Mahendra Gokul
ICT Manager
Howick
Summary
Highly skilled ICT Manager with a proven track record in technical, risk, project management, budget, security, and supervisory roles. Excels in ensuring smooth operation of ICT systems and delivering services that enhance company efficiency and performance. Actively works with executives to determine, develop and manage the organisation's technology strategy and implement technology needs. Possesses extensive practical knowledge including complex systems builds, hardware and software testing, policy and procedure development, network support, technical support and project management. Successful at optimising security standards, improving planning processes and managing systems implementation. Knowledgeable about disaster recovery planning and testing. Strong organisational skills and active listening abilities enable effective communication with individuals at all levels of the organisation. Trains and oversees the dedicated ICT team to provide maintenance, troubleshooting and ICT support. Demonstrates excellent written and interpersonal skills evident in the quality of policies, procedures, and reports. Thrives in high-stress and demanding environments, whether working independently or collaboratively.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work History
ICT Manager
Vexila (Pty) Ltd
Pietermaritzburg
10.2019 - Current
- Provide vision, leadership and governance of the ICT department, ensuring alignment with the organisational goals and objectives
- Develop and promote ICT policies, procedures, practices and decisions, which recognise the current and evolving needs of all the stakeholders
- Monitor and manage the performance of IT-related systems and services, in respect of their contribution to business performance and benefits to the business
- Report on monthly activity at Manco level and quarterly to the Board of Directors
- Coordinate the development of key performance goals for functions and direct reports
- Document and articulate the IT strategy to the business leadership and provide periodic progress updates
- Develop performance measurements and tracking systems to ensure timely implementation of projects
- People Management - Lead, motivate and develop the capability of the ICT Team and the day-to-day management of the ICT department.
- Develop KPIs for ICT department and ensure they are aligned to the IT strategy and business objectives.
- Develop KPIs for the Security and Services department and ensure they are aligned to the security strategy of the company.
- Risk Management - Identifying all current and potential ICT and physical security risks and recommending mitigating strategies. Maintaining the ICT and Security departments risk registers and reporting on the top 5 risks at MANCO and board level, on a monthly basis.
- Budgeting and Cost Management - Planning, preparing and allocating the ICT departmental budget and reporting on deviations from budget.
- Evaluate and decide upon key investments in equipment and infrastructure
- Responsible for decision making in areas such as cost-saving options, e.g., outsourcing part of IT operations or moving from investment in fixed infrastructure to renting IT resources from external providers.
- Provide quarterly reports to the business leadership on IT expenditure vs budget.
- Technical Advisor - Advising ICT and security strategies that align with the company's goals and objectives. Assist with the selection and deployment of the right technologies. Assist with the planning, design and implementation of IT systems and infrastructure. Providing technical support for IT systems, including hardware and software.
- Oversee the technological infrastructure (networks, computer and communications systems) in the organisation to ensure optimal performance
- Security Project management - Overseeing and managing security projects.
- Monitor changes or advancements in technology to discover ways the company can gain competitive advantage
- Inspect the use of technological equipment and software to ensure functionality and efficiency
- Provide support to the IT team members about technical issues
- Keep abreast of latest technology and suggest improvements in the ICT area to management.
- Leading and driving a culture of innovation and creativity in seeking ICT solutions to organisational challenges
- Project Management - Plan, organise, direct and oversee all operations/ICT projects and evaluate them according to established goals to support the achievement of the business strategy
- Ensure that all projects are approved, budgeted for and properly documented, with clear deliverables and timelines agreed on by business units responsible and ICT department.
- Security - Develop security policies that protect the company's infrastructure and data from cybersecurity threats and data breaches, while ensuring the privacy of employees' personal information.
- Responsible for the Disaster and Recovery Management of the organisation to ensure service continuity in case of a disaster.
- Design and implement information security procedures based on best practice covering information system applications and infrastructure.
- Set up and maintain a detailed IT security function to enhance and improve compliance levels, as necessary.
- Ensure the security, privacy and regulatory compliance of all systems, including mobile and portable technology.
