Job Overview
We are seeking a high-energy, technically proficient Head of Production to lead plant operations at our manufacturing facility in Daman. The ideal candidate will take end-to-end ownership of manufacturing high-end modular office furniture, luxury residential furniture, bespoke millwork, and interior joinery.
Deep hands-on machinery knowledge is mandatory for this role. You will be responsible for driving production targets, machinery optimization, maintenance protocols, quality assurance, team leadership, and process automation to ensure world-class product execution.
Key Responsibilities
1. Production Leadership & Operational Execution
- Lead, schedule, and optimize daily production floor operations across panel processing, solid wood, metalwork, assembly, upholstery, and finishing departments.
- Translate CAD/CAM drawings, production schedules, and Bill of Materials (BOM) into actionable shop-floor work orders.
- Achieve plant production KPIs: On-Time In-Full (OTIF) delivery, Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), throughput speed, scrap reduction, and unit costs.
2. Machinery Knowledge & Technical Management (Core Requirement)
- Direct hands-on expertise in setting up, operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining modern woodworking and joinery machinery:
o Panel Processing: CNC Router Centers (Homag, Biesse, SCM, etc.), Beam Saws / Panel Saws, Automatic Edgebanders (PUR/EVA glue units), Multi-Boring / Dowel Inserters.
o Surface & Finishing: Vacuum Membrane Presses, Lacquer/Paint Spray Booths, UV Coating Lines, Sanding Machines
o Solid Wood & Metal: Tenoners, Moulders, Hydraulic Presses, TIG/MIG welding, and metal fabrication equipment for luxury furniture components.
- Implement Preventive Maintenance (PM) schedules and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) to minimize downtime.
- Manage tooling inventory, cutter replacements, calibration standards, and spare parts management.
3. Quality Control & Standards
- Enforce stringent quality checks at raw material intake, in-process stages (cutting, edge-banding, machining, sanding), and final product inspection before dispatch.
- Maintain international quality and safety benchmarks (ISO standards) for finish, dimensional accuracy, structural durability, and hardware fitting.
4. Material Utilization & Cost Control
- Maximize yield on raw materials (MDF, Plywood, Veneers, Laminates, Solid Wood, Hardware, and Coatings) through optimal nesting software usage and material handling.
- Implement lean manufacturing practices (5S, Kaizen, Six Sigma) to eliminate waste and optimize shop-floor workflow.
5. Team Leadership & Resource Management
- Supervise and mentor department heads, supervisors, line operators, CNC programmers, technicians, and floor labor.
- Conduct regular skills-gap analysis and technical training on modern CNC machinery, operator safety, and precision craftsmanship.
Key Qualifications & Skills
- Education: B.E. / B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering, Production Engineering, Wood Technology, or equivalent technical discipline.
- Experience: 12 to 20+ years of manufacturing experience, with at least 5+ years in a senior leadership role (Factory Manager, DGM, or Head of Production) within modular furniture, wood processing, interior fit-outs, or joinery manufacturing.
- Machinery Expertise (Must-Have): Deep technical command of automated CNC woodworking machinery, panel saws, edgebanders, sanding lines, and finishing systems.
- Software Skills: Hands-on familiarity with CAD/CAM software (WoodWOP, bSolid, AlphaCAM, CutRite, OptiPlanning) and ERP systems (SAP/Oracle/MS Dynamics or custom production ERPs).
- Leadership: Proven track record of managing a multi-disciplinary factory workforce of 100+ floor personnel.
- Location: Must be willing to relocate to or be based in Daman
