Head of Manufacturing

Location: Corporate Office (with frequent travel to plant locations across India)

Department: Manufacturing & Operations

Reports To: Managing Director

Industry: Chemical Manufacturing

Position Summary:

The Head of Manufacturing will be responsible for leading and managing the end-to-end manufacturing operations across multiple chemical plants in India. This includes driving operational excellence, ensuring EHS compliance, optimizing production efficiency, implementing best-in-class manufacturing practices, and leading plant expansion or modernization projects. The ideal candidate will bring deep technical knowledge, strategic vision, and strong leadership to enhance productivity, sustainability, and profitability.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Manufacturing Strategy & Execution:

- Develop and implement a robust manufacturing strategy aligned with business goals.

- Lead the planning, coordination, and control of manufacturing processes across all plants.

- Ensure timely and cost-effective production with a focus on quality and safety.

2. Operations Management:

- Monitor daily plant operations to ensure adherence to production targets, efficiency, and quality standards.

- Identify and drive continuous improvement initiatives using lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, etc.

- Benchmark and implement global best practices across all plants.

3. EHS & Compliance:

- Ensure 100% compliance with all statutory, regulatory, and safety standards (local and international).

- Promote a strong EHS culture and lead initiatives to improve safety performance across locations.

4. People & Leadership:

- Lead and mentor Plant Heads and key manufacturing leaders across locations.

- Drive a culture of accountability, performance, and continuous improvement.

- Manage resource planning, training, and skill development across manufacturing teams.

5. Cost & Efficiency Optimization:

- Drive productivity improvement and cost reduction initiatives across plants.

- Optimize raw material usage, energy consumption, and minimize waste.

- Develop and track key KPIs: OEE, yield, downtime, cost/MT, etc.

6. Capex & Projects:

- Lead greenfield/brownfield expansion, modernization, and capacity enhancement projects.

- Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and budget.

7. Technology & Digital Transformation:

- Implement smart manufacturing and digital tools (MES, automation, IoT) to enhance productivity and real-time visibility.

- Drive adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies across manufacturing sites.

Qualifications & Experience:

Education: B.E./B.Tech in Chemical / Mechanical / Production Engineering. A Master's degree (e.g., M.Tech, MBA - Operations/Industrial Management) is preferred.

Experience:

- 18-25 years of experience in manufacturing operations in the chemical industry.

- Proven track record of leading multi-site operations.

- Experience in continuous process industries (bulk chemicals, specialty chemicals, petrochemicals, etc.) is preferred.

- Strong exposure to EHS, lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, and automation.

Key Skills & Competencies:

- Strategic thinking with strong business acumen

- Plant operations and process engineering expertise

- Leadership and team development

- Excellent communication and stakeholder management

- Decision-making under pressure

- Analytical and data-driven mindset