Associate Manager

Position: Associate Manager – IMS & Operational Excellence

Company: Jindal Ferrous Limited

Function: Operational Excellence / Integrated Management Systems

Reporting To: Section In‑Charge / Head – IMS & Operational Excellence

Role Purpose

The Associate Manager – IMS & Operational Excellence is responsible for driving, governing, and continuously improving the Integrated Management System (IMS) across JSL in alignment with Quality, Environment, Occupational Health & Safety, Energy Management, and Applicable Certification Standards.

The role entails strategic deployment, assurance, and effectiveness monitoring of IMS and Operational Excellence (OE) frameworks across departments, ensuring regulatory and certification compliance while embedding a strong culture of process discipline, continual improvement, and risk-based thinking.

Key Responsibilities

Integrated Management System (IMS) Governance & Deployment

• Lead the end-to-end deployment, maintenance, and continual improvement of IMS covering ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, IATF 16949, ISO 50001, and related management system requirements.
• Act as IMS process owner, ensuring uniform interpretation, deployment, and effectiveness of QEOHS & EnMS standards across plants and functions.
• Drive integration of IMS with operational processes, digital platforms, and enterprise systems to minimize duplication and improve effectiveness.
  
  

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Facilitate and govern Operational Excellence initiatives at departmental and unit levels, including:
• Quality Circles (QC)
• Lean Kaizen & Small Group Improvement Activities
• 5S & Workplace Management
• Allied concepts such as LQC and Standardization
• Track maturity, outcomes, and tangible benefits of OE initiatives using objective, auditable metrics.
  

Audit, Compliance & Risk Management

• Plan, manage, and govern the IMS internal audit programme, ensuring:
• Risk-based audit coverage
• Auditor competence and neutrality
• Timely closure and verification of audit findings
• Ensure robust root cause analysis (RCA) mechanisms and effectiveness monitoring for corrective and preventive actions.
• Coordinate with certification bodies, customers, and regulatory agencies for external audits, surveillance, and recertification activities.
  

Management Review & Performance Monitoring

• Facilitate Management Review Meetings (MRM) by:
• Consolidating IMS performance data
• Analyzing trends, risks, and improvement opportunities
• Presenting actionable insights to leadership
• Develop and monitor IMS-related KPIs and performance indices for departments and HODs to drive accountability.
  

Laboratory Accreditation & Product/System Certification

• Lead preparation, documentation, and implementation of NABL accreditation (ISO 17025) for materials and testing laboratories.
• Support product, process, and system certification initiatives aligned with customer, statutory, and industry requirements.
  
  

Systems, Tools & Technical Expertise

• Apply working knowledge of:
• FMEA, IATF 16949 – Core Tools (APQP, PPAP, SPC, MSA)
• Process, product, and layout audits
• SAP QM and MM modules for quality and material management integration
• Enable effective utilization and continuous enhancement of IMS & QC digital portals.
  

Capability Building & Change Management

• Identify training needs for IMS and OE core teams and facilitate structured capability building programs.
• Lead awareness sessions, audits, workshops, and improvement forums to strengthen IMS and OE culture across the organization.
• Act as a mentor and subject-matter expert (SME) for cross-functional IMS and OE initiatives.
  
  

Stakeholder Coordination

• Work closely with EHS, Manufacturing, QA, Utilities, Maintenance, HR, and Corporate Sustainability teams to ensure cohesive deployment of IMS.
• Coordinate with third-party consultants, certification bodies, and external agencies for audits, assessments, and improvement projects.
  
  

Authority & Decision-Making Scope

• Approve and review IMS documentation, procedures, formats, and records (QMS / EMS / OHSMS / EnMS).
• Review, approve, and monitor corrective actions, RCA quality, and effectiveness closures across departments.
• Approve amendments, enhancements, and structural changes to IMS & QC online portals.
• Review and finalize IMS internal audit plans, schedules, and auditor deployment.
• Recommend and initiate system improvements, policy revisions, and governance enhancements related to IMS and OE.
  
  

Key Competencies & Skills

• Strong grounding in Integrated Management Systems and Operational Excellence frameworks
• High analytical capability and comfort with data-driven decision-making
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority
• Excellent documentation, facilitation, and presentation skills for leadership forums
• Strong problem-solving mindset with focus on root cause and systemic improvement
  
  

Education & Experience

• B. Sc./B.Tech / BE (preferred) with Management qualification (MBA / PGDM – desirable)
• 4 – 6 years of experience in IMS, Quality, EHS, Operational Excellence, or Business Excellence, preferably in large manufacturing organizations
• Lead Auditor / Internal Auditor certifications (ISO / IATF / ISO 50001 / ISO 17025) preferred