Head - Manufacturing

Head - Manufacturing

Location : Chennai

A leading, diversified organization in the sugar and biofuel sector is seeking a seasoned manufacturing leader to head integrated operations across multiple plants. This role reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer and carries enterprise-wide responsibility for operational performance, manufacturing strategy, and plant excellence.

The mandate is to strengthen manufacturing capability, enhance operational efficiency, and drive sustainable growth across a complex, multi-site footprint.

Responsibilities:

- Provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple integrated manufacturing units

- Drive improvements in throughput, recovery, cost structure, and asset utilization

- Ensure best-in-class standards in safety, statutory compliance, environmental stewardship, and quality

- Lead and develop plant leadership teams, building a high-performance manufacturing culture

- Oversee annual operating plans, manufacturing budgets, and capital investment programs

- Institutionalize KPI-driven performance management systems

- Champion modernization initiatives including automation, digitization, and process optimization

- Collaborate closely with cross-functional leadership including finance, supply chain, HR, and commercial functions

The Ideal Candidate:

- Demonstrated success in leading multi-plant manufacturing operations within the sugar and biofuel industry

- Strong techno-commercial orientation with hands-on operational depth

- Deep understanding of sugar processing, co-generation, and distillery operations

- Proven ability to manage scale, complexity, and diverse teams

- Track record of driving transformation, performance improvement, and cost leadership

Background & Experience:

- Engineering graduate (Mechanical or Chemical preferred); advanced management qualification desirable

- Approximately 18-22 years of experience, including 3-5 years in a multi-plant leadership role

- Experience managing sizable operations with significant turnover and operational complexity

- Leadership maturity typically aligned with professionals in their mid-career executive phase