Plant Head

Job Description:

Role Summary

The Plant Head is a strategic leadership position responsible for the complete end-to-end management of the Rajkot manufacturing works. The incumbent will lead all plant operations — production, quality, maintenance, supply chain, safety, and human resources — with full accountability for output, cost, quality, and people. The role demands a seasoned engineering professional who can align shop-floor performance with organizational goals, drive operational efficiency, and build a high-performance plant culture.

Key Responsibilities

1. Production & Operations Management Oversee daily, weekly, and monthly production planning and scheduling to meet customer delivery commitments.Optimize machine utilization, manpower deployment, and workflow to achieve throughput targets.Monitor OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) and drive continuous improvement across all production lines.Ensure smooth coordination between design, procurement, production, and dispatch teams.Lead capacity planning initiatives and evaluate feasibility of new product lines. 
2. Quality Assurance & Compliance Champion a zero-defect mindset; ensure all products conform to customer specifications and internal quality standards.Oversee QC processes, in-process inspection, final testing, and customer acceptance procedures.Drive ISO / BIS / relevant certification compliance and prepare plant for external audits.Implement and sustain robust quality management systems (QMS) across the plant.
3.  Maintenance & Plant Engineering Ensure preventive, predictive, and breakdown maintenance schedules are rigorously followed.Oversee plant infrastructure, machinery upkeep, and capital equipment lifecycle management.Lead Lean / TPM / Kaizen initiatives to reduce downtime and improve equipment reliability.
4. Supply Chain, Stores & Vendor ManagementCoordinate with procurement for timely availability of raw materials, bought-out items, and consumables.Manage stores, inventory control, and material movement to optimize working capital. Evaluate and develop vendor relationships to ensure quality inputs at competitive costs.
5. Health, Safety, Environment & Statutory Compliance Establish and enforce a strong EHS (Environment, Health & Safety) culture across the works.Ensure compliance with Factories Act, local labour regulations, PCB norms, and all applicable statutory requirements.Conduct regular safety audits, mock drills, risk assessments, and incident investigations.
6. Cost Control & Budgeting Prepare and manage the plant's annual budget; monitor actual vs. budgeted expenditure on a monthly basis.Identify and implement cost reduction opportunities in material, energy, manpower, and overheads.Provide MIS reports and dashboards to senior management on key performance indicators.
7. People Management & Culture BuildingLead, mentor, and develop a multi-functional plant team including supervisors, engineers, and workmen.Partner with HR to drive manpower planning, recruitment, performance management, and training programmers.Foster a positive, disciplined, and collaborative work environment; address grievances proactively.Build succession pipelines and promote internal talent development.
8. Customer Interface & Project ExecutionInterface with key customers on technical specifications, delivery schedules, and post-dispatch support.Lead special / custom project execution from order review to final dispatch.Coordinate with the design and sales teams to translate customer requirements into shop-floor reality.

Technical Skills

• Strong understanding of mechanical fabrication, machining, and assembly processes.
• Proficiency in production planning tools (ERP / MRP systems preferred).
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, 5S methodologies.
• Familiarity with CAD/CAM interfaces and engineering drawings.

Leadership & Behavioral Competencies

• Decisive, hands-on leader with the ability to manage large, diverse teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability; data-driven decision-making.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills (internal and external).
• High integrity, accountability, and result-orientation.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with ownership of plant P&L outcomes.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Production output vs. monthly targets (quantity & value)
• On-Time-In-Full (OTIF) delivery to customers
• Quality rejection rate (internal & customer returns)
• Plant OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness)
• Safety metrics — zero lost-time accidents
• Plant budget adherence and cost reduction achievement
• Employee productivity and attrition management
• EHS compliance score and statutory audit outcomes