Chief Executive Officer (For Industial Automation / Electronics )

Careerlink Consultants; Pune District; On-site; INR 6,000,000 - 12,000,000; Full time

Job summary

CareerLink Consultants seeks a dynamic Chief Executive Officer to unify three business units—Industrial Distribution, Engineered Products, and Systems & Projects—into a cohesive, professional organization. The CEO will own the consolidated P&L, drive strategic growth, and integrate operations across locations with strong governance.

The ideal candidate has 20+ years of experience, proven P&L leadership in industrial sectors, and deep ERP/MIS expertise to enable data-driven management and

Qualifications

• 20+ years of professional experience with at least 8 years in general management.
• Experience from industrial automation or industrial electronics preferred.
• Proven P&L ownership at senior level in an industrial business.

Responsibilities

• Lead three business units under a unified operating model and governance.
• Drive revenue, EBITDA, cash flow, and capital discipline across units.
• Oversee post-merger integration and execution excellence.
• Set KPIs, perform regular reviews, and drive cross-unit collaboration.
• Implement ERP, MIS, unified customer master, and inventory policies.
• Develop leadership pipeline and succession planning.
• Ensure strong governance, risk management, and stakeholder alignment.

Skills

Strategic leadership

P&L ownership

ERP systems

MIS dashboards

ERP-driven operations

Leadership development

Education

Engineering degree (Electrical/Electronics)

MBA or equivalent

Tools

ERP platform

MIS reporting

Job description

Role & responsibilities

We are seeking a dynamic, commercially astute, and strategically minded Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the group&s three complementary business units:

1. Industrial Distribution: Multi-principal distribution of industrial networking, fieldbus, cable, interface, and hazardous-area products.

2. Engineered Products: Design and manufacturing of electronic and cable products, including relay and interface modules, assemblies, and DCS/PLC migration kits.

3. Systems & Projects: System integration and project execution covering DCS/PLC migration, life-safety systems, control panels, and field instrumentation.

The CEO will have overall responsibility for the consolidated Profit and Loss (P&L), business strategy, profitable growth, operational integration, working capital, customer relationships, and leadership development.

The successful candidate must be capable of bringing three business units together under a unified operating model, establishing strong management systems, and reducing day-to-day operational dependence on the promoters.

1. Strategic Leadership & Business Growth

• Develop and execute the organization's long-term business strategy in alignment with the Board's vision.
• Establish annual operating plans, business objectives, revenue targets, profitability goals, and quarterly forecasts.
• Drive profitable growth across distribution, engineered products, and systems integration.
• Identify new business opportunities in power, process industries, infrastructure, manufacturing, and other relevant sectors.
• Expand the organization’s market presence through new customers, industry partnerships, and strategic business relationships.
• Develop export opportunities for engineered products and strengthen international business relationships.
• Evaluate new product lines, technologies, markets, and business opportunities to diversify revenue streams.

2. P&L Ownership & Financial Performance

• Assume complete ownership of the consolidated P&L and the financial performance of all three business units.
• Drive revenue growth, EBITDA performance, operating profitability, and cash generation.
• Monitor business performance against budgets, forecasts, and agreed financial targets.
• Identify opportunities to improve margins, optimize operating costs, and enhance productivity.
• Work closely with the CFO to strengthen financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting.
• Ensure timely identification of financial risks and corrective actions.
• Maintain the organization's financial discipline while supporting sustainable business expansion.

3. Post-Merger Integration & Operational Excellence

• Lead the operational integration of the three merged businesses into one professionally managed organization.
• Establish a unified operating framework across business units, functions, and locations.
• Drive implementation of a common ERP platform, integrated Management Information System (MIS), unified customer master, and consistent inventory policies.
• Standardize business processes, reporting formats, performance reviews, and approval mechanisms.
• Eliminate duplication of activities and improve coordination across sales, operations, finance, supply chain, and support functions.
• Establish clear roles, responsibilities, accountability, and decision-making authority.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures to support operational consistency and scalability.

4. Business Unit Leadership & Performance Management

• Lead and monitor the performance of the three business unit heads: Distribution, Engineered Products, and Systems & Projects.
• Establish business-unit-specific KPIs covering revenue, gross margins, EBITDA, order intake, order execution, working capital, and customer satisfaction.
• Conduct regular business reviews to evaluate performance and resolve operational challenges.
• Drive collaboration between the three business units to maximize cross-selling and customer opportunities.
• Strengthen sales forecasting, pipeline management, order conversion, and execution discipline.
• Improve the performance of underperforming business areas through structured turnaround plans.
• Ensure that each business unit operates with clear business objectives and measurable accountability.

