Job Overview:

The role is responsible for leading new manufacturing and supply chain initiatives with complete end-to-end ownership. This includes factory setup, operational scale-up, and stabilization to deliver cost-efficient, high-quality, and scalable manufacturing operations. The position requires strong on-ground leadership, cross-functional coordination, and a high ownership mindset to support long-term growth and capacity expansion.

Key Responsibilities:

1. New Manufacturing Initiatives & Factory Setup

- Lead end-to-end setup of new manufacturing facilities, including site readiness, layout planning, utilities, machinery installation, automation readiness, and manpower deployment.

- Manage greenfield and brownfield projects from feasibility assessment and project planning through commissioning and commercial production.

- Coordinate with cross-functional teams such as projects, engineering, quality, finance, HR, IT, procurement, and logistics to ensure timely execution.

- Ensure manufacturing units are audit-ready and compliant with quality, safety, and regulatory requirements from Day 1.

2. Manufacturing Operations & Scale-Up

- Establish manufacturing processes, standard operating procedures (SOPs), control frameworks, and governance models.

- Lead pilot production runs, capacity ramp-up, and operational stabilization with a focus on quality and efficiency.

- Identify bottlenecks in process flow, layout, manpower, or technology and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

- Implement lean manufacturing, productivity enhancement, and waste reduction practices.

3. Supply Chain Integration

- Integrate new manufacturing units with end-to-end supply chain functions including demand planning, procurement, inventory management, and distribution.

- Ensure uninterrupted availability of raw materials, effective WIP control, and efficient finished goods movement.

- Support make-vs-buy decisions, vendor localization strategies, and long-term capacity expansion planning.

- Collaborate with planning teams to align production capacities with demand forecasts.

4. Cost Management, Productivity & Performance Ownership

- Own factory-level cost structures and lead cost optimization initiatives across materials, labor, overheads, and logistics.

- Improve productivity, yield, and throughput while minimizing ramp-up losses and inefficiencies.

- Track, analyze, and report key performance indicators such as capacity utilization, cost per unit, yield, rejection rates, inventory turns, and turnaround time (TAT).

- Drive data-based decision-making through dashboards and performance reviews.

5. Vendor & Manufacturing Partner Management

- Identify, onboard, and develop manufacturing partners, job-work vendors, and key service providers.

- Drive vendor performance management, capability enhancement, and long-term strategic partnerships.

- Support commercial negotiations, contract structuring, and service-level agreements (SLAs).

- Ensure vendor compliance with quality, delivery, cost, and safety standards.

6. Quality, Compliance & Risk Management

- Implement robust quality systems, in-process controls, and inspection mechanisms across factories and vendors.

- Ensure compliance with statutory, safety, environmental, and internal governance requirements.

- Identify operational, supply, and execution risks and lead mitigation and contingency planning.

- Support internal and external audits and ensure timely closure of observations.

7. Leadership, Governance & Stakeholder Management

- Build, mentor, and lead high-performing factory, project, and supply chain teams.

- Establish governance cadence through structured reviews, performance dashboards, and escalation mechanisms.

- Act as the single point of accountability for new manufacturing initiative outcomes, timelines, and performance.

- Influence senior stakeholders through clear communication, data-backed insights, and execution excellence.

Key Skills & Competencies:

- Strong expertise in factory setup, manufacturing scale-up, and operations leadership

- End-to-end supply chain and manufacturing integration experience

- Cost optimization, productivity improvement, and execution excellence

- Excellent cross-functional coordination and vendor management skills

- Data-driven decision-making and problem-solving abilities

- High ownership mindset with strong on-ground execution capability

Required Qualifications:

- Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Production, Manufacturing, or related disciplines).

- Postgraduate qualification or certification in Operations, Supply Chain, or Project Management is an added advantage.

Required Experience:

- 8-12 years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, supply chain management, or factory leadership roles.

- Proven experience in greenfield or brownfield factory setup, capacity expansion, or manufacturing scale-up projects.

- Strong exposure to vendor management, cost control, and operational performance management.

- Experience in metal, jewelry, precision manufacturing, engineering, or process-driven industries is preferred.