Head - Manufacturing

Key Responsibilities :

Technology Transfer (ToT) & Industrialization :

- Lead end-to-end execution of Technology Transfer (ToT) programs from foreign and domestic OEM/technology partners.

• Develop detailed industrialization plans for transferred technologies including :

• 1. Process documentation
• 2. Manufacturing work instructions
• 3. Tooling and fixtures
• 4. Localization plans
• 5. Assembly procedures
• 6. Testing and qualification processes

• Convert prototype or semi-knocked-down systems into fully manufacturable products in India.

• Coordinate with partner engineering teams for knowledge transfer, training, documentation, process validation, and production readiness.

- Establish manufacturing capability maturity plans from assembly to indigenous production.

Manufacturing Operations :

- Set up and manage manufacturing facilities for aerospace, defence, UAV, autonomous systems, electronics, electro-mechanical systems, and precision engineering products.

• Drive production planning, line balancing, takt time optimization, productivity enhancement, and manufacturing efficiency.

• Establish scalable manufacturing systems for low-volume/high-complexity as well as future high-volume production programs.

• Implement lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives.

- Ensure achievement of production targets related to quality, cost, delivery, and safety.

Supply Chain & Vendor Development :

- Lead the complete supply chain and procurement functions including :

• 1. Strategic sourcing
• 2. Vendor development
• 3. Localization
• 4. Inventory management
• 5. Material planning
• 6. Logistics coordination

• Develop and qualify domestic supplier ecosystem for defence and aerospace-grade manufacturing.

• Drive indigenization initiatives aligned with Government of India policies and defence localization goals.

- Ensure long-lead items, imported components, and critical materials are managed effectively for uninterrupted production.

Quality, Compliance & Certifications :

- Establish robust quality management systems aligned with :

• 1. AS9100
• 2. ISO 9001
• 3. Defence quality standards
• 4. ESD and electro-mechanical manufacturing standards

• Ensure compliance with all defence manufacturing, industrial security, export control, and regulatory requirements applicable to Indian Licensed Defence Companies (ILDCs).

- Lead qualification, acceptance testing, process audits, and customer inspections.

Cross-Functional Leadership :

- Work closely with engineering, program management, R&D, business development, and partner organizations for successful program execution.

• Build and mentor a high-performance manufacturing and supply chain organization.

• - Support strategic planning for future manufacturing expansion including greenfield
• manufacturing facilities and advanced production capabilities.

• Desired Candidate Profile :

Education :

Bachelors or Masters degree in any of the following streams :

• Mechanical Engineering

• Production Engineering

• Aerospace Engineering

• Industrial Engineering

• Electronics Engineering

• Manufacturing Engineering

- or related disciplines

Experience :

- 15+ years of experience in manufacturing leadership roles.

- Strong experience in defence, aerospace, UAV, automotive, electronics, autonomous systems, or high-reliability engineering industries.

• Proven experience in :

• a. Technology Transfer (ToT)
• b. Manufacturing scale-up
• c. Industrialization
• d. Supply chain management
• e. Vendor development
• f. Production engineering
• - Experience in establishing manufacturing operations from greenfield stage will be highly
• preferred.
• - Exposure to defence manufacturing ecosystem, licensed production, and international OEM collaborations is desirable.

• Technical & Functional Skills :

- Strong understanding of :

• 1. Precision manufacturing
• 2. Electro-mechanical assembly
• 3. Aerospace/defence quality systems
• 4. Production engineering
• 5. Manufacturing process validation
• 6. Supply chain optimization

• Familiarity with ERP systems and digital manufacturing practices.

• Strong commercial, negotiation, and supplier management capabilities.

- Ability to work in a fast-scaling, high-ownership environment.

Leadership Attributes :

- Strong execution mindset with hands-on leadership approach.

• Ability to build systems and processes from scratch.

• Excellent stakeholder management and cross-cultural coordination skills.

• High integrity, discipline, and accountability.

- Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in strategic and mission-critical programs.

Key Success Metrics :

- Successful absorption and localization of transferred technologies.

• Production readiness and timely industrialization of products.

• Manufacturing quality and yield improvement.

• Supply chain robustness and vendor ecosystem development.

• Cost optimization and on-time delivery performance.

- Compliance with defence and aerospace manufacturing standards