Aakash Vaghani
Program Manager II at Rivian
Keeping the World Adventurous Forever
My fascination with processes, operations, and project management started with my final year project at the end of my bachelor's degree. We spent a year on the shop floor of a local manufacturing firm - performing time and work studies and developing a value stream map. We then went onto publish the research in the spring of 2020.

Originally from Mumbai, I got my Bachelor's in Technology in Mechanical Engineering from one of India's oldest and premier engineering institutes - VJTI. The four years helped me develop my skills in problem solving and systems thinking. 

Most of my work experience has been in a start-up environment. This has shaped my approach towards teamwork and problem-solving: scrappy, agile, and results-oriented. As somebody who cherishes responsibility, I do not shy away from taking initiative, going the extra mile, or taking complete ownership of any project.

Outside of work, I'm a consumer tech geek (Dave2D is the best Tech Youtuber and this is not up for debate). I also enjoy hiking, good food and living life minimastically.

Feel free to reach out if I can be of any help! Also open to discussing good management practices or recent developments in technology.
Rivian
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rivian
Program Manager II
Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever.
We believe there is a more responsible way to explore the world and are determined to make the transition to sustainable transportation an exciting one. We designed our emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles to challenge what’s possible. We hope they inspire you to do the same.

Primary responsibilties are 1. Project Management - including 
cross-funtional stakeholder management, change implementation and risk management. 2. 
Operations Management - helping ensure accurate data flow and adequate business 
processes for a manufacturing organization. 3. Data Analytics and Visualization - 
analysing business data for reporting and driving business priorities
Irvine, California, United States
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Rivian
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rivian
Project Management Operations Intern
Department: Strategic Programs

-Worked across Program Management, Product Lifecycle Management, Change Management and DevOps teams

-Part of the team responsible for developing company-wide issues management process

-Assisted project manager in leading discussions and decisions surrounding the governance of attributes in Engineering Bill of Materials

-Responsible for creating and updating training documentation for new PLM functionality in ENOVIA / CATIA
Durham, North Carolina, United States
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Duke APD Consulting Club
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dukeconsulting
Student Consultant
-Consulted Global Fencing Masters, an online sports coaching starts up founded by Olympic Fencing Coach
 
-Developed a product design plan including a user interface for the sports coaching platform. Researched existing tools on the market to recommend the most suitable tool.
 
- Created a go-to-market strategy to increase number of customers
Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area
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Duke MEMPDC Consulting Club
https://www.linkedin.com/company/duke-mempdc-consulting-club
Project Manager
-Performed research in the upcoming blockchain ventures for a Lousiana-based start-up Ziuli, a SaaS company focusing on using AI and blockchain to develop a HR training platform.
-Developed a competitive strategy for the firm including a competitive radar analysis
Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area
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Snackible
https://www.linkedin.com/company/snackible
Operations Intern
-Intern at the Operations Department at Snackible, an FMCG brand with both retail and online presence.

-During the course of summer, I played an active role in the scaling if the start by helping it achieve around a 1.5X order fulfillment rate. This was achieved by improving the inventory management, order packaging process and making changes in the CRM.   Moreover, the flexible nature of the intern allowed me to work in customer relations as well as the IT department.
Mumbai Area, India
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Master of Engineering Management (MEM)
Duke University
https://www.linkedin.com/school/duke-university/
Teaching Assistant, Project Management 560
Teaching Assistant, Marketing in High Tech Industries, 510

Courses: Marketing, Finance, Project Management, Operations Management, Competitive Strategies, Data Visualization, Management, Marketing Analytics

