Managing Director - Greenfield Plant - Manufacturing

Managing Director - Greenfield Plant - Manufacturing (17-27 yrs)

Position Summary:

The Managing Director will have full executive responsibility for the successful establishment, commissioning, and operation of the company's greenfield manufacturing plant in India. The role will lead all aspects of project execution, organizational development, operational readiness, commercial alignment, regulatory compliance, and long-term business performance.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Greenfield Project Leadership:

- Lead the end-to-end development and successful delivery of the greenfield manufacturing facility.

- Ensure project execution aligns with approved timelines, budget, quality, safety, and strategic objectives.

- Partner closely with global project teams, engineering consultants, contractors, and technology providers to manage engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and operational readiness activities.

- Identify and mitigate project risks through robust governance and escalation processes.

- Establish facility infrastructure, operating systems, and organizational capabilities required for startup.

2. Strategic Leadership:

- Develop and execute the India growth strategy aligned with the company's global objectives.

- Drive long-term manufacturing competitiveness, operational scalability, and profitability.

- Contribute to capacity expansion planning and future investment opportunities.

- Provide strategic recommendations to the Executive Leadership Team regarding market developments, supply chain risks, and regulatory changes.

3. Operational Excellence:

- Lead startup, ramp-up, stabilization, and ongoing optimization of manufacturing operations.

- Deliver world-class performance in safety, quality, productivity, cost management, and customer service.

- Ensure achievement of operational KPIs, including Safety performance, Production output, Yield improvement, Cost efficiency, Quality metrics, On-time delivery.

- Drive a high-performance culture focused on accountability and continuous improvement.

4. P&L and Financial Management:

- Assume full responsibility for site financial performance and operating budget.

- Develop annual operating plans, capital expenditure plans, and business forecasts.

- Ensure effective cost management and capital deployment.

- Deliver targeted financial returns and productivity improvements.

- Monitor financial performance through robust operational and financial metrics.

5. Health, Safety, Environment & Sustainability:

- Champion safety culture across all operations.

- Ensure compliance with all Indian and international safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

- Lead implementation of HESS management systems and sustainability initiatives.

- Promote responsible manufacturing practices and environmental stewardship.

- Maintain compliance with ISO and other applicable industry certifications.

6. Government & Regulatory Affairs:

- Build and maintain strong relationships with national, state, and local government authorities.

- Secure all necessary permits, licenses, and operational approvals.

- Monitor changes in regulatory frameworks and assess business impact.

- Support strategic initiatives related to investment incentives and industrial development programs.

7. Talent & Organization Development:

- Build and lead a high-performing leadership team.

- Recruit, develop, and retain critical technical, operational, and leadership talent.

- Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, integrity, and accountability.

- Drive succession planning and leadership development initiatives.

- Ensure effective employee engagement and labor relations practices.

8. Supply Chain & Commercial Collaboration:

- Collaborate with global supply chain teams to establish robust sourcing strategies.

- Enhance localization opportunities while maintaining quality and cost objectives.

- Support key customer relationships and strategic growth initiatives.

- Ensure strong coordination with global manufacturing and commercial teams.

- Manage strategic supplier relationships and supply continuity.

9. Stakeholder Management:

- Serve as the primary executive representative of the India operation.

- Interface with corporate leadership, board members, customers, investors, regulators, and community stakeholders.

- Provide regular updates on project milestones, operational performance, and strategic initiatives.

- Build the company's reputation as a leading and responsible employer and manufacturing partner in India.

Qualifications:

Education:

- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Metallurgy, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline.

- Master's Degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration (MBA), or related field preferred.

Experience:

- 15-20+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing, industrial operations, specialty chemicals, advanced materials, metals, mining, automotive, rare earths, or related sectors.

- Minimum 8-10 years in senior executive leadership roles with full P&L responsibility.

- Proven experience leading a greenfield manufacturing project from concept through commissioning and commercial operation.

- Experience operating within multinational corporations and global matrix organizations.

- Strong understanding of Indian industrial, environmental, labor, and regulatory frameworks.

- Experience managing large capital projects (USD 100M+ preferred).

- Demonstrated success leading operational transformations and performance improvement initiatives.