Operations head

Operational Head – OEM Production (COO Level)

The Operational Head will own end-to-end responsibility for OEM production operations — from production planning and shop-floor execution to quality, delivery, cost control and people leadership. This is a COO-level mandate: the incumbent will act as the senior-most operations leader for the OEM manufacturing vertical, driving plant performance, OEM customer satisfaction, and operational scale-up, while working closely with the Managing Director and leadership team on strategy and growth.

●        Own full P&L responsibility for OEM production operations, driving productivity, cost efficiency and profitability across the plant.

●        Lead end-to-end manufacturing operations — production planning, shop-floor execution, capacity planning, and on-time OEM delivery.

●        Build and scale OEM production capability, including new line set-up, process standardization, and capacity expansion to meet growing OEM order volumes.

●        Drive quality systems (IATF 16949 / ISO 9001 / customer-specific OEM standards) to ensure zero-defect delivery and strong OEM customer audits.

●        Establish and monitor operational KPIs — OEE, first-pass yield, on-time-in-full (OTIF), scrap/rework, cost per unit — and drive continuous improvement (Lean, Kaizen, Six Sigma).

●        Manage supply chain, procurement and inventory planning in coordination with SCM to ensure uninterrupted OEM production.

●        Lead, mentor and build a strong second line of plant leadership across Production, Quality, Maintenance, Planning and Warehouse functions.

●        Act as the key operational point of contact for OEM/automotive customers on capacity, quality, delivery commitments and new program launches (APQP/PPAP).

●        Ensure compliance with statutory, safety (EHS) and regulatory requirements across the plant.

●        Partner with the Managing Director and senior leadership on capital investment planning, new plant/line set-up, automation initiatives, and long-term operational strategy.

●        Drive a strong performance and accountability culture across the OEM production organization.

●        Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, with a substantial portion in the Automotive and/or Cable Harness / Wire Harness industry.

●        Proven experience managing OEM production programs, including new product launches (APQP/PPAP), OEM audits and customer quality requirements.

●        Prior experience in a senior plant leadership role — Plant Head / VP Operations / COO / Operational Head — with full P&L and team leadership accountability.

●        Strong working knowledge of IATF 16949, ISO 9001, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma and modern production/planning systems (ERP/MRP).

●        Bachelors degree in Engineering (Mechanical / Electrical / Production/Industrial); MBA or equivalent management qualification preferred.

●        Demonstrated experience scaling manufacturing capacity and leading large, multi-functional plant teams.

●        Strategic operations leadership with hands-on shop-floor orientation

●        Strong OEM/automotive customer management and program execution

●        Cable harness / wire harness manufacturing process expertise

●        P&L ownership, cost control and operational excellence mindset

●        Team building, people leadership and change management

●        Data-driven decision-making and KPI-led performance management

●        High ownership, urgency and ability to join immediately