Activities: Rotman International Trading Competition, Finance Club (Robinhood Investment Group), MEM Consulting Club, Duke APD Consulting Club.
1st Place, Consulting Case Competition
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Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor of Technology - BTech
Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI)
https://www.linkedin.com/school/veermata-jijabai-technological-institute/
From being the Chief Coordinator at DLA in sophommore (2016-17), I was selected as the Secretary for the 2017-18 term. 
My responsibilities included end to end management of all literary activities at VJTI including, but not limited to, organising quizzes & book clubs, publishing the official newsletter of VJTI, managing the finances, administration as well as marketing. 
In order to carry out the above activities, I led a team of 30+ dedicated individuals.
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Advanced Business Communication
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Industrial Engineering
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Manufacturing Planning and Control
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Manufacturing Processes
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Manufacturing Technology
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Project Management
EGRMGMT 560
Supply Chain Management
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Competitive Strategies
EGRMGMT 587
Finance in High Tech Industries
EGRMGMT 530
Management
EGRMGMT 540
Marketing
EGTMGMT 510
Marketing Analytics
EGRMGMT 590
Operations Management
EGRMGMT 562
Process Improvement Using Value Stream Mapping
Created and Analysed a Current State Map of the factory and subsequently drafted recommendations for a potential Future State Map with a 50% reduction in lead time and an increase in % Value added time from 0.139% to 0.296%.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oO6wJF4OkNthV9gwnMHvLOwPfqGlKxJe/view?usp=sharing
Smart Dustbin
As a part of the Society of Robotics & Automations's summer mentorship program Eklavya, we designed and fabricated a Smart Dustbin that could potentially segregate Biodegradable and Non Biodegradable waste.
http://www.linkedin.com/learning/learning-jira-software-3
Learning Jira Software
www.linkedin.com
LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/learning/power-bi-essential-training-3
Power BI Essential Training
www.linkedin.com
LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/learning/agile-new-product-development-for-manufacturers
Agile New Product Development for Manufacturers
www.linkedin.com
LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/learning/negotiation-skills
Negotiation Skills
www.linkedin.com
LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/learning/developing-executive-presence
Developing Executive Presence
www.linkedin.com
LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/learning/sheryl-sandberg-and-adam-grant-on-option-b-building-resilience
Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant on Option B: Building Resilience
www.linkedin.com
LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/learning/tableau-essential-training-2
Tableau Essential Training
www.linkedin.com
LinkedIn
ude.my/UC-EZXIWLDL
Python Certification
UC-EZXIWLDL
Udemy
http://ude.my/UC-VWZI8K5O
Lean Management and Manufacturing
UC-VWZI8K5O
ude.my
Six Sigma Academy Amsterdam
https://www.coursera.org/account/accomplishments/verify/P64ZPN82RJ4P
Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills
P64ZPN82RJ4P
www.coursera.org
Coursera
https://www.coursera.org/account/accomplishments/verify/6ZQBLWHE8N37
Entrepreneurship 1: Developing the Opportunity
6ZQBLWHE8N37
www.coursera.org
Coursera
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shagunrsharma
Shagun Sharma
Business Analyst | Barclays
New York, NY
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-hunter-63a738122
Alana Hunter
Coordinator at Twentieth Century Fox Television
Los Angeles County, CA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daria-jackson-44360a136
Daria Jackson
Property Administrator at Pendulum Property Partners
Irvine, CA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bharadwaj97
Anirudha (Andy) Bharadwaj
I build Products by day and study stars by night
Chicago, IL
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrunalv
Mrunal Vaidya
Technical Product Management and Delivery at W.R.Berkley | Duke'20
Chantilly, VA
https://in.linkedin.com/in/sumedhamathane
Sumedha Mathane
Graduate from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute
Mumbai
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shubhamek
Shubham Ekatpure
Supply chain | Semiconductor packaging| OEM and ODM management
Horsham, PA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseytdunn
Casey Dunn
Manager, Battery Pack Integration at Rivian
Irvine, CA
https://in.linkedin.com/in/viplove-tirkey-145247212
Viplove Tirkey
--
New Delhi
https://in.linkedin.com/in/parul-bhatnagar
Parul Bhatnagar
Relationship Manager   - Corporate Banking
Bengaluru
https://in.linkedin.com/in/anmolmj
Anmol Mahesh Jindal
JSW | IIFT | Lean Six Sigma Green Belt | _Vois Vantage Winner | Hero Campus Challenge Finalist | Godrej | VJTI
Mumbai
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisahayden25
Lisa Nicholson
Construction Project Manager | Architect | Rivian
San Francisco, CA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yara-nasrallah
Yara Nasrallah
Senior Technical Project Manager at Rivian
Los Angeles, CA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhishek8pandey
Abhishek Pandey
Business Intelligence Engineer at Rivian
Irvine, CA
https://in.linkedin.com/in/tejashegde
Tejas Hegde
Product Engineer at Deloitte India (Offices of the US)
Mumbai
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melodyvo
Melody Vo
Staff Technical Project Manager - Energy Storage Systems at Rivian
Sunnyvale, CA
https://in.linkedin.com/in/lalit-jadhav
Lalit Jadhav
Analyst at Deloitte | VJTI
Mumbai
https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-adame
Julian Adame
Enablement Trainer, Better Real Estate at Better
Newport Beach, CA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anushree21
Anushree Sharma
Supply Chain Integrations Analyst at Rivian
San Jose, CA
https://in.linkedin.com/in/adit-akerkar-%E3%82%A2%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%83%88-128b59137
Adit Akerkar (アディト)
Assistant Manager at Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd.
Global Sourcing
JLPT N2
Mumbai
Nora Gessert
      
          



            
              
        
              
  

    
        Aakash was my intern at Rivian where is was integral to the redesign of the issues management system. Aakash took the lead on many of the tasks and understood the speed with which Rivian moves. In addition, Aakash was great at working across functions and assisting with other projects. If Aakash was unfamiliar with something, he made sure to learn. Aakash is self motivating and is not shy about speaking up and contributing to the conversation. Aakash would be a huge asset to any team and it was a pleasure to work with him. Gabriel Moura
      
          



            
              
        
              
  

    
        I had the pleasure of mentoring Aakash during his internship with Rivian. In a short 3 months, Aakash made a massive impact on our department by streamlining processes and directly attributing to efficient changes. Aakash is extremely high performing in fast paced environments and applies his expertise in a seamless way. Aakash is well liked and makes an impact through relationships, while quantifiably bringing massive value on a daily basis. Aakash is a well-educated, applicable, and valuable individual that I highly recommend.
We're hiring!! Checkout the various roles at Ripple. I'll be happy to answer any questions.
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After what feels like a long wait, here I am starting my new role as a Product Manager at Quantum Assurance InternationalI would be remiss if I…
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Hey Guys, we are half way through Shark Tank India and my personal views on this are as below:-A) There is an India which is like 1% of India which…
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Aakash Vaghani
https://in.linkedin.com/in/aakash-vaghani-36169465
a
Surat
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Duke Project Management Community of Practice
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Duke University Master of Engineering Management Program (MEMP)
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Lean Six Sigma
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Duke Engineering - Pratt School of Engineering
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Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute, Matunga
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F1 visa Job Seekers
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WSJ Noted. Adviser Network
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DukeGEN - The Duke Global Entrepreneurship Network - Main Group
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Procurement Professionals - Best in class
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Duke University Graduate School
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Duke University Alumni Network
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Duke MEMP Consulting Club
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Harvard Business Review Discussion Group
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