Head of Operations

Live Connections · India

Job Description: Operations Head (Sheet Metal & Press Shop)

Industry: Automotive Components (Sheet Metal Fabrication)

Department: Plant Operations & Manufacturing

Role Summary

We are seeking a dynamic, growth-oriented Operations Head with extensive experience in manual press shop environments to spearhead our automotive component manufacturing division. The ideal leader will stabilize and optimize our existing manual lines while driving our multi-location expansion strategy. This role owns end-to-end plant operations, greenfield/brownfield setup, high-volume automotive supply chain adherence, and strict compliance with IATF 16949 standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Production & Delivery : Manage daily manufacturing schedules, hit output goals, and ensure on-time shipping.
• Quality & Safety : Enforce strict safety rules (HSE/OSHA) and maintain zero-defect quality standards.
• Process Improvement : Use Lean, Six Sigma, and 5S methods to cut waste and boost machine uptime (OEE).
• Supply Chain & Inventory : Oversee material planning, procurement, and stock levels with ERP tools.
• Budget & Cost : Set operational budgets, control costs, and improve asset efficiency.
• Team Leadership : Mentor plant managers, lead training, and build a high-performance culture.

Greenfield & Multi-site Expansion

• Plant Setup: Lead the planning, layouts, machine selection, and commissioning of new manufacturing plants.

• Project Management: Control expansion timelines, capex budgeting, vendor management, and utility setups.

• SOP Deployment: Standardize manual press processes and safety controls across all new locations.

• Talent Scaling: Build, train, and deploy operational teams for new sites to ensure uniform quality and culture.

Core Operational Responsibilities

• Press Shop & Tool Room Management: Oversee high-tonnage manual mechanical and hydraulic press lines. Ensure rigorous preventive maintenance on progressive, compound, and draw dies.

• Automotive Supply Chain Adherence: Guarantee flawless adherence to strict Just-In-Time (JIT) and Just-In-Sequence (JIS) delivery schedules for major automotive OEMs.

• Quality Compliance: Champion and sustain 100% compliance with IATF 16949 frameworks, Core Tools (APQP, PPAP, FMEA, MSA, SPC), and specific customer requirements.

• Safety & Operator Protection: Enforce ironclad shop floor safety controls tailored for manual press operations (e.g., dual-hand switches, light curtains, guard rails, and proper handling ergonomics).

• Material Yield & Scrap Optimization: Monitor blanking layouts and nesting closely to maximize sheet metal utilization and structurally minimize scrap rates.

• Operational Excellence: Drive continuous improvements across sites using 5S, Kaizen, Single-Minute Exchange of Die (SMED) to minimize manual tool setup times and elevate OEE.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, Production, or Industrial Engineering. MBA in Operations is a major plus.

• Experience: 15+ years in Sheet Metal Manufacturing, with at least 5 years managing high-volume automotive OEM supply lines.

• Expansion Experience: Proven track record of setting up new plants (Greenfield projects) and scaling up manufacturing footprints.

• Technical Domain Expertise: Deep understanding of manual sheet metal stamping, deep drawing, structural welding, tool room activities, and die maintenance.

• Methodology Certifications: Certified in Lean Six Sigma Green/Black belt, well-versed in IATF 16949, and highly experienced in SMED implementation.