1. POSITION PURPOSE:

- The SBU Head - Industrial & Specialty Gases will have end-to-end ownership of the Strategic Business Unit as an independent Profit Centre, with comprehensive responsibility for driving business growth, profitability and operational excellence across the entire value chain - from product sourcing and procurement to bottling, quality assurance, sales, marketing, distribution, collections and realisation.

- The incumbent will provide strategic direction and leadership to the SBU while ensuring the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of the bottling facility.

- The role will encompass both P&L stewardship and operational governance, with accountability for revenue growth, gross margins, working capital, inventory, cost optimisation, customer development and overall return on capital employed.

- A key mandate of the position will also be to identify new-generation gases and allied product opportunities, including HFOs and other emerging industrial and specialty gases, thereby broadening the Company's product portfolio and establishing new avenues of sustainable growth.

2. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

- Lead and drive the overall Sales and Marketing function for the Specialty Gases Division across the entire Group.

- Take complete ownership of sales performance, business growth and market development of the Speciality Gases Division.

- Manage and drive the complete product portfolio of the Specialty Gases Division.

- Drive business development for Specialty, Industrial and Refrigerant Gases, including products such as R134a, R600, SF6 and other gases handled by the Division.

- Identify new markets, applications, industries and business opportunities for the Specialty Gases portfolio.

- Strengthen the existing customer base and develop long-term relationships with key customers and strategic accounts.

- Conduct regular market analysis to identify industry trends, competitor activities, pricing trends and new business opportunities.

- Ensure effective coordination between Sales, Marketing, Plant Operations and other support functions to achieve business objectives.

- Work closely with plant teams to align production, inventory, refilling operations and dispatches with market requirements and sales plans.

- Review business performance across locations and ensure timely corrective actions wherever required.

- Ensure optimum utilisation of resources and effective coordination between all office locations.

- Manage relationships with overseas principals, suppliers and business partners.

- Negotiate commercial terms, pricing arrangements and strategic business agreements.

- Lead, guide and mentor the Sales and Marketing teams across offices and locations.

- Prepare annual sales budgets, forecasts and business plans for the Specialty Gases Division.

- Regularly monitor sales performance, order pipeline, profitability, margins and collections.

- Provide inputs for pricing strategy and ensure commercial discipline across the Division.

- Ensure that sales and business operations are carried out in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and internal policies.

3. BOTTLING PLANT OPERATIONS:

- The incumbent shall have overall responsibility for the safe, efficient and reliable operation of the bottling/filling facility, including:

1. Overall supervision and governance of bottling and filling operations.

2. Ensuring optimum utilisation of plant capacity, manpower and equipment.

3. Ensuring adherence to prescribed operating procedures, quality parameters and safety protocols.

4. Ensuring preventive and breakdown maintenance of plant, machinery, storage systems and associated infrastructure.

5. Developing appropriate systems for equipment inspection, calibration, maintenance and statutory certification.

4. STATUTORY, REGULATORY & ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE:

- The SBU Head will have overarching responsibility for ensuring that the bottling plant and business operations remain fully compliant with all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

- This shall include, inter alia:

1. PESO approvals, licences, authorisations and compliance requirements.

2. Pollution Control Board requirements relating to Air and Water Pollution, environmental consents and applicable regulatory submissions.

3. Legal Metrology / Weights & Measures compliance relating to filling, weighing, packaging and related equipment.

5. DESIRED COMPETENCIES & SKILLS:

- Strong leadership, commercial, marketing and strategic planning acumen.

- Proven experience in heading and managing sales and business development across multiple locations, offices and plants.

- Ability to develop and execute business growth strategies for the Specialty Gases business.

- Strong understanding of the Specialty, Industrial and Refrigerant Gases market.

- Experience in managing complete product portfolios, sales teams and P&L responsibilities.

- Excellent negotiation, communication, presentation and relationship management skills.

- Results-oriented with a strong focus on business growth, profitability and continuous improvement.

- Ability to work closely with cross-functional teams, including Plant Operations, Supply Chain, Commercial, Finance and Business Management.

- Knowledge of regulatory requirements, safety protocols and compliance applicable to the gases business.

- Proficiency in SAP.

- Operational understanding of international business, imports and overseas principal management.