Plant Head

Location: Desar, Vadodara

Job Summary:

We are looking for an experienced and visionary Plant Head to lead the overall operations of our Grain-Based Ethanol Plant. The candidate will be responsible for strategic planning, plant performance, operational excellence, compliance, budgeting, and people management. This role requires deep expertise in ethanol manufacturing processes, utilities, by-product optimization, and project execution.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Operations Management

• Provide leadership for end-to-end ethanol plant operations ensuring productivity, safety, and profitability.
• Drive operational excellence through continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure achievement of production targets and plant efficiency KPIs.

Production & Technical Oversight

• Oversee fermentation, distillation, evaporation, drying and utility operations.
• Resolve bottlenecks and implement process optimization strategies.
• Ensure maximum recovery of ethanol and by-products like DDGS, corn oil, and CO₂.

Project & Expansion Management

• Lead revamping, debottlenecking and expansion projects.
• Plan and monitor CAPEX/OPEX budgets, resource allocations and timelines.

Financial & Cost Control

• Manage operational expenditure and ensure adherence to budgetary controls.
• Monitor and improve yield, RM consumption, and energy performance metrics.

Maintenance, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure preventive and predictive maintenance practices across departments.
• Comply with statutory norms (PESO, PCB, CPCB, Factory Act, etc.).
• Promote a culture of workplace safety and sustainability.

People & Team Leadership

• Lead, develop and retain multi-disciplinary plant teams.
• Encourage cross-functional coordination and employee engagement.
• Ensure manpower planning, training, and performance reviews.

Stakeholder Management

• Coordinate with corporate office, supply chain, procurement, QA/QC and external agencies.
• Support management in strategic decisions with MIS and plant data.

Required Skills and Competencies:

• Strong leadership, decision-making and communication skills.
• Expertise in ethanol process, utilities and plant engineering.
• Strong financial acumen and budget handling.
• Experience with ZLD, automation, and energy-efficient technologies.
• Exposure to ERP, SCADA/DCS systems, and plant MIS reporting.
• Knowledge of statutory and environmental compliance.
• Proven experience in team building and conflict resolution.

Preferred Background:

• Managed large-scale (140 KLD and above) ethanol/distillery units.
• Experience in handling O&M contracts or BOO/BOOT model plants.
• Handled commissioning, revamp or capacity enhancement projects.
• Exposure to ISO, HACCP, ESG and sustainability frameworks.