Job Description Unit Head

Designation: Unit Head

Location: Mysore

Function: Manufacturing / Operations

Role Overview:

We are looking for an experienced Unit Head to lead the overall operations of a manufacturing unit involved in Liquid Nicotine, Purified Nicotine and Nicotine Salts manufacturing. The person will be responsible for production, quality, engineering, maintenance, EHS, regulatory compliance, cost optimization, operational excellence and people management.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Plant Operations:

- Manage overall plant operations and achieve production, quality, cost and delivery targets.

- Oversee liquid nicotine extraction, purification, distillation and nicotine salt manufacturing.

- Monitor production, yield, batch cycle time, capacity utilization and productivity.

- Ensure smooth and efficient day-to-day plant operations.

2. Process Improvement:

- Improve manufacturing processes, yield and productivity.

- Reduce batch cycle time, process losses and manufacturing costs.

- Implement Lean, Six Sigma, TPM and continuous improvement initiatives.

- Identify and resolve process and operational issues.

3. Quality and Compliance:

- Ensure compliance with cGMP and applicable quality standards.

- Work with QA and QC teams to maintain product quality.

- Ensure proper handling of deviations, CAPA and change controls.

- Maintain readiness for internal, customer and regulatory audits.

4. Engineering and Maintenance:

- Lead engineering, maintenance and plant reliability activities.

- Ensure preventive and predictive maintenance of plant equipment.

- Minimize equipment breakdowns and production downtime.

- Lead plant improvement, expansion and capacity enhancement projects.

5. EHS and Safety:

- Ensure compliance with EHS and statutory requirements.

- Promote a strong safety culture across the plant.

- Identify and control process and operational risks.

- Ensure safe handling and processing of chemicals and hazardous materials.

6. Cost Management:

- Optimize manufacturing costs without compromising quality and safety.

- Improve raw material utilization, yield, energy efficiency and manpower productivity.

- Monitor operating expenses and identify cost reduction opportunities.

7. People Management:

- Lead and develop production, engineering and operations teams.

- Build a strong culture of safety, quality and accountability.

- Develop team capabilities and future leaders.

- Manage manpower planning and team performance.

Qualification:

- B.E./B.Tech in Chemical Engineering.

Experience:

- 12+ years of relevant experience in manufacturing or operations.

- Experience in Liquid Nicotine Extraction, Nicotine Purification, Nicotine Salt Manufacturing, Specialty Chemicals, Fine Chemicals, API Manufacturing or Botanical Extraction.

- Minimum 3+ years of experience in a Plant Head, Unit Head, Manufacturing Head, Operations Head or similar plant leadership role.

Desired Profile:

- Strong experience in chemical or process manufacturing.

- Hands-on experience in extraction, purification, distillation or chemical processing.

- Strong knowledge of cGMP, EHS, process safety and quality systems.

- Experience in improving yield, productivity, capacity and manufacturing costs.

- Experience in Lean, Six Sigma, TPM or continuous improvement.

- Strong leadership, problem-solving and decision-making skills.

- Experience in plant expansion, debottlenecking and process improvement projects.