Garima Yadav is the Product Program Manager at John Deere, and the President of Society of Women Engineers Pune Affiliate. Garima a highly motivated individual with a solid drive to overcome obstacles. Holding a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Shri Ram Institute of Technology, Jabalpur, she possesses a diverse skill set that spans multiple domains, including electrical, electronics, and software engineering. She thrives in collaborative environments and is deeply passionate about positively impacting student’s lives through coaching and mentoring.
Garima Yadav’s upbringing was shaped by her father, a dedicated schoolteacher, and her mother, a homemaker. From a young age, Garima harboured a profound fascination with automobiles, igniting her passion for Mechanical Engineering. Throughout childhood, she eagerly gathered news articles on the latest technological advancements in vehicles and aircraft. Notably, Garima was a School House Captain, demonstrating leadership qualities early on. She excelled as a cadet in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) during her college years. Additionally, she completed vocational training at Gajra Gears, Dewas, immersing herself in gear manufacturing, CNC machine operation, and quality control processes. Her academic pursuits were further highlighted by winning the third prize for her paper presentation on automatic transmission during her second semester.
After completing her engineering degree in 2007, amidst the onset of a global recession, Garima relocated to Pune in search of job opportunities. While navigating multiple interviews, she seized the opportunity to enhance her skill set by undertaking a certification course in CATIA, a 3D design software application.
Building Base in Manufacturing: Early Career of Garima Yadav
Her perseverance paid off when she was selected by Motherson Sumi Systems Limited, the world’s largest wiring harnesses and rear-view mirror manufacturer. As a Product Engineer, Garima assumed a pivotal position in managing the client relationship with Maruti Suzuki India Limited, the country’s leading automobile manufacturer. Given Maruti’s significance as Motherson Sumi’s primary client, Garima’s responsibilities were extensive and critical. She oversaw various car models for Maruti, including Ritz, Estilo, Wagon R and Ertiga, playing a central role in all engineering discussions with Maruti Suzuki.
Garima’s responsibilities encompassed preparing detailed bills of materials, understanding intricate engineering specifications, guiding teams in creating production drawings, and supervising prototype trials at Maruti and Suzuki Motors Japan. Her role extended to ensuring customers’ approval of products and incorporating their feedback into mass production processes. Garima’s expertise and leadership were instrumental in facilitating smooth functional and fitment trials, earning her accolades for her meticulous attention to detail and dedication to ensuring client satisfaction.
Garima Yadav spearheaded numerous value engineering initiatives at Motherson, overseeing the generation of over 800 ideas sourced from R&D and three distinct manufacturing units in Noida, Faridabad, and Gurgaon. She meticulously reviewed each proposal, assessing their viability for production and collaborating with the costing team to evaluate their cost-effectiveness. Garima’s exemplary work earned her praise from the Head of R&D for her pivotal contributions to the organisation.
Additionally, Garima played a significant role in localizing components to streamline costs during mass production while also leading testing efforts for these components. As an engineering representative, she facilitated discussions on design and development challenges across various functions, including Quality, Vendor Development, Marketing, and Costing, both internally and with stakeholders at Maruti Suzuki. Garima’s credibility and dedication led to her participation in fitment trials at Suzuki Motors Corporation, Japan, further enhancing her expertise. Over the years, she led a team of four members and provided on-the-job training to graduate trainees, earning a reputation for her professionalism and steadfast adherence to deadlines.
Taking the Lead: From Manufacturing to IT
In May 2011, Garima Yadav commenced her journey at John Deere India Private Limited as an Engineer within the Electrical Design Team. Initially, her tasks revolved around creating electrical component drawings. However, within two months, she was responsible for designing cab and chassis wiring harness layouts for mid-sized tractors.
Engaging in design reviews and virtual validation processes, Garima meticulously selected components based on load requirements. Her pivotal role led her to undertake a crucial assignment at the Saltillo Engineering Center in Mexico to finalise the product design within tight timelines. Leveraging her expertise, Garima accomplished the task and motivated other teams to expedite their designs. Her stint in Mexico also gave her valuable insights into cab fitment on tractors, expanding her knowledge base.
Garima actively contributed to key projects at Deere, including tractor launches featuring FT4 engines, and worked on wiring harness projects for 5E and 5M series utility tractors. Her responsibilities encompassed creating wiring harness 3D layouts, schematics, and drawings using Capital Harness Tool. Engaging in technical discussions regarding component selection, layout design consultation, and virtual validation, Garima played a pivotal role in ensuring the quality and efficiency of the electrical design process.
Moreover, she contributed to creating an electrical design overview module, aiming to enhance team awareness and promote adherence to 3D routing standards. Garima’s efforts significantly impacted the manufacturing process, as the drawings she created were utilised by suppliers in harness production. To further bolster her business acumen, Garima pursued an Executive Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune. Subsequently, she assumed the role of Quality Engineer, taking charge of all Supplier and Product Quality initiatives from Pune, India. This role allowed her to collaborate with teams and suppliers in the USA and Germany, offering invaluable global exposure.
Initially joining as the sole engineer responsible for quality, Garima’s proactive leadership and involvement in key programs such as the AutoTrac Platform and Regional Expansion led to a gradual team expansion from one to four members. She played a pivotal role in training the team on quality deliverables and established and led the Electrical/Electronic COP (Community of Practice), focusing on mistake-proofing for connectors on the assembly line. Additionally, Garima contributed as a member of the Global Team, which is dedicated to enhancing the quality and handling of electrical/electronic parts in the factory, leveraging her deep technical understanding and earning the trust of team members across continents.
