Vishnu Shankar S

Naval veteran specializing in operations with 11+ years of experience in strategy, project management, and leadership with expertise in data analysis, software engineering and leading cross-functional teams in international missions.

Work Experience

Assistant Director (Internal Consultant, Strategy, Data Analysis) | Indian Naval Tactical Evaluations Group | Mumbai

  • Led the digitalization, automation and streamlining of data-analysis procedures for sensitive data, to reduce manipulation and analysis time by 97%
  • Assisted in the development of in-house data analysis tools deployed throughout the Navy. The tool was developed with inputs from numerous internal and external stakeholders, balancing requirements with robustness and scalability in mind.
  • While consulting for the Operations wing of the Navy, authored a disruptive paper that optimized the search efficiency of maritime aircraft by 70%, revolutionizing the way sea surveillance is carried out by the Indian Navy and contributing to maritime safety and security. 
  • Pioneered the use of PowerBI, Excel macros/ dashboards, and Python on 7 years of data to provide data-driven insights to combat units for effective sensor utilization and strategy formulation. 
  • Conducted detailed feasibility analyses through Python simulations for the strategic use of assets (ships, submarines, and aircraft) to ensure national security.
  • Coordinated formulation of and authored seminal tactical doctrines, revamped after 17 years, for strategic use of naval assets.


Chief Operations Officer/ Operations Officer/ Aviation Officer | Frontline Naval Warships | Mumbai

  • Successfully led over 40 successful deployment projects, including national and multinational events such as Galwan Clash, Cyclone Tauktae, abrogation of Article 370, the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring optimized asset utilization with a 95% success rate.
  • Planned and executed one of the longest anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden by the Indian Navy, spanning 110 days away from India. This involved coordination with multiple stakeholders, including foreign Navies. 
  • Spearheaded pivotal anti-narcotic mission in the Arabian Sea, reshaping regional operations and resulting in Navy intercepting billions worth of narcotics.
  • Coordinated and orchestrated complex multinational exercises with Qatari, German, and French Navies. Deployed across 13+ countries on multiple missions which required coordinated efforts among diverse multi-national teams, ensuring alignment and cooperation towards common goals.
  • Planned and conducted over 80 aircraft missions with 100% safety rate with nil incidents as Cat ‘B’ aircraft controller overseeing helicopters, surveillance and fighter aircraft of both Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.
  • Mentored over 40 junior officers during their professional training and demonstrated training skills, and consistently led teams of 10-30 personnel.
  • Managed procurement operations through Government e-Marketplace (GeM), ensuring the procurement and accounting of stores worth approximately INR 30 lakh within a year.
  • Optimized inventory levels of +500 SKUs by implementing demand forecasting techniques, resulting in minimum stockouts and smooth service operations.


Chief Executive Officer/ Commanding Officer | Minor War Vessel | Visakhapatnam

  • Handpicked to command a 12-crore minor war vessel, leading 20+ varied missions, including the protection of oil rigs on the Eastern Seaboard, achieving objectives within specified timelines and resource constraints.
  • Directed a lean team of 6 crew members, ensuring optimal performance, morale, and discipline under high-pressure situations.
  • Implemented training programs to enhance the skills and competencies of team members, resulting in improved operational efficiency and readiness.
  • Effectively managed emergency situations, ensuring the safety of crew and vessel. Identified and mitigated risks, ensuring mission success and crew safety.
  • Maintained a foreign manufactured ship at high operational readiness throughout the tenure, by optimal use of limited resources.
  • Maintained clear and effective communication with stakeholders (Oil Rigs, security organizations), higher command and allied units, ensuring seamless coordination and mission success.


Junior Software Engineer | UST | Kochi

  • Developed Software Solutions for Equator Inc., US-based client dealing with mortgages.
  • Implemented javascript and web browser-based solutions for quick code deployment, resulting in substantially reduced development timelines and awarded ‘Best Junior Developer’ for the innovation within two months of joining the project.
Accomplishments
  • Videsh Seva Medal: Awarded for 90+ consecutive days of deployment for anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden.
  • Six-Year Sea Service Medal: Awarded for 6+ years of distinguished service onboard warships.
  • Commandant’s Bronze Medal: Awarded for securing third position in Overall Order of Merit among 36 peers during ab-initio training in the Indian Navy Officers Training.
Education
  • MSc in Nautical Science and Tactical Operations, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kerala
  • Short-term courses on Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Operations, and Leadership at various Indian Naval Institutes nationwide between 2013-14
  • Naval Orientation Course, Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala
  • B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineer, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala
Certificates
  • Microsoft Certified Azure Cloud Fundamentals (AZ900): Microsoft
  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB): KPMG
  • Supply Chain Foundations: Project Management: PMI
  • Certified Helicopter and Aircraft Controller (Cat ‘B’): Indian Navy
  • Data Analytics with PowerBI: MILVEST & International Management Institute, Bhubaneshwar
  • MS Excel-based Decision Making: MILVEST & International Management Institute, Bhubaneshwar
Co/Extra-curricular
  • Expert illustrator: designed two full-fledged magazines (‘Ahoy’, ‘Year Book - 1st Training Squadron’) and one newsletter (‘Reflections’ - UST).
  • Content creator/reviewer: Contributed to multiple professional journals, newsletters and magazines.
  • App Development Initiative: Conceptualized, developed, and launched a mobile app as a personal pursuit, aimed to assist in the safe navigation of warships.
  • Avid runner and fitness enthusiast: Participated in multiple 10K and half marathons from 2012–2023.

