Plant Head - Solar Cell Manufacturing

About the Company

The client is one of India's rapidly growing integrated renewable energy manufacturing organizations with a strong presence across the Solar PV value chain. The company is engaged in the manufacturing of high-efficiency Solar Cells and Modules, serving utility-scale, commercial & industrial (C&I), and distributed energy markets.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Plant Operations Management
• Lead complete manufacturing operations of the solar cell production facility.
• Ensure achievement of production targets in terms of volume, quality, cost, and delivery.
• Drive optimum capacity utilization and maximize Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Develop and implement annual operating plans aligned with business objectives.
• Monitor production schedules and ensure adherence to customer commitments.
• Solar Cell Manufacturing Excellence
• Oversee all stages of solar cell manufacturing.
• Ensure process stability and continuous improvement across production lines.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to introduce process innovations and technology upgrades.
• Yield and Productivity Improvement
• Drive initiatives to improve cell conversion efficiency and manufacturing yield.
• Analyze process losses and implement corrective actions.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, Kaizen, and cost optimization initiatives.
• Benchmark plant performance against global best practices.
• Quality Assurance
• Ensure adherence to defined quality standards and specifications.
• Work closely with Quality teams to minimize defects, rejections, and customer complaints.
• Lead root cause analysis and implementation of preventive actions.
• Ensure compliance with ISO and industry quality requirements.
• Engineering & Maintenance
• Ensure high equipment uptime through robust preventive and predictive maintenance practices.
• Lead maintenance teams to reduce breakdowns and improve reliability.
• Support installation, commissioning, and ramp-up of new equipment and production lines.
• Coordinate with equipment suppliers for troubleshooting and upgrades.
• Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)
• Foster a strong safety culture across the plant.
• Ensure compliance with all statutory, environmental, and safety regulations.
• Conduct regular audits, risk assessments, and safety reviews.
• Drive zero-harm initiatives and environmental sustainability programs.
• Cost and Budget Management
• Prepare and manage plant operating budgets.
• Monitor manufacturing costs and identify opportunities for optimization.
• Control consumption of utilities, chemicals, gases, and consumables.
• Improve productivity while maintaining quality standards.
• People Leadership
• Lead and develop cross-functional teams including Production, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, EHS, Warehouse, and Planning.
• Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability and collaboration.
• Drive succession planning, capability building, and talent development initiatives.
• Manage workforce planning and employee engagement activities.
• Stakeholder Management
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Procurement, R&D, Commercial, and Corporate teams.
• Present operational reviews and performance updates to senior leadership.
• Manage relationships with external vendors, consultants, and regulatory authorities.
• Support customer visits and audits when required.

Skills and qualifications

• Education
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Chemical, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline).
• Master's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or MBA preferred.
• Experience
• 18–25 years of overall manufacturing experience.
• Minimum 8–10 years in leadership roles within solar cell manufacturing operations.
• Proven experience in managing large-scale solar cell manufacturing plants.
• Hands-on exposure to commissioning, ramp-up, and stabilization of solar cell production lines is highly preferred.
• Experience with international technology providers and advanced manufacturing environments would be advantageous.

What's On Offer

• Opportunity to lead a large-scale, high-growth solar cell manufacturing operation.
• Strategic leadership role with significant visibility and influence on business performance.
• Exposure to cutting-edge manufacturing technologies and expansion initiatives.
• Collaborative work environment with opportunities to build and develop high-performing teams.
• Attractive compensation and long-term career growth prospects.