Job Description
Roles & Responsibilities
- Lead and manage complete plant operations to achieve production and business targets.
- Ensure smooth functioning of all manufacturing processes including timber cutting, pallet assembly, nailing, heat treatment, finishing, and dispatch.
- Develop production plans and ensure optimum utilization of manpower, machinery, and materials.
- Monitor daily production output and ensure timely delivery commitments are met.
- Drive operational excellence and productivity improvement initiatives.
- Oversee production planning, scheduling, and execution.
- Ensure production targets are achieved with minimum downtime and wastage.
- Monitor machine efficiency, capacity utilization, and operational bottlenecks.
- Implement lean manufacturing and process optimization initiatives.
- Improve production efficiency, cycle time, and throughput.
- Ensure all products meet customer specifications and quality standards.
- Maintain compliance with ISPM-15 and export pallet standards where applicable.
- Develop and implement quality control procedures.
- Reduce rejection rates, customer complaints, and rework.
- Coordinate root cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Ensure preventive and breakdown maintenance systems are effectively implemented.
- Monitor performance and reliability of woodworking and pallet manufacturing machinery.
- Coordinate installation and commissioning of new equipment.
- Ensure minimal machine downtime and efficient maintenance planning.
- Ensure compliance with factory safety standards and statutory regulations.
- Promote a strong safety culture across the plant.
- Ensure proper use of PPE and adherence to safe operating procedures.
- Maintain housekeeping and environmental standards.
- Coordinate audits and compliance activities.
- Monitor raw material availability including timber, nails, consumables, and packaging materials.
- Coordinate with procurement and warehouse teams for uninterrupted production.
- Optimize inventory levels and reduce material wastage.
- Ensure proper storage and stock management practices.
- Control plant operating costs and improve profitability.
- Monitor production cost, wastage, labor efficiency, and energy consumption.
- Prepare operational budgets and track expenses.
- Identify opportunities for cost reduction and process improvement.
- Lead and develop production, maintenance, quality, warehouse, and support teams.
- Ensure workforce discipline, productivity, and engagement.
- Conduct performance reviews and skill development initiatives.
- Build a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
- Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly plant performance reports.
- Present operational KPIs and improvement plans to management.
- Coordinate with sales, logistics, procurement, finance, and HR departments.
- Support strategic planning and plant expansion initiatives.
Desired Candidate Profile
- MBA or additional operations management qualification preferred.
- Experience in wooden pallet manufacturing, wood products, packaging, furniture, sawmill, or related industries preferred.
- Strong exposure to high-volume manufacturing operations.
- Expertise in production planning and process optimization.
- Knowledge of woodworking machinery and industrial maintenance.
- Leadership and team management capabilities.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Cost control and budgeting experience.
- Knowledge of ERP/MIS systems.
- Understanding of safety and quality systems.
- Excellent communication and decision-making skills.