Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Operations Management
- Develop and implement operational strategies aligned with the company's business objectives for the Safety Footwear division.
- Plan and execute annual business targets, including production volumes, quality standards, and cost optimization goals.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and Six Sigma methodologies.
- Ensure strict compliance with ISO, BIS, EN, and other international quality standards relevant to safety footwear manufacturing.
- Production & Capacity Planning
- Oversee end-to-end production operations across all safety footwear manufacturing lines.
- Optimize production schedules to meet demand forecasts while ensuring on-time delivery and resource utilization.
- Monitor capacity and implement strategies for capacity enhancement and productivity improvement.
- Coordinate closely with the R&D team for new product development and process innovations.
- Quality, Safety & Compliance
- Ensure 100% compliance with safety regulations, labour laws, and environmental norms.
- Lead initiatives to enhance product quality and minimize defects through root cause analysis and process controls.
- Oversee the implementation of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and preventive maintenance schedules to minimize downtime.
- People & Performance Management
- Lead a large cross-functional team comprising plant heads, production managers, supervisors, and operators.
- Drive employee engagement, capability building, and succession planning within the unit.
- Set clear KRAs and KPIs for team members, conduct regular performance reviews, and foster a high-performance culture.
- Cost & Resource Optimization
- Monitor operational budgets and implement measures to reduce manufacturing costs without compromising quality.
- Drive energy efficiency, material utilization, and waste reduction initiatives.
- Collaborate with procurement and supply chain teams to ensure timely availability of raw materials at optimal costs.
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Act as a bridge between production, R&D, marketing, sales, finance, and HR teams.
- Work closely with the leadership team to evaluate new business opportunities and market expansion plans.
- Support internal audits, vendor evaluations, and stakeholder meetings to drive business excellence.
Key Deliverables / KPIs
Production Targets: Achieving 100% planned output with minimum downtime. Quality Metrics: First-pass yield - 98%, rejection rate
Cost Optimization: Achieve defined savings in operational costs year-on-year. On-Time Delivery: - 95% adherence to customer delivery schedules. Process Efficiency: Productivity improvement - 10% annually. Safety & Compliance: Zero major accidents and full statutory compliance.
Desired Candidate Profile
Experience: 15+ years in managing operations in footwear / leather / PPE / large-scale manufacturing, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
Technical Expertise
: Deep knowledge of safety footwear production processes, machinery, and raw materials.
Leadership Skills
: Strong people management, decision-making, and conflict-resolution capabilities.
Process Orientation
: Hands-on exposure to Lean, TPM, Six Sigma, and ERP systems (SAP preferred).
Business Acumen
: Strong understanding of P&L management, capacity planning, and operational cost drivers.(ref:iimjobs.com)