Plant Head

About the Job

Job Description

Plant Head
Aerospace & Defence Precision Manufacturing

Location Bangalore, India
Industry Aerospace & Defence Precision Manufacturing
Experience 15+ Years in Manufacturing Leadership
Function Plant Operations & General Management
Reports To CEO / Management
Team Size 150+ (Engineering + Production + Support Functions)
ROLE OVERVIEW
We are seeking an experienced Plant Head to take full ownership of our precision machining facility in Bangalore, India. This is a senior leadership role responsible for the end-to-end operation of the plant - covering production, engineering, production, quality, safety, administration, security, and regulatory compliance.
The successful candidate will be a hands-on leader with a proven track record in high-volume precision machining and the discipline to build world-class systems in an aerospace environment. This is a long-term commitment (5+ years) for someone ready to grow with the business.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
This role demands a rare combination of deep shop-floor machining knowledge and broad leadership capability. Below is a frank description of the profile we need, please read carefully before applying.
Industry Background - Non-Negotiable
● Must come from mass production of precision machined components - axles, crankshafts, engine parts, transmission components, or equivalent complex machined parts.
● Must have worked in aerospace & defence manufacturing companies or large-scale precision engineering organizations with exposure to high-precision machining, quality systems, process discipline, and customer compliance requirements.
● Volume matters - candidates from low-volume job shops, tool rooms, plastic component manufacturing, or non-machined-parts environments will not be considered regardless of title or years of experience.
Quality Systems & Factory Discipline
● AS9100Rev D knowledge is not a requirement - we will support aerospace quality system learning on the job.
● Must have deep familiarity with ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or Japanese/German equivalent quality systems (TPS discipline, VDA, etc.).
● The factory culture and discipline - structured problem solving, zero-defect mindset, documented processes - is what we are after.
● Strong grounding in PPAP, APQP, or equivalent new product introduction (NPI) frameworks.
● Practical knowledge of SPC, process capability studies (Cpk/Ppk), and tolerance management.

Leadership Scope
● Must have directly managed 150+ people, spanning engineering functions (process, quality, manufacturing engineering) and production - not only shop floor supervision.
● Must be comfortable owning facility-wide responsibility: operations, maintenance, admin, HR, security, EHS, and statutory compliances.
● Should have direct experience interfacing with customers, conducting or hosting audits, and managing escalations.
Technical Depth
● In-depth hands-on knowledge of 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis CNC machining.
● Ability to set up, qualify, and manage complex multi-machine production lines for flight-critical or safety-critical parts.
● Comfortable with tight tolerances across a range of metals (aluminium alloys, titanium, stainless, high-strength steel).
● Demonstrated track record driving OEE improvement, scrap reduction, cycle time reduction, and lean / kaizen initiatives.
Leadership Style & Mindset
● Hands-on when it counts - in a crisis or breakdown situation, this leader goes to the floor, not to a desk.
● A systems builder who puts structures, processes, and teams in place rather than relying on personal heroics.
● Willing and eager to learn aerospace - regulations, specifications, and customer requirements — quickly and thoroughly.
● Stable career history preferred - frequent job changes (more than 3 in the last 10 years) will be viewed as a concern.
● Not transitioning from semi-retirement - we need energy, drive, and a long runway ahead.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Plant Operations
● Own full P&L accountability for the facility including production output, cost, quality, and delivery.
● Drive OEE, productivity, and capacity utilization targets across all machining cells.
● Manage and improve production planning, scheduling, and material flow.
● Oversee maintenance and reliability of all CNC and ancillary equipment.
2. Quality & Compliance
● Lead the facility's quality management system and drive certification / re-certification processes (AS9100 in the medium term).
● Own PPAP, FAI, and customer approval processes for new part introductions.
● Manage internal audits, customer audits, and supplier audits; serve as primary point of contact during external audits.
● Ensure compliance with EHS regulations, local statutory requirements, and company policies.






3. Engineering & Continuous Improvement
● Oversee process engineering, manufacturing engineering, and tooling functions.
● Drive lean manufacturing, kaizen, and Six Sigma initiatives on the shop floor.
● Champion NPI processes from customer RFQ through first article approval.
● Support CAM programming, tooling strategy, and fixture development for complex geometries.
4. People & Organisation
● Build, develop, and retain a high-performing team across engineering, production, quality, and support functions.
● Define and implement organisational structures, KPIs, and performance management systems.
● Partner with HR on recruitment, training, succession planning, and workforce development.
5. Customer & Stakeholder Management
● Act as the plant's primary interface with customers on quality, delivery, and technical matters.
● Manage escalations with professionalism and a solution-first approach.
● Report plant performance to Group leadership with clarity and accountability.
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
● Bachelor's degree or diploma in Mechanical / Manufacturing / Production Engineering or equivalent.
● 15+ years of progressive manufacturing experience, with at least 5 years in a Plant Head, General Manager, or equivalent P&L leadership role.
● Proven experience in a Tier 1 or large-scale Tier 2 supplier environment — automotive or precision industrial.
● Demonstrable experience managing 150+ headcount including engineering and production functions.
● Deep knowledge of CNC machining (3/4/5-axis), cutting tools, fixtures, and process control.
● Strong foundation in ISO 9001 or IATF 16949 quality systems, PPAP/APQP, SPC, and GD&T.
Preferred
● Exposure to aerospace manufacturing, aerospace-grade materials, or aerospace customer requirements.
● Familiarity with AS9100, NADCAP, or Boeing / Airbus supply chain quality requirements.
● Lean / Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or above).
● Experience working or leading in a multicultural / international facility.
EXPERIENCE
● Minimum 15 years in high-volume precision machining manufacturing, with at least 5 years at plant leadership level.
● Demonstrated track record in a Tier 1 automotive or large-scale precision component supplier.
● Stable employment history - a consistent tenure record signals the long-term orientation we need.
● Willingness to relocate to / base full-time in Bangalore, India.

Additional responsibilities may be assigned based on organisational growth and business expansion needs. The organisation is in a high-growth phase - the Plant Head will be a founding pillar of our aerospace and defence precision machining capability.

Key Skills Required

Lead Plant Production & Operations

Educational Requirements

● Bachelor's degree or diploma in Mechanical / Manufacturing / Production Engineering or equivalent.