- Engineering
Learn what a forward deployed engineer does, how the role differs from traditional software engineering, and why hire one to support enterprise customers.
Saad Khan
40 Düsseldorf, Germany
CTO, VP Engineering & Cloud Advisor. 18+ years in Tech + Product Leadership
As a Chief Technology Officer, I bring over 18 years of proven expertise in transforming business visions into scalable, cloud-native solutions by building and leading high-performing teams that drive growth and efficiency. Leveraging my experience and executive education at UC Berkeley, I specialize in aligning technology with strategic business objectives, ensuring investments in innovation directly contribute to long-term business success.
From Fortune 500 enterprises to high-growth startups, …
Work
TB International GmbH
https://tbint.deAs an Advisor, I facilitated the strategic integration of the business into cloud-native solutions from apparel production, global supply chain, logistics & warehousing operations to B2B, B2C order management, contributing to TB International’s €1 billion growth target. By coaching C-level executives to transform IT to leverage cloud from a business value stream perspective. I promoted Value S…
METRO AG / Hospitality Digital GmbH
https://cloud.google.com/customers/metro#:~:text=METRO%20was%20able%20to%20take%20a%20step%20further%2C%20facilitating%20the%20digital%20transformation%20of%20its%20customers.%20METRO%20leadership%20and%20Hospitality%20DigitalSpearheaded METRO’s first cloud-native digital venture, improving the time-to-market for over 30 digital solutions across 17 European countries. I developed a cloud governance framework that became a benchmark across METRO’s global operations, optimizing cloud infrastructure and ensuring a balance between speed, security, and quality. These efforts led to streamlined operational, compliance & cyber-security processes and an enhanced partnership with Google Cloud for advanced AI and data science applications.
Co-developed and launched a comprehensive veterinary services platform that reached 20 Spanish-speaking countries. By transforming the founder’s vision into a mobile-first digital solution, we successfully scaled the platform, driving rapid adoption across the target market. This project demonstrated my ability to manage the technical and operational challenges of a digital services app in the healthcare space.
DB Schenker AG
https://www.dbschenker.com/globalLed the development of a new generation of B2B services by transitioning to AWS, enhancing global delivery capabilities across 140 countries and 12 vertical markets. Managed international teams and key client projects like carbon emissions and real-time tracking solutions for Apple, Daimler, VW, Intel, HP and Chanel, delivering transformative digital solutions that optimized logistics and supply chain operations globally.
Experience
TB International GmbH
Advisor
Jul 2023 - Present
A global fashion group and textile producer, distributing and producing for over 15 brands in the streetwear segment. Their business model includes private label retail, licensed brand distribution, and contract manufacturing, serving more than 15,000 retailers worldwide
- Promoting business value focused cloud IT into operations to support massive scaling.
- Coach business and IT on how to leverage microservices architecture and serverless technologies to deliver value and go-to-market fast.
- Influenced strategy at the executive level and engaged & collaborated across the organization along industry consultants.
WePet Inc.
CTO
Feb 2021 - Jun 2022
At WePet Inc., I co-developed and launched a veterinary services platform, scaling it to 20 Spanish-speaking countries. This mobile-first solution transformed the founder's vision into a fully operational platform, allowing WePet to revolutionize pet healthcare in Latin America.
- A startup focused on delivering veterinary healthcare services through a mobile-first platform.
- The company needed to rapidly scale its product to meet growing market demand across multiple countries.
- Led the development of the platform, integrating cloud infrastructure and ensuring scalability to 20 countries.
- Worked closely with the founders and the product team to refine the platform’s technical architecture and growth strategy
METRO AG / Hospitality Digital GmbH
Director Cloud Engineering
Jul 2016 - Jul 2023
Cloud-born company driving digital transformation for Germany's biggest wholesale retail corporation
- First Engineer under CEO, built & grew the technology arm of 80+ engineers
- Built high performance software teams deploying to the Cloud
- Set up a business focused non-invasive Data Governance
- Enabled business teams making MVPs, multiple pivots towards Product Market fit
- Deployed over 15 digital services to customers across 17 European countries
ESB International
Product Development Consultant
Jan 2016 - Jun 2016
A semi-state owned commercial Energy company with 95% ownership of Energy generation and distribution in Ireland.
- Empowered teams to deliver data solutions to internal stakeholders focusing on business value
DB Schenker
Data Solutions Manager
Aug 2013 - Jul 2015
A global logistics & freight forwarding company with 4 lines of business: Air, Ocean, Sea & Rail
- Led initiatives to leveraging Cloud Infrastructure
- Led delivery of customised software solutions on various customer's logistics data that had tailored service level agreements such as Apple, Dell, Chanel, Volkswagen while managing a small software development team
Nokia
Product Specialist
Apr 2012 - Aug 2013
Led product engineering for Alcatel-Lucent's real-time charging platform later acquired by Nokia
- Organized effectively with agile methodology to cutting down deliverable unit and iterate & deliver fast
Nokia
Software Architect
Jan 2010 - Jul 2012
- Design & implemented a CSP big-data platform enabling cross business unit decision making
- Responsible for the entire SDLC from customer needs to delivering value
- Involved in Pre-Sales activities with potential CSP customers
- Product went to being awarded Innovation Award 2012 at Mobile Congress World
Siemens
Engineer
Jun 2007 - Jan 2010
Siemen's IN@vantage charge@once was a global market-leading product in real-time charging system in mobile telecommunication infrastructure deployed in customer CSP's on-premise core network centers
- IN@vantage Engineer for all hardware and software activities for Telenor.
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