- Syspro ERP systems administrator
- Office 365 tenant administrator
- Network administration - Windows AD Hybrid - ( Azure and onsite)
- Communications network administrator
- SQL Administrator
- Advance user Office 2010, 2016, Office 365
- Develop and document workflows for different departments on SharePoint.
- Preparing and presenting monthly and quarterly ICT reports to Manco and Board of Directors.
- Develop and maintain service level agreements and contracts.
- Chair internal disciplinary hearings
- Avigilon CCTV camera administrator related functions.
- Provide Avigilon CCTV training to security personnel.
- Managed vendor relationships for hardware, software, and services procurement, ensuring quality products at competitive prices.
- Coordinated IT operations activities to deliver smooth flow of daily business needs.
- Championed employee IT training initiatives focused on enhancing Microsoft and Syspro skills and promoting best practices across the organisation.
- Lead the IT team in providing exceptional technical support, fostering a collaborative environment that promoted professional growth.
- Managed network and system performance, conducting troubleshooting, security patching, and maintenance.
- Evaluated emerging technologies to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement within the organisation''s IT landscape.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations to identify areas for improvement and develop targeted action plans for continuous enhancement of IT services.
- Implement robust backup strategies to safeguard critical data against loss or corruption, minimizing potential risks.
- Create and terminate user's accounts from start to finish in business applications.
- Contributed to the successful completion of numerous high-profile projects by providing expert guidance on technology strategy, infrastructure design, and implementation best practices.
- Championed employee IT training initiatives focused on enhancing Microsoft and Syspro skills and promoting best practices across the organisation.
- Promote collaboration between cross-functional teams by integrating disparate systems into unified platforms for improved communication and workflow efficiency.
- Delivere strategic guidance on technology investments by conducting thorough market research and presenting recommendations to senior leadership.
- Identify computer hardware and network system issues, performing troubleshooting techniques for remediation.
- Managed life cycle replacement of hardware and software.
ICT Manager
Pfisterer (Pty) Ltd
Pietermaritzburg
01.2003 - 09.2019
- Provide vision, leadership and governance of the ICT department, ensuring alignment with the organisational goals and objectives
- Develop and promote ICT policies, procedures, practices and decisions, which recognise the current and evolving needs of all the stakeholders
- Monitor and manage the performance of IT-related systems and services, in respect of their contribution to business performance and benefits to the business
- Report on monthly activity at Manco level and quarterly to the Board of Directors
- Coordinate the development of key performance goals for functions and direct reports
- Document and articulate the IT strategy to the business leadership and provide periodic progress updates
- Develop performance measurements and tracking systems to ensure timely implementation of projects
- People Management - Lead, motivate and develop the capability of the ICT Team and the day-to-day management of the ICT department.
- Develop KPIs for ICT department and ensure they are aligned to the IT strategy and business objectives.
- Develop KPIs for the Security and Services department and ensure they are aligned to the security strategy of the company.
- Risk Management - Identifying all current and potential ICT and physical security risks and recommending mitigating strategies. Maintaining the ICT and Security departments risk registers and reporting on the top 5 risks at MANCO and board level, on a monthly basis.
- Budgeting and Cost Management - Planning, preparing and allocating the ICT departmental budget and reporting on deviations from budget.
- Evaluate and decide upon key investments in equipment and infrastructure
- Responsible for decision making in areas such as cost-saving options, e.g., outsourcing part of IT operations or moving from investment in fixed infrastructure to renting IT resources from external providers.
- Provide quarterly reports to the business leadership on IT expenditure vs budget.
- Technical Advisor - Advising ICT and security strategies that align with the company's goals and objectives. Assist with the selection and deployment of the right technologies. Assist with the planning, design and implementation of IT systems and infrastructure. Providing technical support for IT systems, including hardware and software.
- Oversee the technological infrastructure (networks, computer and communications systems) in the organisation to ensure optimal performance
- Security Project management - Overseeing and managing security projects.
- Monitor changes or advancements in technology to discover ways the company can gain competitive advantage
- Inspect the use of technological equipment and software to ensure functionality and efficiency
- Provide support to the IT team members about technical issues
- Keep abreast of latest technology and suggest improvements in the ICT area to management.