Later, Garima transitioned to a new role as a Software Quality Engineer within John Deere’s Digital Solutions group. In this capacity, she was tasked with developing quality metrics, process improvements, and deploying best practices for software development, including Scrum practices. Garima obtained her Scrum Master certification and applied what she had learned to guide over eleven Scrum teams, conducting gap analyses and implementing Agile best practices to enhance quality and efficiency. Over two years, she performed multiple training sessions for team members on Agile practices, further solidifying her role as a catalyst for continuous improvement within the organisation.
Garima’s collaborative spirit extended to her work with the Reliability team from a different function, where she contributed to a Software Reliability Proof of Concept. Her involvement resulted in a Trade Secret acknowledgement, showcasing her innovative contributions. Recognising her excellence, she was honoured with a Gold Coin from the Global Technology Innovation Network at John Deere for her significant contribution to enhancing software reliability.
Transitioning to the role of Product Owner for a critical e-commerce application utilised in over 180 countries, Garima demonstrated her ability to translate complex business requirements into actionable user stories. Her adeptness in simplifying intricate concepts enabled the development team to deliver critical features seamlessly, ultimately enhancing customer experience and positively impacting John Deere’s profitability. To further augment her skills, Garima pursued Product Owner Certification and swiftly grasped cloud technology like Amazon Web Services, enhancing her effectiveness in technical discussions with her teams. Garima completed the Executive Program in Digital Transformation from IIM Indore to enhance her Digital knowledge and understanding.
Currently serving as a Product Program Manager for the Digital Solutions group at John Deere, Garima shoulders responsibility for overseeing Global Programs spanning India and the US. Her role involves strategising and planning program objectives, prioritising tasks, identifying risks, developing mitigation plans, and managing dependencies. Garima is crucial in streamlining project requirements by liaising with various stakeholders, including Marketing, Product Management, User Experience, Engineering teams, and leadership. Leveraging her comprehensive understanding of different technologies and domains and her collaborative strengths, Garima continues to be a valuable asset to her team, driving success in complex and critical projects. Her ability to transition to different roles over the years is one of her biggest strengths.
Driving the Initiative: Women In Stem!
Since December 2013, Garima has actively participated in and led various activities aligned with the mission and vision of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). She serves as a President for the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Pune Affiliate. Driven by her desire to contribute to society, Garima sees SWE as a platform to empower young girls and professionals. She draws from her life experiences to advocate for providing women with a strong foundation and platform to succeed.
Garima’s commitment to SWE is evident through her involvement in initiatives such as “Wow that’s Engineering,” where she volunteered to engage over 30 students from Sadhana School. She also played a pivotal role in organising the SWE Pune Affiliate’s professional symposium, SWEet Milan, which attracted over 100 professionals. This groundbreaking event earned SWE Pune the prestigious SWE Professional Development Award in 2016.
Furthermore, Garima Yadav contributed to Confluence, a collaborative effort with 11+ leading technical societies in India, to foster discussions on attracting, developing, and retaining women’s talent in STEM fields. Her involvement in SWE’s professional development efforts led to her appointment as the lead organizer of SWEet Milan, where she curated enriching workshops and sessions on technical and leadership topics. Garima’s innovative approach and industry connections ensured the success of SWEet Milan, which was attended by prominent leaders from Eaton and Capgemini.
Garima Yadav’s dedication to professional development within the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) extends to organising impactful events, with over 300 participants attending Professional Development sessions within Pune and engaging with various organisations so folks can learn from industry leaders and also acted as an excellent networking platform. She actively participates in conferences across India, fostering valuable connections across industries. At the WELocal 21 India conference, Garima showcased her expertise as a speaker on the “SWE Leadership Competency Model,” explicitly addressing “Business Acumen.” SWE Pune received prestigious accolades such as the “Professional Gold Award” and “Professional Excellence—Best Practice—SWE Resource Promotion” in the 2021 SWE Mission Awards. Additionally, Garima Yadav was honoured with the WE Local Elite Award in 2021, recognising her outstanding contributions. One of her biggest strengths is her ability to transition to different roles over the years.
Garima’s commitment to giving back to society is evident in her belief in providing a protective ecosystem for children and students to thrive. During her college days, she offered free tuition to underprivileged children and financially supported a student’s education for three years, now extending her support to UNICEF. Additionally, her involvement with the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture allowed her to represent SWE in roundtable discussions, fostering collaboration with other communities focused on women’s upliftment and development. Garima’s affiliation with Leapclub, aimed at promoting women in leadership positions, exemplifies her commitment to personal and professional growth. As a member of two cohorts and the Pune club, she has expanded her network beyond her organisation and industry, gaining diverse perspectives and invaluable insights. Her advice to young women is to be fearless and believe that you have everything required to be successful. The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Never stop dreaming and working towards it.
Garima Yadav’s remarkable learning agility enables her to swiftly adapt and contribute meaningfully to different business areas, further fuelling her desire to contribute substantially to the organisation with her extensive multi-functional expertise. Through active participation in SWE and other forums, Garima finds avenues to positively impact society, unveiling her latent talents and leadership qualities. Her collaboration with SWE aligns with her passion for giving back to society, particularly in education, children, and women, and it also serves as a platform for her to realise her goals and aspirations.
