Head - Manufacturing

Key Responsibilities :

Technology Transfer (ToT) & Industrialization :

- Lead end-to-end execution of Technology Transfer (ToT) programs from foreign and domestic OEM/technology partners.

- Develop detailed industrialization plans for transferred technologies including :

1. Process documentation

2. Manufacturing work instructions

3. Tooling and fixtures

4. Localization plans

5. Assembly procedures

6. Testing and qualification processes

- Convert prototype or semi-knocked-down systems into fully manufacturable products in India.

- Coordinate with partner engineering teams for knowledge transfer, training, documentation, process validation, and production readiness.

- Establish manufacturing capability maturity plans from assembly to indigenous production.

Manufacturing Operations :

- Set up and manage manufacturing facilities for aerospace, defence, UAV, autonomous systems, electronics, electro-mechanical systems, and precision engineering products.

- Drive production planning, line balancing, takt time optimization, productivity enhancement, and manufacturing efficiency.

- Establish scalable manufacturing systems for low-volume/high-complexity as well as future high-volume production programs.

- Implement lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives.

- Ensure achievement of production targets related to quality, cost, delivery, and safety.

Supply Chain & Vendor Development :

- Lead the complete supply chain and procurement functions including :

1. Strategic sourcing

2. Vendor development

3. Localization

4. Inventory management

5. Material planning

6. Logistics coordination

- Develop and qualify domestic supplier ecosystem for defence and aerospace-grade manufacturing.

- Drive indigenization initiatives aligned with Government of India policies and defence localization goals.

- Ensure long-lead items, imported components, and critical materials are managed effectively for uninterrupted production.

Quality, Compliance & Certifications :

- Establish robust quality management systems aligned with :

1. AS9100

2. ISO 9001

3. Defence quality standards

4. ESD and electro-mechanical manufacturing standards

- Ensure compliance with all defence manufacturing, industrial security, export control, and regulatory requirements applicable to Indian Licensed Defence Companies (ILDCs).

- Lead qualification, acceptance testing, process audits, and customer inspections.

Cross-Functional Leadership :

- Work closely with engineering, program management, R&D, business development, and partner organizations for successful program execution.

- Build and mentor a high-performance manufacturing and supply chain organization.

- Support strategic planning for future manufacturing expansion including greenfield

manufacturing facilities and advanced production capabilities.

Desired Candidate Profile :

Education :

Bachelors or Masters degree in any of the following streams :

- Mechanical Engineering

- Production Engineering

- Aerospace Engineering

- Industrial Engineering

- Electronics Engineering

- Manufacturing Engineering

- or related disciplines

Experience :

- 15+ years of experience in manufacturing leadership roles.

- Strong experience in defence, aerospace, UAV, automotive, electronics, autonomous systems, or high-reliability engineering industries.

- Proven experience in :

a. Technology Transfer (ToT)

b. Manufacturing scale-up

c. Industrialization

d. Supply chain management

e. Vendor development

f. Production engineering

- Experience in establishing manufacturing operations from greenfield stage will be highly

preferred.

- Exposure to defence manufacturing ecosystem, licensed production, and international OEM collaborations is desirable.

Technical & Functional Skills :

- Strong understanding of :

1. Precision manufacturing

2. Electro-mechanical assembly

3. Aerospace/defence quality systems

4. Production engineering

5. Manufacturing process validation

6. Supply chain optimization

- Familiarity with ERP systems and digital manufacturing practices.

- Strong commercial, negotiation, and supplier management capabilities.

- Ability to work in a fast-scaling, high-ownership environment.

Leadership Attributes :

- Strong execution mindset with hands-on leadership approach.

- Ability to build systems and processes from scratch.

- Excellent stakeholder management and cross-cultural coordination skills.

- High integrity, discipline, and accountability.

- Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in strategic and mission-critical programs.

Key Success Metrics :

- Successful absorption and localization of transferred technologies.

- Production readiness and timely industrialization of products.

- Manufacturing quality and yield improvement.

- Supply chain robustness and vendor ecosystem development.

- Cost optimization and on-time delivery performance.

- Compliance with defence and aerospace manufacturing standards