision-making roles.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a Mechanical Engineer with expertise in Operations and Supply Chain Management in the Chemical and Pharmaceutical sectors.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Project ManagementMaintenance

Other Skills

PEBASQMaintenance & RepairPlant MaintenanceSAPMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft OfficeMATLAB

About

Mechanical Engineer from VNIT Nagpur with hands-on experience in plant maintenance and project execution across the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. At Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd, I worked in continuous process environments, focusing on preventive maintenance, equipment reliability, and plant performance optimization. This role strengthened my ability to manage operations under pressure while ensuring safety, efficiency, and uptime. At Granules CZRO Private Limited, I was involved in the execution of a pilot plant project, where I handled equipment procurement, vendor coordination, SEZ compliance, and commissioning support. This experience provided end-to-end exposure to project execution and strengthened my ability to work across cross-functional teams in a fast-paced setup. I will be joining Symbiosis Institute of Operations Management (SIOM), Nashik, to further strengthen my expertise in Operations and Supply Chain Management. I am keen to build a career in Operations, Supply Chain, and Project Management across FMCG, e-commerce, and manufacturing sectors, where I can leverage my experience in execution, structured problem-solving, and cross-functional coordination to drive operational excellence. Currently, I am preparing for my MBA journey at SIOM, with a clear focus on building a strong foundation in operations and supply chain management and transitioning from execution-focused roles to strategic, data-driven decision-making positions.

Experience

4 yrs 2 mos
Total Experience
1 yr 6 mos
Average Tenure
1 yr 2 mos
Current Experience

Career break

Professional development

Mar 2025Present · 1 yr 2 mos · Hyderabad, Telangana

  • After resigning from my role to pursue further growth, I have been actively upskilling through a Business Analyst course at 360DigiTMG. I am learning tools like Excel, SQL, Python, Tableau, and Power BI to build capabilities in data interpretation and decision-making. This phase is helping me align my mechanical engineering and project execution background with analytics-driven operations and supply chain management, preparing me for my MBA journey and future roles.

Granules india limited

Assistant Manager

Jul 2023Dec 2024 · 1 yr 5 mos · Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India · On-site

  • Granules Czro Private Limited | Project Engineer – Pilot Plant Setup
  • Location: Parawada, Anakapalle District
  • Developed a detailed understanding of the pilot plant process to support efficient project execution.
  • Collaborated with engineering consultants and equipment manufacturers to design equipment as per process requirements.
  • Assisted the civil engineering department in site preparation, including land clearing and boundary wall construction.
  • Engaged with multiple equipment vendors, shared design data sheets, obtained quotations, conducted technical evaluations, and finalized vendors based on optimized pricing, delivery timelines, and quality standards.
  • Managed SAP-based material procurement, including the creation of new material codes, purchase requisitions (PRs), and service orders.
  • Led the setup of the pilot plant office within containerized units, overseeing vendor identification, design finalization, procurement, installation, and infrastructure readiness (electrical, AC, water, and smart conference setup).
  • Facilitated PEB structural erection by coordinating with vendors and ensuring timely equipment installation in parallel.
  • Coordinated with the supply chain team for SEZ activities, ensuring the smooth entry of equipment through SEZ gates, as the plant was located in a Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
  • Supervised the commissioning phase, addressing mechanical challenges, procuring spare parts, and ensuring the plant's operational efficiency.
  • Provided SAP training to team members, including PR creation, service order processing, and material code management.
  • Cleared service bills for vendors and contractors after thorough verification of completed work.
Project ManagementPEB

Deepak fertilisers and petrochemicals corp. ltd.

2 roles

Maintenance Engineer

Nov 2021Jun 2023 · 1 yr 7 mos · Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India · On-site

