Unit Head/Plant Head - Specialty Chemicals

Unit Head - Works (Polymerization Plant)
Location: Mahad, Maharashtra
Industry: Specialty Chemicals / Polymer Manufacturing
Function: Manufacturing Operations
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced and dynamic manufacturing leader to head end-to-end operations of a large polymerization manufacturing unit. The role requires strong expertise in chemical manufacturing operations, process safety, EHS compliance, industrial relations, engineering maintenance, and operational excellence.
The incumbent will play a critical role in driving plant performance, ensuring statutory compliance, optimizing manufacturing costs, and building a high-performance shopfloor culture.
Key Responsibilities
1. Plant Operations & Production Excellence
- Lead end-to-end plant operations to ensure smooth and uninterrupted manufacturing activities
- Drive production as per business operating requirements while ensuring quality, safety, and efficiency
- Maximize capacity utilization through optimum deployment of manpower, machinery, and materials
- Drive manufacturing cost optimization through process improvements and operational efficiencies
- Ensure adherence to production targets, quality standards, and delivery timelines
- Support implementation of continuous improvement and operational excellence initiatives
2. EHS & Statutory Compliance
- Ensure strict adherence to Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) standards across plant operations

- Drive a proactive safety culture and ensure implementation of best-in-class process safety practices
- Ensure compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirements under Factory Laws, Pollution Control norms, and other applicable regulations
- Manage audits, inspections, and liaison with external authorities such as MIDC, Pollution Control Board, Factory Inspectorate, etc.
- Coordinate with Corporate/HO teams on compliance and regulatory matters
3. Engineering & Maintenance
- Lead engineering, maintenance, utilities, and packaging operations to ensure high equipment reliability and uptime
- Drive preventive and predictive maintenance systems for critical plant assets
- Support plant expansion, debottlenecking, and capital project execution activities
- Ensure effective maintenance planning and resource utilization
4. Industrial Relations & People Leadership
- Maintain healthy employee relations in a committee-driven manufacturing environment
- Handle workforce engagement, grievance management, discipline, and IR-related matters proactively
- Build a strong performance-driven and safety-oriented shopfloor culture
- Lead, mentor, and develop plant leadership teams and operational workforce
5. Systems, Governance & Operational Excellence
- Ensure adherence to SOPs, plant systems, and governance standards
- Drive implementation of TPM, Lean, 5S, Manufacturing Excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives
- Ensure strong documentation practices and audit readiness across functions
- Conduct capability-building and compliance awareness programs for teams
6. Cross-Functional Coordination
- Coordinate closely with Supply Chain, QA, Projects, and Corporate teams for seamless plant operations
- Support process improvement, productivity enhancement, and quality initiatives
- Facilitate execution of plant modifications and capital projects
Candidate Profile

Experience:
- 20+ years of experience in Chemical / Polymer / Process Manufacturing industries
- Proven leadership experience in managing large-scale manufacturing operations
- Strong exposure to polymerization or continuous process manufacturing environments preferred
- Hands-on expertise in EHS, process safety, statutory compliance, and operational excellence
- Strong experience in Employee Relations (ER/IR) and workforce management
- Demonstrated ability to drive cost optimization and productivity improvement initiatives
- Experience working in multi-functional and multi-cultural environments
Education
Mandatory: B.E. / B.Tech in Chemical Engineering
Preferred: MBA / M.Tech / PG in Operations, Industrial Management, or related disciplines
Candidates from Mechanical / Production Engineering backgrounds with relevant plant leadership experience may also be considered
What We Are Looking For?
- Strong manufacturing and operations leader with strategic and execution capabilities
- Excellent stakeholder management and decision-making skills
- Strong problem-solving and people leadership abilities
- High ownership mindset with focus on safety, compliance, and operational excellence