James Karanja Maina Email & Phone Number

Kenya

Technology + Trading solutions.Two time finalist of the Central Bank of Kenya Hackathon in 2019 and 2020 amongst Fintech companies in Africa.

Nairobi

Implementing Navision ERP, Galaxy Air Cargo Freight software and automated ETVs at the JKIA Air Cargo Terminal.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Designed, developed and implemented the technology stack behind the Ghana Commodity Exchange in a record 3 months. The commodity exchange was launched by the President of Ghana on November 6, 2018.I was lead contractor on the project and implemented the trade engine, order management system and session management modules. Also did the project architecture, standardized APIs, cloud deployment and technical documentation for the project.

Mozambique

Companhia do Vanduzi SA (The Vanduzi Company) is a horticulture company whose parent company Mozfoods is among the 100 best companies operating in Mozambique. Companhia do Vanduzi is the among the largest growers & exporters of baby corn from Africa.Overall responsibility for the ICT department, supporting 100+ office employees spread over 2 farm locations in Mozambique, with supervision over IT staff and outsourced contractors.Major achievements include:- Designed and Implemented ICT Infrastructure Plan for entire business.- Successfully deployed 3 major fiber network projects, stabilized internet connectivity and set up firewall edge security.- Deployed a high speed 400mbps Wide Area Network over two sites 10 km apart.- Rationalized ICT communication including mobile phone provider contracts.- Re-implementing Sage Evolution ERP and overseeing integration with Muddy Boots farm management system.- Established IT staff development and training with key courses taken by IT staff.- Developed and is responsible for ICT budget of over USD 200,000 per annum.I report to the Managing Director.

Mombasa, Kenya

•Initiated review of key Harvest IT ERP modules and undertook critical data verification exercise across all departments. •I carried out various Requirement Change Proposals for the ERP system and successfully rolled out three major updates, resulting in increased confidence and usage of the system by users. •Successfully moved entire company to preferred mobile operator Safaricom at discounted rates of over 25%. •Rolled out redundant last mile fiber internet link with 20% faster speeds at same cost using MTN Business solutions. •Created Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Plan. •Created a simple 3 year ICT strategic plan for our company and presented the same to the board of directors. Implementation of the plan was completed in end of 2014, on time and on budget. •My primary role was to lead the ICT department while secondary role was to oversee the Harvest IT ERP system, and work with outsourced vendor to deliver on requirement change specifications that enhance business operations. •I directly managed an ICT budget of over USD $50,000 per year, including both CAPEX and OPEX.•I reported to the Finance Director and the Group ICT Manager with one IT staff directly reporting to me.

Naivasha - Nanyuki, Kenya

•I was part of a team that designed, programmed and rolled out an integrated flower stocks and order management system called HCOS (Homegrown Computerized Operations System) which is still in use to date.•Key role in HCOS involved compiling of user requirements, developing prototypes and pilot testing, and reviewing use cases and process maps for the system. I also wrote the documentation of the entire system. •In addition, I took part in the software development of its client server architecture and database including also its key modules such as the predictions module and orders replication utility. HCOS is currently live at over 5 regional offices and is used to manage flower production, handling and order for more than 200,000 flowers a week generating over USD $1 million in sales. •Provided input into setting up company IT policy standards specifically software development, system administration and documentation for internally developed software projects. •Provided helpdesk end-user support for software applications including EPICOR Scala ERP at the regional headquarters based at Kingfisher Farm, Naivasha, and also later on at IBIS Farm, Nanyuki. •Supported more than 100 users in different farms within the regions, and over 200 plus users company wide.

Itil Foundation Certificate In It Service Management, Pass With 88%

Higher Diploma, Management Information Systems

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist, Sql Server, .Net Windows And Web Development, Sharepoint, Windows Server Administration

Kcse, B+