5. Working Capital & Cash Flow Management

• Improve working capital through disciplined management of inventory, receivables, payables, and project billing.
• Reduce aged inventory and improve inventory turnover.
• Strengthen collection processes and reduce overdue receivables.
• Ensure timely customer billing, milestone-based invoicing, and effective follow-up on project payments.
• Improve cash conversion and operating cash flow.
• Establish regular working-capital reviews with business unit heads and the finance team.
• Monitor and control commercial risks associated with customer credit, project execution, and inventory commitments.

6. Sales, Marketing & Customer Relationship Management

• Strengthen relationships with international principals, OEMs, EPCs, distributors, and strategic customers.
• Develop a structured sales strategy across distribution, engineered products, and systems integration.
• Reduce excessive dependence on individual customers, product lines, or key employees.
• Drive cross-selling opportunities across the three business units.
• Improve channel management and explore digital sales and distribution opportunities.
• Strengthen key account management, customer retention, and new customer acquisition.
• Ensure effective management of commercial negotiations, pricing, margins, and customer commitments.
• Develop strategic partnerships to expand market reach and improve competitiveness.

7. Project Management & Risk Control

• Establish effective project governance for systems integration and project-based businesses.
• Strengthen bid evaluation, costing, pricing, contract review, and project-risk assessment.
• Introduce appropriate controls for fixed-price projects to protect profitability.
• Monitor project execution, resource utilization, project billing, collections, and delivery schedules.
• Ensure timely identification and escalation of project delays, cost overruns, contractual risks, and customer issues.
• Improve coordination between engineering, procurement, production, project execution, and finance teams.
• Develop structured processes for project review and post-completion profitability analysis.

8. Leadership Development & Organization Building

• Build a strong second line of professional leadership across all key functions.
• Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing business unit heads and functional leaders.
• Establish clear KPIs, performance expectations, and accountability mechanisms for senior management.
• Implement KPI-linked performance management and incentive systems.
• Develop succession plans for all direct reports and critical leadership positions.
• Promote a culture of ownership, collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement.
• Strengthen employee capability, leadership effectiveness, and organizational performance.
• Ensure that business operations can function effectively without routine promoter intervention.

9. Corporate Governance & Board Management

• Operate within the governance framework and decision-making authority approved by the Board.
• Maintain transparent communication with the Board of Directors and the Chairman.
• Conduct regular management reviews and submit structured business performance reports.
• Prepare comprehensive Board presentations covering financial results, business performance, strategic initiatives, risks, and corrective actions.
• Ensure adherence to approved budgets, policies, delegation of authority, and internal controls.
• Maintain high standards of corporate governance, business ethics, and regulatory compliance.
• Escalate material business risks and significant deviations from agreed plans promptly.
• Respect the promoters' legacy while establishing professional management practices.

10. Digital Transformation & Management Systems

• Drive effective utilization of ERP, MIS dashboards, and data-driven management processes.
• Establish a single, reliable source of business information across the organization.
• Improve data accuracy, reporting discipline, and visibility of operational and financial performance.
• Implement structured review mechanisms, including weekly integration reviews and monthly business reviews.
• Promote process automation, digital reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure that business decisions are supported by reliable data, financial analysis, and measurable outcomes.

11. Functional Leadership & Coordination

• Business Unit Heads Distribution, Engineered Products, and Systems & Projects
• Human Resources
• Information Technology
• Quality
• Supply Chain
• Growth Marketing

Work closely with the CFO, who reports to the Board, to ensure financial discipline, effective reporting, and alignment between financial and business priorities.

Preferred candidate profile

20+ years of overall professional experience, including at least 8 years in general management. Experiance should be from indstrial automation / industrial Electronics industry

• At least 3 years of demonstrated full P&L ownership at the CEO, COO, or business unit head level in an industrial business with revenue of 150300 crore or more.
• Proven experience in industrial automation, electrical or industrial distribution, OEM channel organizations, or systems integration.
• Direct experience in both multi-principal distribution and engineered solutions or project-based businesses.
• Demonstrated ability to improve working capital, supported by measurable results.
• Experience in turning around an underperforming or loss-making business unit.
• Proven track record of building and developing a second line of leadership.
• Strong experience in ERP-driven operations, MIS, dashboards, and performance management.
• Experience working successfully with promoters, family-owned businesses, or a Board of Directors.

Preferred Qualifications

• Engineering degree, preferably in Electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation, or a related discipline.
• Management qualification such as an MBA or equivalent.
• Experience serving power, process, infrastructure, utility, EPC, or OEM customers.
• Experience developing exports from India.
• Exposure to post-merger integration, due diligence, or business transformation initiatives.s

Personal qualities

• Calm, data-driven decision-maker who delivers bad news early
• Holds authority while respecting the founders' legacy
• Builds teams and develops people
• High integrity