Head of Operations / Plant Head

Job Description

CRA is an engineering company with over 30 years of experience delivering custom-engineered systems to the Energy and Defence sectors. We design and manufacture robust, high-performance solutions including combustion systems, biogas processing packages, gas flaring systems, and defence-grade weapon handling equipment.

Everything we build is manufactured in-house — from mechanical fabrication to assembly and testing — enabling us to serve some of the most demanding industrial and military applications worldwide.

Our manufacturing operations span two units in the NCR region and are supported by in-house design, engineering, QA, and procurement teams. We are now strengthening our operational leadership as we prepare for ERP implementation, ISO 9001 & AS9100D certification, and long-term scale.

The Role

We are hiring a Head of Operations to lead and professionalize all aspects of execution across our two manufacturing facilities. This is a hands-on role that includes responsibility for production, planning, stores, procurement follow-up, quality, maintenance, facility management, vendor coordination, fire safety, ERP rollout, ISO / QMS implementation, and continuous improvement initiatives.

This is a high-ownership role for someone who thrives on building systems, managing teams, and delivering complex industrial projects on time and to quality.

1. Production & Execution

Oversee production across fabrication, machining (24 / 7), assembly, and testing

Ensure project-wise execution against daily, weekly, and monthly plans

Supervise shift-wise teams and maintain production discipline

Chair Daily Production Reviews (DPRs) and ensure data-led decision-making

2. Planning & Coordination

Create and monitor production plans linked to project requirements

Balance loads between both units based on priority and capacity

Coordinate with Design, Procurement, and QA for material and drawing readiness

3. Stores & Procurement

Ensure discipline in GRN, binning, MRS, and inventory traceability

Minimise stock-outs, over-issuance, and material misplacement

Follow up with procurement to ensure timely availability of critical items

4. Maintenance & Facilities

Lead preventive and breakdown maintenance across all plant equipment

Maintain spares logs, AMC schedules, and uptime records

Oversee infrastructure and facility upkeep — compressed air, power, cranes, etc.

5. Quality & Safety

Supervise in-process and final inspection routines

Ensure closure of NCRs, CAPAs, and traceability documentation

Drive fire safety preparedness and EHS compliance across both units

6. Vendor Management

Coordinate with third-party vendors for coating, packaging, or outsourced items

Align vendor lead times with CRA’s delivery schedules

Address delivery delays and external rejections

7. ERP Implementation

Serve as the operations lead for ERP rollout across both units

Map processes across production, QA, stores, and maintenance

Train teams and drive post-go-live adoption of ERP tools

8. QMS & Certification

Lead ISO 9001 implementation and readiness for AS9100D certification

Define and standardise SOPs, inspection checklists, and control plans

Manage internal audits, quality records, and certification timelines

9. Continuous Improvement (Kaizen, 5S, Lean)

Deploy 5S and visual management across shopfloor, stores, and utilities

Facilitate Kaizen projects to eliminate recurring issues

Use lean tools (takt time, line balancing, root cause analysis) to improve throughput

Promote team-led problem solving and bottom-up suggestions

10. People & Leadership

Manage team across Production, Planning, Stores, QA, Maintenance, Admin

Build a culture of ownership, daily performance, and structured reporting

Mentor supervisors and junior managers; resolve inter-departmental issues

Drive staffing discipline, team morale, and operational stability

Requirements

Education

B.E. / B.Tech in Mechanical / Production / Industrial Engineering

Certifications in QMS, Lean, Six Sigma, or ISO preferred

Experience

10–15 years in manufacturing operations, with 3+ years in senior operations leadership

Must have experience in fabrication, machining, assembly-based industries

Hands-on exposure to ERP and QMS implementation

Experience with custom-engineered, project-based manufacturing preferred

Skills

Strong execution mindset, team leadership, and cross-functional coordination

Proven ability to build systems, enforce discipline, and manage change

Fluency in Excel, Google Sheets, ERP systems, and production tracking

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package with performance-based incentives
• Generous leave policy and flexible work arrangements
• Comprehensive group medical insurance covering you and your family
• Professional development opportunities and a dedicated training budget
• Regular performance reviews with clear advancement criteria
• Exposure to industry leaders and cutting-edge projects
• Collaborative and innovative work environment
• Opportunity to work on meaningful projects in critical sectors
• Recognition programs for exceptional contributions
• Team events and activities to foster a strong company culture

Requirements

Excel, Powerpoint, Leadership, Stakeholder Management