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Ahmad Bekdash

@ahmadbekdash

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Engineering Program Manager at Cisco leading programs for Crosswork AI and three network products.

Sweden

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At Cisco, I lead end-to-end program management for four products: Crosswork AI, Network Services Orchestrator, Crosswork Workflow Manager, and Crosswork Workflow Solutions.

At IFS, I led the Program Management function in Infrastructure Services, overseeing a team of about 50 across four squads. I also directed initiatives delivering enhancements to the IFS core ERP product and oversaw IFS Cloud deployments across cloud and hybrid environments.

At IKEA, through CASTRA and IBM, I led cross-functional teams across digital and e-commerce streams. I owned cutover, deployment, and release planning, and supported the deployment of the e-commerce solution across global markets.

Across IBM and independent consulting engagements, I delivered projects in retail, supply chain, banking, telecom, and insurance. My work has included ERP implementations, system testing, cutover planning, and delivery of the Liberty Insurance Portal.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Engineering Program Manager

Current

Cisco

Jun 2024 - Present (2 years 5 months)

Lead end-to-end program management activities for four Cisco products including Crosswork AI, Network Services Orchestrator, and Crosswork Workflow Manager.

Program Management Agentic AI Crosswork AI Network Services Orchestrator Crosswork Workflow Manager Crosswork Workflow Solutions

Director of Program Management

IFS

Jul 2022 - May 2024 (1 year 10 months)

Led the Program Management function within the Infrastructure Services division, overseeing a team of ~50 members across 4 squads. Directed multiple cross-functional initiatives delivering critical enhancements to the IFS core ERP product.

Program Management Team Leadership Cross functional Coordination ERP IFS Cloud Azure AWS GCP Private Cloud Hybrid cloud Continuous Improvement Process Improvement

Project Manager / Cutover Manager

IKEA

Apr 2020 - Jun 2022 (2 years 2 months)

Led 12+ cross-functional teams delivering daily operations and implementation activities across multiple digital and e-commerce streams. Owned and executed cutover, deployment, and release planning across all IKEA environments.

Project Management Cutover Management Deployment Planning Release Management Agile Jira Stakeholder Management Risk Tracking Continuous Improvement

Project Manager / Test Manager

IBM

Nov 2010 - Mar 2020 (9 years 4 months)

Led end-to-end project delivery at IBM across Retail, Supply Chain, Banking and Telecom sectors. Served as Project Delivery Executive, Project Manager, Cutover Manager and Test Manager, managing ERP implementations, cutover strategies, and system testing phases.

Project Management Test Management ERP Implementation Cutover Management Agile Waterfall Hybrid Methodologies Stakeholder Management

Delivery Lead

Liberty IT

Led two Scrum teams delivering the Liberty Insurance Portal. Managed PI planning, sprint planning, retros, standups, financial management, and status reporting.

Scrum Agile PI Planning Sprint Planning Financial Management Status Reporting Agentic AI Jira

Business Cutover Manager

Alshaya Group

Led the rollout, cutover, and migration of Oracle SIOCS and Warehouse Management Systems across Al Shaya's flagship brands in the GCC and Egypt. Managed end-to-end cutover planning, including rehearsals, execution, and detailed runbooks.

Cutover Management Oracle SCEIS Warehouse Management Systems Migration Run Books Incident Tracking Status Reporting

Cutover Manager Consultant

HCLTech

Developed comprehensive cutover methodologies and execution plans for HCLTech / IKEA MHS Cutover. Partnered with enterprise sales and solutioning teams to translate complex supply chain and digital requirements into winning implementation proposals.

Cutover Management Migration Planning Risk Management Supply Chain Digital Transformation Solutioning