This week we speak with Janaki Mehta from Orica. Janaki is a highly focused and diligent professional with over 16 years of analytical, functional, technical, change and project management experience on implementation and business transformation projects. Janaki is capable of successfully managing multiple tasks/projects, resources, conflicting requirements while delivering high quality solutions. She is a conceptual and strategic thinker with excellent negotiation, decision making and stakeholder management skills. Read on to learn more about Janaki's career in SAP and her thoughts on equality in the workplace...

Tell us about your current role?

IT Project Manager in a global mining services organisation managing key technology and SAP projects.

What inspired you to have a career in SAP? 

I completed my Bachelors in Business/Information Systems from Monash University and took up SAP as one of the elective subjects. My first role after graduating was with a global consulting organisation and my first project was supporting a SAP implementation through their challenges. A career in SAP continues to inspire me as I could work across different business functions and see the benefit of how technology can change/benefit a business process. A career in SAP has also provided me the opportunity to work in global organisations across multiple industries.

Which SAP modules have been most useful in your business and why?

Across all the businesses I have worked with the Finance (FI/CO) module is at the core of SAP; yet with the different industries other relevant modules/areas are key. Supply Chain which is key to the global businesses is supported by Sales & Distribution (SD) and Materials Management (MM) modules extensively. Manufacturing industries use Production Planning (PP), Project Systems (PS), Plant Maintenance (PM) and also Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) modules.

Tell us about your career journey in tech / SAP to date?

I started my career in SAP after graduating; my first role was with a global consulting organisation on a SAP project. Consulting gave me the opportunity to work across different industries; across different SAP modules and across different regions in the globe. I worked in manufacturing, utilities, retail and mining/resources industries.

I have since moved onto working in a product/services based organisations in varied SAP roles from a business perspective. Supporting smaller initiatives/requirements, delivering company wide programs to being part of business transformation projects.

Overall I started my journey in SAP in a technical capacity, moving to techno-functional, analytical and then to leadership roles. The technical and functional knowledge helps me immensely while delivering Projects.

What is the best thing about working in SAP technology? 

SAP technology gives you the opportunity to work in varied roles; it is also evolving to support varied business needs. It also provides a view of how an end to end business process is supported by SAP.

How can we be more inclusive in the recruitment process to promote wider diversity? 

Transparency is key to be able to promote wider diversity during the recruitment process. Asking more broader questions as to how an organisation can support on a daily basis; e.g. if flexible work arrangements are a requirement.

What advice would you give you to a women working in the SAP ecosystem and looking to advance her career?

SAP provides diverse career options; it is to keep taking up opportunities as they come along; understanding where your interests lie and then keep moving towards that goal.

What can we all do to inspire more women into working with SAP?

Lead by example! With more women working in technology and leadership roles; organisations promoting gender diversity, it is all playing a part to inspire and support women into working with SAP.

What female inspiration have you had in your career?

I have reported into female leaders throughout my career who have inspired me to push through challenges and keep moving forward. They have supported, trusted and had faith in my abilities which has inspired me to go further.