  • Mechanical Shift In-Charge | NPK Fertilizer Plant (Solid Handling Unit)
  • After completing my training at the Nitric Acid Plant, I was posted as a Mechanical Shift In-Charge at the NPK Fertilizer Plant — a solid handling facility. I was responsible for supervising and coordinating shift-level mechanical maintenance activities to ensure uninterrupted plant operations.
  • Key responsibilities and experience:
  • Oversaw the maintenance of critical equipment such as conveyor systems, elevator buckets, rotary drums, draft fans, and solid handling pumps.
  • Guided technicians in executing maintenance tasks including belt alignment and replacement, rotary drum inspection, and draft fan lubrication and balancing, ensuring safety and quality compliance.
  • Participated in TPM and 5S initiatives to promote equipment reliability and workplace discipline.
  • Monitored and closed maintenance notifications in SAP, ensuring proper documentation and timely follow-up.
  • Handled inventory planning by raising Purchase Requisitions (PRs), initiating material code creation, and coordinating with the stores team for critical spares.
  • Coordinated manpower deployment during regular shifts and critical situations like equipment breakdowns and shutdowns.
  • Played an active role in shutdown planning, helping prioritize tasks such as fan overhauls and major mechanical inspections.
  • Conducted LLF (Look, Listen, Feel) checks to proactively identify early signs of mechanical wear or issues.
  • Maintained a strong track record of high KPI ratings in every performance review, reflecting consistent contribution to plant reliability, safety, and efficiency.
  • This role strengthened my leadership, troubleshooting, and planning abilities within a high-demand manufacturing environment.
ASQMaintenance & RepairMaintenance

Graduate Engineering Trainee

Nov 2020Jan 2022 · 1 yr 2 mos · Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India · On-site

  • Graduate Engineering Trainee – Mechanical Maintenance | Nitric Acid Plant
  • During my tenure as a Graduate Engineering Trainee at the Nitric Acid Plant, I gained hands-on experience and a solid understanding of mechanical maintenance in a highly corrosive environment. I studied the overall process flow of nitric acid and concentrated nitric acid preparation, focusing on the mechanical equipment involved.
  • Key learnings and responsibilities included:
  • Exposure to critical equipment such as pumps, mechanical seals, boiler pumps, and compressor trains.
  • Understanding challenges of high corrosion affecting mechanical seals and implementing measures to enhance reliability.
  • Active involvement in compressor maintenance activities, including rotor replacement and diaphragm cleaning.
  • Coordinated manpower planning and resource management during compressor rotor replacement shutdown, effectively managing constraints during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Assisted with sandblasting components, recording operational readings, and ensuring adherence to safety and quality standards.
  • Utilized SAP for maintenance planning, work order management, and tracking.
  • Executed and coordinated preventive, breakdown, and shutdown maintenance activities.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to optimize manpower allocation and job planning for efficient shutdown operations.
ASQMaintenance

Rashtriya ispat nigam limited (rinl)

Winter Intern

Dec 2018Dec 2018 · 0 mo · Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

  • Internship Experience at Vizag Steel Plant
  • During my internship at Vizag Steel Plant, I gained hands-on exposure to the steel manufacturing process, starting from iron ore to finished steel products. This experience helped me understand plant operations, workflow optimization, and safety practices in a large-scale industrial setup.
  • Plant Layout:
  • I studied the layout of the plant, which includes raw material handling, blast furnace, coke ovens, steel melting shop, rolling mills, and finishing units. Understanding the spatial arrangement and workflow helped me appreciate how efficient material flow and minimized bottlenecks improve productivity.
  • Steel Manufacturing Process:
  • I observed the entire process of steel production: iron ore receiving, crushing, and screening; blast furnace operations where iron ore is converted to molten iron using coke; refining molten iron into steel through basic oxygen furnace (BOF) or electric arc furnace (EAF); continuous casting of steel slabs; and final rolling and finishing. This gave me practical insights into each critical stage of steel making.
  • Safety Precautions:
  • Safety is paramount in such a hazardous environment. I learned about the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) like helmets, gloves, safety glasses, and flame-resistant clothing. I was briefed on safe handling of molten metal, heavy machinery, and chemicals, along with fire safety measures and emergency protocols. I also participated in safety drills and inspections, reinforcing the importance of compliance with industrial safety standards.
  • Outcome:
  • This internship bridged theory with practical knowledge, sharpening my understanding of manufacturing processes, plant layout optimization, and rigorous safety practices. The experience has strengthened my skills in industrial operations and prepared me for a future role in manufacturing and operations management.
ASQ

Education

Symbiosis Institute of Operations Management - SIOM

Master of Business Administration

Jan 2026Jan 2028

Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology

Bachelor of Technology - BTech — Mechanical Engineering

Jan 2016Jan 2020

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