Unit Head - Manufacturing Plant

Job Description

Business and Unit Brief

Aditya Birla Group is building a pipeline of accomplished manufacturing leaders for Unit Head opportunities across its process manufacturing businesses in India. The role will lead a large and complex manufacturing operation with end-to-end accountability for safe, reliable, sustainable and profitable performance. The specific Group company, business and plant location will be shared with shortlisted candidates at a later stage of the selection process.

The operating environment may involve complex process technologies, multiple raw-material and product streams, demanding quality and service expectations, significant supply-chain and logistics interfaces, stringent statutory and environmental requirements, and a diverse workforce and stakeholder ecosystem. The successful leader will combine strategic orientation with strong execution, operating discipline, commercial judgement, stakeholder maturity and the ability to build a high-performing organisation.

Role Details

Role Purpose:Lead the end-to-end performance of a large process manufacturing unit, with accountability for strategy execution, production, profitability, safety, reliability, supply chain, governance, stakeholder management and people leadership. The Unit Head will integrate priorities across functions, strengthen operating discipline and build a high-performance, future-ready organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Unit Strategy and Business Planning :Align unit strategy with the overall business and manufacturing strategy anticipate market, competitive and regulatory shifts provide unit-level insights on product mix, capacity utilisation and optimisation and translate strategic priorities into annual operating plans and clear functional objectives.
• Operations, Production and Profitability :Deliver production, quality, cost, service and profitability objectives in line with approved plans and SOPs. Provide direction across unit functions, resolve competing priorities, authorise critical operating decisions and maintain a robust management information system aligned with business and corporate requirements.
• Integrated Planning, Supply Chain and Logistics:Drive forecasting, procurement planning, production planning, scheduling, sequencing, inventory and logistics for a complex multi-input, multi-output operation. Ensure timely, safe and cost-effective availability of raw materials, packing materials, equipment, spares and services, while maximising plant utilisation and working-capital efficiency.
• Capital Plans, Technology and Continuous Improvement:Evaluate and prioritise capex for expansion, modification, debottlenecking and technology upgrades secure necessary approvals and hold execution to agreed timelines, technical norms and cost. Champion process benchmarking, digital and technological improvement, energy conservation, cost optimisation, waste reduction, new product or grade development and continuous improvement.
• Plant Reliability and Process Excellence:Improve plant efficiency, asset reliability and process capability through preventive and predictive maintenance, disciplined operating systems and adoption of global best practices. Build strong coordination among Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Technical, R&D, Sales and Marketing, and external experts.
• Safety, Health, Environment and Sustainability:Set uncompromising standards for process, transportation, contractor and behavioural safety, environmental performance and emergency preparedness. Ensure robust risk reviews, training and compliance systems, and integrate community, labour, legal, environmental and natural-resource risks into unit decision-making.
• Management Systems, Governance and Financial Controls:Institutionalise management systems, controls and reporting that protect process integrity and ensure accuracy of financial, budget and capex information. Review unit functions on a calendarised basis, close audit and operational non-compliances, uphold the Group Code of Conduct and ensure statutory, industrial relations and employee-relations compliance.
• Stakeholder and Regulatory Management:Maintain proactive engagement with government and regulatory bodies, local administration, community representatives, industry stakeholders and other external agencies. Address matters affecting uninterrupted operations, logistics and the unit ecosystem, while ensuring that every external interaction reflects Aditya Birla Group values.
• Cross-Unit Collaboration and Synergy:Collaborate with other unit heads, business leadership and technical teams to share knowledge, resources and best practices identify opportunities for technical and cost synergy drive a consistent Group approach and strengthen learning across manufacturing locations.
• People Leadership, Capability and Engagement : Build a culture of openness, trust, accountability and performance. Set clear KRAs, conduct structured and informal employee interactions, identify critical capabilities and roles, develop succession plans, enable career growth and knowledge transition, and create a safe, inclusive and engaging workplace that attracts and retains strong talent.

Reporting Structure

Reports to: CEO/Business Unit Head

Reported by: Unit functional Leadership Team

Global Manufacturing Leadership Program

This role is part of the Global Manufacturing Leadership Program (GMLP).

The Global Manufacturing Leadership Program (GMLP) is Aditya Birla Group's flagship leadership hiring initiative focused on building the next generation of manufacturing leaders. Designed for high-potential professionals with a proven track record in manufacturing and operations, GMLP offers accelerated career growth through challenging leadership roles across the Group's diverse businesses, including Cement, Metals, Chemicals, Carbon Black, Pulp & Fibre, Mining, and other global manufacturing operations.

Through GMLP, selected candidates gain exposure to large-scale manufacturing environments, world-class technologies, cross-functional assignments, and mentorship from senior business leaders. The program is aimed at professionals who aspire to move beyond functional excellence and take on broader business and operational leadership responsibilities, while contributing to the long-term growth and transformation of one of the world's leading diversified multinational groups.

Important Note

This is a pipeline position intended to identify leadership talent for current and future Unit Head opportunities within Aditya Birla Group. Application to this posting does not relate to a single disclosed vacancy. Business, company and location details will be discussed with relevant shortlisted candidates as the process progresses.