Quick Look

  • Work Experience: 11.6 Years
  • Previous Roles

    Indian Navy
    UST

  • Function : General Management
    Operations/Logistics/Supply Chain
    Project/Program Management
    Strategy
  • Industry/Sector: Defence
    Technology
Work Experience

Assistant Director (Internal Consultant, Strategy, Data Analysis) | Indian Naval Tactical Evaluations Group | Mumbai

  • Led the digitalization, automation and streamlining of data-analysis procedures for sensitive data, to reduce manipulation and analysis time by 97%
  • Assisted in the development of in-house data analysis tools deployed throughout the Navy. The tool was developed with inputs from numerous internal and external stakeholders, balancing requirements with robustness and scalability in mind.
  • While consulting for the Operations wing of the Navy, authored a disruptive paper that optimized the search efficiency of maritime aircraft by 70%, revolutionizing the way sea surveillance is carried out by the Indian Navy and contributing to maritime safety and security. 
  • Pioneered the use of PowerBI, Excel macros/ dashboards, and Python on 7 years of data to provide data-driven insights to combat units for effective sensor utilization and strategy formulation. 
  • Conducted detailed feasibility analyses through Python simulations for the strategic use of assets (ships, submarines, and aircraft) to ensure national security.
  • Coordinated formulation of and authored seminal tactical doctrines, revamped after 17 years, for strategic use of naval assets.


Chief Operations Officer/ Operations Officer/ Aviation Officer | Frontline Naval Warships | Mumbai

  • Successfully led over 40 successful deployment projects, including national and multinational events such as Galwan Clash, Cyclone Tauktae, abrogation of Article 370, the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring optimized asset utilization with a 95% success rate.
  • Planned and executed one of the longest anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden by the Indian Navy, spanning 110 days away from India. This involved coordination with multiple stakeholders, including foreign Navies. 
  • Spearheaded pivotal anti-narcotic mission in the Arabian Sea, reshaping regional operations and resulting in Navy intercepting billions worth of narcotics.
  • Coordinated and orchestrated complex multinational exercises with Qatari, German, and French Navies. Deployed across 13+ countries on multiple missions which required coordinated efforts among diverse multi-national teams, ensuring alignment and cooperation towards common goals.
  • Planned and conducted over 80 aircraft missions with 100% safety rate with nil incidents as Cat ‘B’ aircraft controller overseeing helicopters, surveillance and fighter aircraft of both Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.
  • Mentored over 40 junior officers during their professional training and demonstrated training skills, and consistently led teams of 10-30 personnel.
  • Managed procurement operations through Government e-Marketplace (GeM), ensuring the procurement and accounting of stores worth approximately INR 30 lakh within a year.
  • Optimized inventory levels of +500 SKUs by implementing demand forecasting techniques, resulting in minimum stockouts and smooth service operations.


Chief Executive Officer/ Commanding Officer | Minor War Vessel | Visakhapatnam

  • Handpicked to command a 12-crore minor war vessel, leading 20+ varied missions, including the protection of oil rigs on the Eastern Seaboard, achieving objectives within specified timelines and resource constraints.
  • Directed a lean team of 6 crew members, ensuring optimal performance, morale, and discipline under high-pressure situations.
  • Implemented training programs to enhance the skills and competencies of team members, resulting in improved operational efficiency and readiness.
  • Effectively managed emergency situations, ensuring the safety of crew and vessel. Identified and mitigated risks, ensuring mission success and crew safety.
  • Maintained a foreign manufactured ship at high operational readiness throughout the tenure, by optimal use of limited resources.
  • Maintained clear and effective communication with stakeholders (Oil Rigs, security organizations), higher command and allied units, ensuring seamless coordination and mission success.


Junior Software Engineer | UST | Kochi

  • Developed Software Solutions for Equator Inc., US-based client dealing with mortgages.
  • Implemented javascript and web browser-based solutions for quick code deployment, resulting in substantially reduced development timelines and awarded ‘Best Junior Developer’ for the innovation within two months of joining the project.
Accomplishments
  • Videsh Seva Medal: Awarded for 90+ consecutive days of deployment for anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden.
  • Six-Year Sea Service Medal: Awarded for 6+ years of distinguished service onboard warships.
  • Commandant’s Bronze Medal: Awarded for securing third position in Overall Order of Merit among 36 peers during ab-initio training in the Indian Navy Officers Training.
Education
  • MSc in Nautical Science and Tactical Operations, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kerala
  • Short-term courses on Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Operations, and Leadership at various Indian Naval Institutes nationwide between 2013-14
  • Naval Orientation Course, Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala
  • B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineer, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala
Certificates
  • Microsoft Certified Azure Cloud Fundamentals (AZ900): Microsoft
  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB): KPMG
  • Supply Chain Foundations: Project Management: PMI
  • Certified Helicopter and Aircraft Controller (Cat ‘B’): Indian Navy
  • Data Analytics with PowerBI: MILVEST & International Management Institute, Bhubaneshwar
  • MS Excel-based Decision Making: MILVEST & International Management Institute, Bhubaneshwar
Co/Extra-curricular
  • Expert illustrator: designed two full-fledged magazines (‘Ahoy’, ‘Year Book - 1st Training Squadron’) and one newsletter (‘Reflections’ - UST).
  • Content creator/reviewer: Contributed to multiple professional journals, newsletters and magazines.
  • App Development Initiative: Conceptualized, developed, and launched a mobile app as a personal pursuit, aimed to assist in the safe navigation of warships.
  • Avid runner and fitness enthusiast: Participated in multiple 10K and half marathons from 2012–2023.