---
title: "Vijay M. - Program Manager - Tech Innovation & AI in Bengaluru | Tal"
description: "Meet Vijay M., Program Manager | AI & Tech Strategy | Innovation | Transformation based in Bengaluru. AI stack includes claude code, cursor, and gemini."
image: "https://tal.club/meet/vijaykumar-merwade/share-image"
---

# Vijay M\. on Tal

## Headline

Program Manager \| AI & Tech Strategy \| Innovation \| Transformation

## About

I've spent 12\+ years helping large technology organizations translate strategy into execution working across program governance, cross\-functional alignment, and enterprise transformation at PayPal, Cisco, and Deloitte\. At PayPal's Office of the CTO, I worked closely with CTO and VP\-level leadership on AI/ML and Generative AI programs building operating frameworks, running leadership rhythms, and keeping execution on track across a global engineering organization of 6,000\+\. Along the way, I helped drive 3 initiatives from concept to consumer product, supported 7 patent filings, and reduced critical audit exceptions by 40% through better program visibility and governance\. At Cisco, I led governance for supply chain and emerging technology transformation managing a portfolio of 20\+ initiatives across AI, Blockchain, and AR/VR, delivering over $2\.5M in business impact\. Earlier at Deloitte, I delivered program governance for Fortune 50 enterprise implementations, where structured execution and stakeholder alignment accelerated product launch timelines by 30%\. Across these roles, I've consistently operated at the intersection of strategy and delivery, bringing structure to ambiguous situations, aligning cross\-functional teams, and giving senior leaders the clarity they need to make good decisions quickly\.

## Location

Bengaluru

## AI stack

claude code

cursor

gemini

langchain

n8n

openai

## Work experience

Program Manager \- Tech Innovation & AI at PayPal, Jul 2023 \- Jan 2026 · 2 yrs 7 mos, Bengaluru, Part of PayPal's Office of the CTO, working at the intersection of AI strategy and delivery for one of the company's largest engineering hubs\. My role was to make sure global AI ambitions translated into programs that teams could actually execute\. Designed the governance and operating model for a 6,000\+ engineer organisation portfolio reporting, steering cadences, and escalation frameworks that gave leadership real visibility into GenAI and Agentic AI program health\. Conceptualized and executed the Global AI Innovation Program across Bangalore, Chennai, and San Jose\. Structured intake, rapid prototyping, and prioritisation of 100\+ GenAI ideas, resulting in 7 patent filings and 3 consumer product integrations\. Owned the Software capitalization platform re\-engineered software expense classification using ML\-based automation and integrated analytics, reducing audit exceptions by 40% across engineering, finance, and product\. Led PayPal's AI Capability Assessment by benchmarking India hub maturity and AI governance\. Findings directly shaped the global AI transformation roadmap\.

Program Manager : Supply Chain Transformation & Innovation at Cisco, Jan 2020 \- Jun 2023 · 3 yrs 6 mos, Greater Bengaluru Area, Managed Cisco's AI and emerging tech portfolio 20\+ proof\-of\-concepts across AI/ML, Blockchain, and AR/VR\. Focused on moving ideas toward credible business cases, not just tracking status\. Combined portfolio impact: $2\.5M\+\. Built AI capability roadmaps and scenario playbooks for VP and Director\-level leadership translating what's technically possible into what's strategically worth doing, in language non\-technical leaders could act on\. Owned program governance for global supply chain platform modernisation across multiple geographies, work plans, dependency tracking, risk management, and stakeholder alignment across matrixed teams\. Led a supply chain risk buy program during global component shortages cross\-functional coordination across operations, quality, and sourcing that delivered a 40% reduction in inventory delays\.

Senior Consultant at Deloitte India \(Offices of the US\), Jun 2019 \- Jan 2020 · 8 mos, Bengaluru Area, India

Consultant at Deloitte India \(Offices of the US\), Jun 2016 \- Jun 2019 · 3 yrs 1 mo, Bengaluru Area, India, Led digital transformation and Cloud ERP \(SAP S/4HANA\) implementations to optimize supply chain and product development for Consumer & Industrial Products clients\. Conducted business blueprinting, gap analysis, benchmarking, and designed future\-state processes to drive operational excellence\. Partnered with Directors and Partners to support strategic pursuits and develop scalable use cases leveraging emerging technologies\. Delivered New Product Introduction \(NPI\) and change management strategies, accelerating product development and enhancing business agility\.

Summer Intern at SELCO Foundation, Apr 2015 \- Jun 2015 · 3 mos, Bengaluru Area, India, Worked with the Rural Community Labs of SELCO Foundation\. Worked on designing a scale\-up strategy for small scale manual thresher\. Roles and responsibilities 1\)Market research and analysis 2\)Understanding and bridging gaps in procurement and distribution channels 3\)Identifying potential avenues of scale up 4\) Documentation and resource compilation for internal reference

Software Engineer at Delphi, Dec 2010 \- May 2014 · 3 yrs 6 mos, Bangalore, Role: Development of Application layer code for Engine Control Units \(ECU\) for Delphi Diesel Systems , Worked on CAN , J1939 communication protocols for European Automotive clients Software Tester,Reviewer, QA, Model based development using MATLAB , Software verification & Validation and Documentation\.

## Education

Master of Business Administration \(M\.B\.A\.\), Business Administration, Management and Operations, T A Pai Management Institute, Manipal

Bachelor of Engineering \- BE, Telecommunications Engineering, RV College of Engineering

[View the original profile](https://tal.club/meet/vijaykumar-merwade)

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