Senior Vice President/Site Head - Plant Operations - Chemical Manufacturing Firm

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Senior Vice President / Site Head to lead end-to-end plant operations for a large-scale chemical manufacturing facility. The role requires a strategic leader with deep expertise in chemical plant operations, manufacturing excellence, safety compliance, operational efficiency, and team leadership.

The ideal candidate should have extensive experience managing integrated chemical manufacturing sites, driving operational performance, ensuring EHS compliance, and leading large cross-functional teams while achieving business and production targets.

Key Responsibilities :

- Lead complete site operations including production, maintenance, utilities, EHS, quality, supply chain, and engineering functions.

- Drive operational excellence across manufacturing units to ensure maximum productivity, efficiency, and profitability.

- Ensure uninterrupted plant operations while maintaining optimal capacity utilization.

- Develop and implement long-term operational strategies aligned with organizational objectives.

- Oversee production planning and execution to meet business and customer demand requirements.

- Improve manufacturing processes through Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, and continuous improvement initiatives.

- Monitor plant KPIs including OEE, yield improvement, downtime reduction, energy efficiency, and cost optimization.

- Ensure adherence to production schedules, quality standards, and regulatory guidelines.

- Ensure strict compliance with all environmental, health, safety, and statutory regulations.

- Drive a strong safety culture across the plant with focus on zero harm and process safety management.

- Lead audits related to safety, environment, pollution control, and statutory compliance.

- Implement best practices in hazardous chemical handling and risk management.

- Oversee preventive, predictive, and breakdown maintenance activities.

- Ensure reliability and efficiency of plant equipment and utilities.

- Lead plant modernization, automation, debottlenecking, and capex projects.

- Manage plant budgets, operational costs, and resource allocation.

- Drive cost reduction initiatives without compromising safety and quality.

- Monitor profitability and operational efficiency metrics.

- Support strategic planning and investment decisions for plant expansion and growth.

- Lead and mentor senior leadership teams across operations, engineering, quality, and EHS.

- Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and innovation.

- Collaborate with corporate leadership, customers, vendors, regulatory authorities, and external stakeholders.

- Drive employee engagement, succession planning, and talent development initiatives.

- Participate in strategic business planning and organizational growth initiatives.

- Support new product introduction and scale-up activities.

- Lead transformation initiatives for operational excellence and digital manufacturing adoption.

- Ensure alignment between business goals and manufacturing capabilities.

Required Skills & Competencies :

- Strong expertise in chemical manufacturing operations and plant management

- Knowledge of process engineering and production optimization

- Experience in handling large-scale continuous/discrete chemical plants

- Strong understanding of EHS, process safety management (PSM), and statutory compliance

- Expertise in TPM, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and Operational Excellence

- Exposure to plant automation and digital manufacturing initiatives

- Knowledge of utilities, maintenance systems, and engineering practices

- Strategic leadership and decision-making

- Strong people management and team-building capabilities

- Crisis management and problem-solving skills

- Stakeholder and vendor management

- Change management and transformation leadership

- Strong communication and negotiation abilities

- Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering (mandatory)

- Masters degree / MBA preferred

- Certifications in Lean Six Sigma, TPM, Safety Management, or Operational Excellence preferred