Job Description – Operations Head – Production
Position: Operations Head – Production
Department: Production / Operations
Industry: Farm Equipment / Agricultural Implements Manufacturing
Location: [Plant Location]
Reporting To: Managing Director / Executive Director / Plant Head
Experience: 15–25 Years
Qualification: B.E./B.Tech – Mechanical / Production Engineering
Employment Type: Full-Time
Job Purpose
We are looking for an experienced Operations Head – Production to lead end-to-end manufacturing operations for agricultural implements and farm equipment. The role will be responsible for achieving production targets, improving productivity, controlling manufacturing costs, ensuring product quality, optimizing manpower and machine utilization, and ensuring timely delivery.
The ideal candidate should have strong experience in farm equipment, agricultural implements, tractor attachments, heavy engineering or automotive/component manufacturing, with hands-on exposure to production lines and shop-floor management.
Key Responsibilities1. Production & Manufacturing Operations
- Lead complete production operations from raw material to finished agricultural equipment.
- Ensure achievement of daily, weekly and monthly production targets.
- Manage production lines covering cutting, bending, fabrication, welding, machining, assembly, shot blasting, painting/powder coating and final inspection.
- Optimize manpower, machine capacity, material flow and production layouts.
- Monitor line productivity, cycle time, output and bottlenecks.
- Ensure smooth production flow and minimize downtime and production stoppages.
2. Production Planning & PPC Coordination
- Coordinate closely with PPC, Purchase, Stores, Quality and Dispatch for production planning.
- Ensure production schedules are aligned with customer orders and delivery commitments.
- Review daily production plans and actual achievement.
- Identify capacity constraints and implement corrective actions.
- Maintain optimum WIP and finished-goods inventory.
3. Quality & Process Control
- Ensure adherence to defined quality standards and process parameters.
- Work closely with the Quality team to reduce rejection, rework, customer complaints and process variation.
- Implement root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions.
- Drive Poka-Yoke, 5S, Kaizen, 7 QC Tools and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Ensure first-time-right production and process discipline.
4. Cost & Productivity Improvement
- Drive reduction in manufacturing cost, wastage, rework, overtime and material consumption.
- Improve manpower productivity and machine utilization.
- Monitor production KPIs such as:
- OEE
- Production efficiency
- Rejection & rework %
- Labour productivity
- Machine utilization
- Downtime
- On-time production
- Conversion cost
- Identify opportunities for automation and process improvement.
5. Shop-Floor & Team Management
- Lead Production Managers, Production Engineers, Supervisors, Operators and contract manpower.
- Set departmental targets and monitor individual/team performance.
- Develop manpower skills through training and multi-skilling.
- Maintain discipline and ensure adherence to SOPs and work instructions.
- Build a performance-driven and safety-focused shop-floor culture.
6. Maintenance Coordination
- Coordinate with Maintenance for preventive and breakdown maintenance.
- Minimize machine breakdowns and production losses.
- Ensure availability of critical machines, tools, fixtures and equipment.
- Support capacity expansion and installation of new machinery.
7. New Product Development & New Line Setup
- Support NPD and Engineering teams in new agricultural equipment development.
- Ensure manufacturing feasibility and production readiness.
- Participate in process planning, line layout, tooling and fixture development.
- Support new product trials, pilot production and production ramp-up.
8. Safety & Compliance
- Ensure strict implementation of plant safety procedures.
- Maintain safe working conditions across production areas.
- Ensure compliance with company SOPs, statutory requirements and applicable quality/environmental systems.
- Conduct regular shop-floor audits and corrective actions.
9. Continuous Improvement
- Drive Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 5S, TPM, Poka-Yoke and waste reduction initiatives.
- Improve material movement and production-line balancing.
- Identify bottlenecks and implement sustainable corrective actions.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement across the plant.
Preferred Industry Experience
Candidates from the following industries will be preferred:
- Agricultural Implements / Farm Equipment
- Tractor Attachments
- Agricultural Machinery
- Heavy Engineering
- Automotive Components
- Construction Equipment
- Tractor / Off-Highway Equipment
- Fabrication & Welding-based Manufacturing
Preferred product exposure: Rotavator, Cultivator, Potato Digger, Plough, Mulcher, Slasher, Hay Rake, Seed Drill, Power Weeder, Tractor Attachments and similar agricultural implements.
Required Skills
- Strong production and shop-floor management
- Excellent knowledge of fabrication, welding and assembly processes
- Production planning and capacity management
- Manpower and machine optimization
- Cost reduction and productivity improvement
- Quality and process control
- Lean Manufacturing / Kaizen / 5S / TPM
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Leadership and team-management capabilities
- Good knowledge of ERP/SAP and production MIS
- Strong analytical and communication skills
Educational Qualification
B.E./B.Tech in Mechanical / Production / Industrial Engineering preferred.
MBA/PGDM in Operations or Production Management will be an added advantage.
Experience
15–25 years of relevant manufacturing experience, including significant experience in a senior production/operations leadership role.
Candidates with strong experience in farm equipment/agricultural implements manufacturing will be highly preferred.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Achievement of production targets
- On-time production and delivery
- OEE improvement
- Reduction in rejection and rework
- Reduction in manufacturing cost
- Labour productivity
- Machine utilization
- Reduction in downtime
- WIP reduction
- Improvement in production efficiency
- Safety performance
- Continuous improvement/Kaizen implementation
- Team productivity and manpower optimization
Pay: ₹50,000.00 - ₹75,000.00 per month
Work Location: In person
