Head of Operations | Chemical Industry | Gujarat

• Candidates with experience of working in Multi Product Plant
• Candidates with Chemical Engineering with experience of managing multiple sites
  

About Our Client

• Lead all plant functions including Production, Utilities, Engineering, Maintenance, EHS, QC, and Warehousing with focus on multi-stage batch processes, output realization, efficiency, reproducibility, and ensuring plant uptime through proactive maintenance.
• Approve and drive material/energy balance, batch economics, troubleshooting of deviations, and optimization of solvent recovery units, scrubbers, and reboiler operations to maximize yield and minimize losses.
• Build a zero-incident culture, ensure safe handling of hazardous materials, enforce PPE and engineering controls, and maintain compliance with CPCB, GPCB, OSHA, ISO 14001, and other regulatory standards.
• Ensure adherence to ISO 9001, GMP, REACH, and client-specific protocols, approve accurate documentation, and lead readiness for customer, statutory, and third-party audits.
• Collaborate with R&D and Tech Transfer teams to scale up pilot batches to commercial level, validating processes, safety parameters, and cycle times for new molecules.
• Enhance profitability by improving yields, optimizing utilities, reducing reworks/off-spec production, standardizing batches, and implementing KPIs for continuous performance monitoring.
• Lead, mentor, and upskill teams across functions while deploying Lean, TPM, Kaizen, and 5S practices, implementing digital tools such as MES and OEE dashboards, and benchmarking performance against industry best practices.
  

The Successful Applicant

• A degree in Chemical Engineering; M.E./M.Tech or MBA (Operations/Industrial Management) is desirable.
• Minimum 15 years of plant experience with at least 8 years in senior plant leadership role in specialty
• chemicals, intermediates, or performance chemicals manufacturing.
• Proficiency in SAP modules (Production, Quality, Maintenance, Inventory) with high attention to process discipline, data integrity, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong leadership, analytical, decision-making, and communication skills to effectively manage teams and collaborate across functions and external stakeholders.
• Track record of driving plant performance through key KPIs including batch yield vs. standard, on-time batch completion, solvent recovery efficiency, OEE, downtime (planned vs. unplanned), and safety metrics.
• Commitment to building a safety-first culture while ensuring operational excellence, continuous improvement, and minimal customer rejections/returns.
• Proven expertise in multi-product batch manufacturing with strong knowledge of reaction kinetics, process safety, material compatibility, and hands-on exposure to utility systems such as chillers, boilers, scrubbers, ETP, and solvent recovery.
  

What's on Offer

• Leadership opportunity with one of the leading companies in the sector with opportunity to grow into a CXO level role
• Lead customer site visits; integrate operations for newly acquired domestic and overseas facilities.
  

Contact: Ravi Patel

Quote job ref: JN-082025-6823414