Key Responsibilities

A. 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.

B. 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.

C. 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.

D. 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.

E. 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.

F. 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 < 1%.

- 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.