Plant / Factory Manager

The Plant Head will be responsible for the end-to-end operations of the manufacturing facility, ensuring excellence in production, quality, delivery, cost control, and compliance in line with aerospace standards. This role demands strong leadership with deep technical expertise in precision machining, CNC operations, and sheet metal fabrication, along with a solid understanding of aerospace quality systems.

Key Responsibilities

1. Plant Operations Management

• Lead and manage daily plant operations including CNC machining, VMC, turn-mill, sliding head, and sheet metal fabrication.
• Ensure production targets, OEE, and delivery schedules are consistently met.
• Drive capacity planning, resource allocation, and workflow optimization.
• Implement lean manufacturing, Kaizen, and continuous improvement initiatives.

2. Quality & Compliance

• Ensure strict adherence to aerospace quality standards such as AS9100, ISO 9001, NADCAP.
• Lead quality assurance, quality control, and inspection systems.
• Drive zero-defect culture and root cause analysis (RCA, CAPA).
• Handle customer audits and regulatory audits effectively.

3. Technical Expertise

• Strong knowledge of:
• CNC machining (turning, milling, multi-axis)
• Sheet metal processes (laser cutting, bending, welding, forming)
• Tooling, fixtures, and process optimization
• Familiarity with CAM software (e.g., ESPRIT, SolidCAM) and engineering drawings (GD&T).
• Drive process validation and new product development (NPD).

4. Team Leadership & Development

• Lead cross-functional teams including Production, Quality, Maintenance, Planning, and Supply Chain.
• Build a high-performance culture with accountability and ownership.
• Train and develop team members in technical and quality standards.
• Ensure proper manpower planning and succession development.

5. Planning & Supply Chain Coordination

• Coordinate with procurement and planning teams for timely material availability.
• Ensure inventory control and cost optimization.
• Monitor production planning (MRP) and scheduling adherence.

6. Financial & Cost Management

• Manage plant budgets, cost control, and profitability.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction and productivity improvement.
• Monitor machine utilization, rejection costs, and rework levels.

7. Maintenance & Infrastructure

• Ensure preventive and predictive maintenance systems are in place.
• Minimize downtime and ensure machine efficiency and reliability.
• Oversee plant infrastructure, safety, and compliance.

8. Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and environmental norms.
• Promote a zero-accident culture across the plant.
• Conduct regular safety audits and training programs.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and decision-making ability
• In-depth knowledge of aerospace manufacturing standards
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• Expertise in lean manufacturing & process improvement
• Strong communication and stakeholder management
• High level of accountability and ownership

Educational Qualification

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical / Production / Industrial Engineering
• MBA (Operations) – Preferred

Preferred Industry Experience

• Aerospace manufacturing
• Precision machining
• Sheet metal fabrication
• Automotive Tier-1 (high precision components)

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• On-time delivery (OTD)
• First-pass yield (FPY)
• Rejection & rework rates
• Machine utilization (OEE)
• Cost per component
• Audit compliance scores