DGM - Production Pilot line

Purpose of the Role

Own end-to-end process management of the entire Pilot Line, including planning and execution of chemistry changeovers (e.g., LFP to NMC, or any other emerging chemistry) to support R&D trials and new product qualification. Organize and control Pilot Line operations across all process areas E/A/B zones to support process qualification, DOE trials, and yield/quality improvement targets across chemistries.

Key Responsibility Areas

Manpower, Line & Shop-floor Management

• Plan and manage manpower deployment across the Pilot Line including shift/line management, attendance, multi-skilling, and readiness for changeover-driven workload swings.
• Own overall shop-floor management of the Pilot Line, day-to-day activities across process areas, work allocation, housekeeping (5S), and coordination across electrode, cutting/stacking, cell assembly, welding, formation & aging, and inspection stations.
• Manage non-standard procurement and consumables required for pilot builds (trial materials, spares, tooling, jigs/fixtures, chemistry-specific PPE), coordinating with Procurement/Stores to avoid trial downtime.
  
  

Knowledge Generic

Process Ownership & Chemistry Changeover Management

• Own the Pilot Line process end-to-end across all process areas, including planning, sequencing, and executing changeovers between chemistries (e.g., LFP to NMC or other future chemistries) with minimal downtime.
• Define and maintain changeover procedures, process parameters, and equipment settings/fixtures required for each chemistry, ensuring the line can be reconfigured quickly and repeatably for new trials.
  
  

Job Context

Functional

• Organize and implement Pilot Line process/changeover strategies and action plans across all process areas to attain process-validation and productivity targets across chemistries.
• Capture, analyze, and report trial data (process capability, NG rates, root-cause analysis) to support go/no-go decisions on process and equipment readiness for mass production.
• Initiate plans and processes which minimize Pilot Line costs through effective utilization of manpower, equipment, facilities, materials, energy, and trial-cell capital across changeovers.
  
  

Job Context Specific

Coordination with R&D, Commercial & Quality

• Coordinate with the R&D team to align pilot-line trial plans and changeover schedules with new chemistry/product development roadmaps, translating technical requirements into achievable pilot-line builds.
• Coordinate with the Commercial team to understand customer and sample requirements, prioritize pilot-line build sequencing accordingly, and ensure timely delivery of trial cells/samples against commitments.
  
  

Knowledge Specific

B.E in (Mechanical/Electrical /Chemical), Six Sigma Certified / 10–15+ years leading manufacturing/pilot-line operations in Li-ion cell, EV battery pack, or solar cell manufacturing, with NPI, process validation, or multi-chemistry changeover exposure. Strong process knowledge across electrode/mixing-coating, cutting/stacking, cell assembly, welding, formation & aging, and vision inspection, including how process parameters shift across chemistries. Skilled in exception handling, NG/CAPA management, and problem-solving tools (8D, Six Sigma, 7 QC, 5-Why, Fishbone, FMEA, DOE). Working knowledge of IATF 16949, SAP/ERP, and MES for shop-floor data and compliance. Proven cross-functional coordination with R&D, Commercial, and Quality to translate production needs into a pilot-line plan