Head Operations - (Automotive Gears Manufacturing)

Role Overview

We are seeking an accomplished, dynamic Head Operations to lead end-to-end plant operations for a high-performance Automotive Gear Manufacturing facility in Indore. The role is responsible for driving operational excellence, high-volume productivity, world-class quality standards, cost competitiveness, capacity utilization, and OTIF (On-Time In-Full) customer delivery while fostering a shop-floor culture of TPM, Lean, and continuous improvement.

Role & responsibilities

• End-to-End Plant Operations: Direct daily plant operations across Production, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Assurance, Maintenance, Materials/PPC, and Process Improvement.
• Operational Strategy & P&L Alignment: Formulate and execute operational roadmaps aligned with business expansion, plant profitability, customer expectations, and annual operating plans (AOP).
• KPI Governance: Monitor, analyze, and optimize core plant KPIs including OEE, scrap/rejection rates, rework, downtime, direct labor productivity, and per-piece manufacturing cost.
• Manufacturing & Technical Excellence: Oversee precision machining and gear generation lines, driving cycle-time reduction, automation, tooling optimization, and waste elimination.
• World-Class Methodologies: Institutionalize Lean Manufacturing, TPM (Total Productive Maintenance), Kaizen, 5S, and Six Sigma frameworks across all manufacturing cells.
• Capacity & Production Planning: Align capacity forecasting, resource allocation, and shop-floor scheduling to achieve 100% on-time delivery for OEM and Tier-1 automotive programs.
• NPI & Engineering Validation: Lead New Product Introductions (NPI), APQP/PPAP milestones, machine buy-offs, process validation, and technology upgradation projects.

Preferred candidate profile

• Experience: 15+ years of solid operations and plant management experience within Automotive Precision Machining / Gear Manufacturing setups.
• Technical Mastery: In-depth, hands-on knowledge of Gear Hobbing, Gear Shaping, Gear Grinding, Broaching, CNC Turning, VMC, and Heat Treatment (Carburizing / SQF) processes.
• Education: B.E. / B.Tech in Mechanical / Production / Manufacturing Engineering from a recognized university.