Deputy/Assistant Manager- Operational Excellence | Chennai

Michael Page; Chennai District; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Michael Page in India is seeking a senior Operational Excellence/Lean Manufacturing professional with 10–15 years of experience in automotive or discrete manufacturing to drive continuous improvement initiatives. The role requires hands-on experience with Lean roadmaps, VSM, TPM, Kaizen, Six Sigma, and RCA tools.

You will lead cross-functional projects across Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Supply Chain, focusing on productivity, OEE, waste reduction, and standardization of processes on

Qualifications

• 10+ years in Operational Excellence / Lean Manufacturing in automotive or discrete manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience implementing Lean roadmaps, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), TPM, Kaizen, Six Sigma, and structured RCA tools.
• Experience leading cross-functional improvement projects on the shop floor.

Responsibilities

• Drive Operational Excellence initiatives through Lean Manufacturing, TPM, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Lead productivity, cost, quality, delivery, and safety improvement projects across manufacturing operations.
• Facilitate Lean deployment using Kaizen, VSM, SMED, 5S, Poka-Yoke, A3, PDCA, DMAIC, and root cause analysis tools.
• Improve equipment reliability and manufacturing performance through TPM and OEE improvement initiatives.
• Lead cross-functional projects involving Production, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and HR teams.
• Drive process standardization, digitalization, and implementation of best practices across the plant.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

TPM

Kaizen

VSM

Continuous improvement

Education

Industrial Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Job description

• Only candidates with 10+ yrs in Operational Excellence & Lean Manufacturing
• Should have hands-on exp. in Lean, TPM, Kaizen, VSM & Continuous improvements

About Our Client

Our client is a global technology and manufacturing company delivering innovative mobility solutions to leading automotive manufacturers worldwide. The organization operates advanced manufacturing facilities with a strong focus on operational excellence, continuous improvement, digitalization, and sustainable manufacturing.

Job Description

• Drive Operational Excellence initiatives through Lean Manufacturing, TPM, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Lead productivity, cost, quality, delivery, and safety improvement projects across manufacturing operations.
• Facilitate Lean deployment using Kaizen, VSM, SMED, 5S, Poka-Yoke, A3, PDCA, DMAIC, and root cause analysis tools.
• Improve equipment reliability and manufacturing performance through TPM and OEE improvement initiatives.
• Lead cross-functional projects involving Production, Quality, Maintenance, Supply Chain, and HR teams.
• Drive process standardization, digitalization, and implementation of best practices across the plant.

The Successful Applicant

A successful candidate will hold a degree in Industrial Engineering (preferred) or Mechanical Engineering with 10-15 years of experience in a dedicated Operational Excellence / Lean Manufacturing role within automotive or discrete manufacturing. The individual should have hands‑on experience implementing Lean roadmaps, Value Stream Mapping (VSM), TPM, Kaizen, Six Sigma, and structured RCA tools, while leading cross-functional improvement projects on the shop floor. Experience working closely with Manufacturing Engineering and Production teams to drive productivity, OEE, waste reduction, and continuous improvement is essential. Candidates should come from plant-based operational excellence roles rather than corporate CI functions, with experience in organizations such as automotive OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, or similar manufacturing environments. Knowledge of the local language will be preferred.

What's on Offer

• Opportunity to lead Operational Excellence initiatives within a global manufacturing organization.
• Drive plant-wide transformation through Lean, digitalization, and continuous improvement programs.