Head - Operations - Manufacturing

About the Role:

We are looking for an experienced Head Operations to lead end-to-end operations for our India business. This is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving operational excellence across Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Planning, Procurement, Quality, Engineering, Logistics, and HSE while ensuring business growth through operational efficiency, cost optimization, and people leadership.

The ideal candidate will have strong experience managing manufacturing operations, leading cross-functional teams, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and delivering business results in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead end-to-end Manufacturing and Operations across the India business.
• Drive Operational Excellence through Lean, Continuous Improvement, and Productivity initiatives.
• Manage Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Planning, Procurement, Logistics, Engineering, Quality, and HSE functions.
• Implement and strengthen the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process.
• Improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), Right First Time (RFT), customer service levels, and operational KPIs.
• Develop and execute cost optimization and productivity improvement initiatives.
• Own operational budgets, CapEx planning, and financial performance.
• Lead quality, food safety, and compliance initiatives while ensuring adherence to statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Build a high-performance culture through leadership development, employee engagement, and change management.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration across Operations, Sales, Commercial, Finance, and other business functions.
• Lead capital investment projects, automation initiatives, and continuous improvement programs.

Desired Candidate Profile:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering / Operations / Manufacturing / Business Management.
• MBA preferred.
• 10-18 years of progressive experience in Manufacturing and Operations leadership.
• Strong experience in Food Manufacturing, FMCG, Nutraceuticals, Dairy, Pharma, or related process industries.
• Proven experience managing Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Planning, Procurement, Logistics, and Quality functions.
• Hands-on exposure to S&OP, Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, OEE, Cost Optimization, and Continuous Improvement.
• Experience in budget ownership, CapEx planning, and financial management.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage cross-functional teams and drive organizational change.
• Excellent analytical, stakeholder management, and decision-making skills.
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP preferred).

Preferred Skills:

• Manufacturing Operations
• Supply Chain Management
• S&OP
• Production Planning
• Procurement
• Logistics
• Lean Manufacturing
• Six Sigma
• Operational Excellence
• OEE
• Cost Optimization
• Budget & CapEx Management
• Quality Systems
• HSE
• Food Safety
• Continuous Improvement
• SAP / ERP
• Cross-functional Leadership
• Change Management

What We're Looking For:

• Strategic thinker with a strong execution mindset.
• Hands-on leader capable of driving operational transformation.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across functions.
• Proven track record of delivering measurable business outcomes.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, growth-oriented manufacturing environment.