Head Manufacturing

Head Manufacturing

Location - Chennai

A leading diversified organization in the sugar and biofuel sector is seeking a seasoned manufacturing leader to head integrated operations across multiple plants. This role reports directly to the Chief Operating Officer and carries enterprise-wide responsibility for operational performance manufacturing strategy and plant excellence.

The mandate is to strengthen manufacturing capability enhance operational efficiency and drive sustainable growth across a complex multi-site footprint.

Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple integrated manufacturing units

• Drive improvements in throughput recovery cost structure and asset utilization

• Ensure best-in-class standards in safety statutory compliance environmental stewardship and quality

• Lead and develop plant leadership teams building a high-performance manufacturing culture

• Oversee annual operating plans manufacturing budgets and capital investment programs

• Institutionalize KPI-driven performance management systems

• Champion modernization initiatives including automation digitization and process optimization

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional leadership including finance supply chain HR and commercial functions

The Ideal Candidate

• Demonstrated success in leading multi-plant manufacturing operations within the sugar and biofuel industry

• Strong techno-commercial orientation with hands-on operational depth

• Deep understanding of sugar processing co-generation and distillery operations

• Proven ability to manage scale complexity and diverse teams

• Track record of driving transformation performance improvement and cost leadership

Background & Experience

• Engineering graduate (Mechanical or Chemical preferred); advanced management qualification desirable

• Approximately 18 22 years of experience including 3 5 years in a multi-plant leadership role

• Experience managing sizable operations with significant turnover and operational complexity

• Leadership maturity typically aligned with professionals in their mid-career executive phase