- Leading and driving a culture of innovation and creativity in seeking ICT solutions to organisational challenges
- Project Management - Plan, organise, direct and oversee all operations/ICT projects and evaluate them according to established goals to support the achievement of the business strategy
- Ensure that all projects are approved, budgeted for and properly documented, with clear deliverables and timelines agreed on by business units responsible and ICT department.
- Security - Develop security policies that protect the company's infrastructure and data from cybersecurity threats and data breaches, while ensuring the privacy of employees' personal information.
- Responsible for the Disaster and Recovery Management of the organisation to ensure service continuity in case of a disaster.
- Design and implement information security procedures based on best practice covering information system applications and infrastructure.
- Set up and maintain a detailed IT security function to enhance and improve compliance levels, as necessary.
- Ensure the security, privacy and regulatory compliance of all systems, including mobile and portable technology.
- Syspro ERP systems administrator
- Office 365 tenant administrator
- Network administration - Windows AD Hybrid - ( Azure and onsite)
- Communications network administrator
- SQL Administrator
- Advance user Office 2010, 2016, Office 365
- Develop and document workflows for different departments on SharePoint.
- Preparing and presenting monthly and quarterly ICT reports to Manco and Board of Directors.
- Develop and maintain service level agreements and contracts.
- Chair internal disciplinary hearings
- Avigilon CCTV camera administrator related functions.
- Provide Avigilon CCTV training to security personnel.
- Managed vendor relationships for hardware, software, and services procurement, ensuring quality products at competitive prices.
- Coordinated IT operations activities to deliver smooth flow of daily business needs.
- Championed employee IT training initiatives focused on enhancing Microsoft and Syspro skills and promoting best practices across the organisation.
- Lead the IT team in providing exceptional technical support, fostering a collaborative environment that promoted professional growth.
- Managed network and system performance, conducting troubleshooting, security patching, and maintenance.
- Evaluated emerging technologies to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement within the organisation''s IT landscape.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations to identify areas for improvement and develop targeted action plans for continuous enhancement of IT services.
- Implement robust backup strategies to safeguard critical data against loss or corruption, minimizing potential risks.
- Create and terminate user's accounts from start to finish in business applications.
- Contributed to the successful completion of numerous high-profile projects by providing expert guidance on technology strategy, infrastructure design, and implementation best practices.
- Championed employee IT training initiatives focused on enhancing Microsoft and Syspro skills and promoting best practices across the organisation.
- Promote collaboration between cross-functional teams by integrating disparate systems into unified platforms for improved communication and workflow efficiency.
- Delivere strategic guidance on technology investments by conducting thorough market research and presenting recommendations to senior leadership.
- Identify computer hardware and network system issues, performing troubleshooting techniques for remediation.
- Managed life cycle replacement of hardware and software.
Senior Bookkeeper and IT Administrator
Hardware Assemblies (Pty) Ltd
Pietermaritzburg
10.1994 - 12.2002
- Creditors Clerk
- Capture, reconcile supplier invoices
- Deal with supplier queries
- Prepare variance reports
- Manage creditors clerk and debtor clerk
- Reconcile accounts up to balance sheet
- Bank reconciliations
- Balance sheet and general ledger recons
- Maintain Assets register
- Network administrator
- Syspro Administrator
- Maintain hardware and software on workstations
- Managed payroll processing and ensured accurate tax withholdings, benefit deductions, and employee reimbursements were applied.
Education
National Diploma - Financial Information Systems
UNISA
Online 01.2001 - 05.2006
Matriculated -
Howick Secondary School
Howick West 01.1992 - 12.1992
Skills
IT risk management
Personal Information
- Ethnicity: Indian Male
- Nationality: South African
- Driving License: Code 08
Timeline
ICT Manager
Vexila (Pty) Ltd
10.2019 - Current
ICT Manager
Pfisterer (Pty) Ltd
01.2003 - 09.2019
National Diploma - Financial Information Systems
UNISA
01.2001 - 05.2006
Senior Bookkeeper and IT Administrator
Hardware Assemblies (Pty) Ltd
10.1994 - 12.2002
Matriculated -
Howick Secondary School
01.1992 - 12.1992
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