Operations Program Manager

Ather Energy; Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar District; On-site; INR 2,250,000 - 2,750,000; Full time

Job summary

Ather Energy is seeking an Operations Program Manager to lead a Greenfield factory project in Maharashtra. You will drive end-to-end planning, coordinate internal and external teams, and manage risk with strong focus on scope, schedule, and quality.

The role requires 4–8 years of experience in automotive manufacturing, with expertise in NPI lifecycles, ECR/ECN, and RCA methods. You will mentor teams and ensure milestones align with product goals.

Qualifications

• B.E/B.Tech degree required.
• Total experience of 4-8 years in manufacturing or automotive programs.
• Experience leading greenfield factory projects and cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in planning, scheduling, risk tracking, and mitigation.

Responsibilities

• Build consensus across cross-functional swimlanes to define project goals aligned with OKRs across multiple workstreams.
• Identify and neutralize execution roadblocks to keep timelines on track without compromising scope or quality.
• Proactively identify workflow gaps, implement continuous improvements, and manage complex dependencies with timely risk alerts and mitigation plans.
• Oversee Greenfield project planning and execution, including factory infrastructure, utilities, Civil, PEB, and MEP dependencies using Gantt charts.
• Manage manufacturing operations, NPI lifecycles, and ECR/ECN implementations for Vehicle, Battery, and Electronics Assembly.
• Coordinate onsite execution with internal teams and external partners.
• Apply RCA methods (8D, 5-Why) and Line Balancing for sustenance programs.

Skills

Greenfield project planning

Gantt charts

NPI lifecycles

ECR/ECN

Root Cause Analysis

8D

5-Why

Line Balancing

Risk Management

Change Management

Lean principles

Negotiation

Cross-functional leadership

Project coordination

Education

B.E/B.Tech

Job description

Role: Operations Program Manager

Location: Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra

Reporting to: Lead Program Manager

Team Name: Program Management

About the Team and the Role

The Program Management Team at Ather is responsible for building consensus among cross-functional "swimlanes" to define goals that align directly with organizational OKRs, driving the delivery of project goals through a highly collaborative approach across multiple workstreams, and proactively identifying gaps in established workflows to implement continuous improvements.

This role is for a Program Manager - Greenfield Factory Project who will be responsible for new factory establishment for automotive or manufacturing industries, neutralizing execution roadblocks without compromising on Scope or Quality, and providing timely alerts on project risks with detailed mitigation plans.

Responsibilities

• Build consensus among cross-functional "swimlanes" to define and drive project goals aligned with organizational OKRs across multiple workstreams.
• Identify and neutralize execution roadblocks to ensure project timelines stay on track without compromising on Scope or Quality.
• Proactively identify gaps in established workflows, implement continuous improvements, and manage complex dependencies across internal and external stakeholders. Provide timely alerts on project risks accompanied by comprehensive, detailed mitigation plans.
• Oversee Greenfield project planning and execution, including factory infrastructure, utilities, Civil, PEB, and MEP dependencies using Gantt charts.
• Manage manufacturing operations, New Product Industrialization (NPI) lifecycles, and Engineering Change Request (ECR/ECN) implementations for Vehicle, Battery, and Electronics Assembly.
• Coordinate onsite execution seamlessly with internal departments (Product Development, Quality, Production) and external partners.
• Apply Root Cause Analysis methods (8D, 5-Why) and Line Balancing techniques for sustenance programs.

Experience and Qualifications

• B.E/B.Tech
• Total experience of 4-8 years

Must Have Competencies

• Comprehensive planning and execution of greenfield projects, managing infrastructure, utilities, Civil, PEB, and MEP dependencies through master Gantt charts. End-to-end management of automotive manufacturing operations, including Vehicle, Battery, and Electronics Assembly processes.
• Execution of New Product Industrialization (NPI) lifecycles and implementation of Engineering Change Requests (ECR/ECN) within a production environment. Directing Root Cause Analysis methodologies like 8D and 5-Why, along with implementing Line Balancing for sustenance programs.
• Should have a good understanding of greenfield project planning and execution process
• know-how of Civil, PEB, MEP, and its dependencies and able to put up a Gantt for the complete project
• A robust understanding of manufacturing environments, process design, NPI lifecycles and workforce management
• Deep know-how of factory information flows and their underlying dependencies.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Risk Management, Change Management, Lean principles, and Negotiation.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to multitask in a high-velocity environment with shifting priorities.
• A self-starter and "go-getter" with high levels of ownership and a focus on closure.
• Ability to map and manage complex dependencies across internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with an eye for detail - because the devil is in the details

Good to have Competencies

• Application of project management frameworks and structured timelines through PMP certification methodologies.
• Delivery of cross-functional projects utilizing Agile and Scrum methodologies within a manufacturing setup.
• Understanding of automotive manufacturing operations, including Vehicle, Battery, and Electronics Assembly.
• Hands-on experience in onsite coordination with internal teams (Product Development, Quality, Production) and external partners.
• Know how of Root Cause Analysis (8D, 5-Why) and Line Balancing for sustenance programs

Want to know more?

At Ather, we’ve built India’s first intelligent scooter, from scratch. Based on the philosophy of clean design and smart technology, we are transforming the urban commute experience. We are expanding in India, and in the coming years, we look forward to scaling up and launching more products globally. Today, our product offerings include the Ather 450X, 450S, 450 Apex, and Rizta. Beyond the product, we are also setting up an extensive charging network and re-imagining end-to-end ownership experience. To know more, check out our Careers site and our Substack.

Be You, With Us

The Ather story doesn't write itself - our people do. We believe everyone is equal, but not the same. Diversity is our strength, and building an inclusive and equitable workplace begins with acknowledging and embracing our differences. We are an equal opportunity employer, and our team reflects a wide range of identities, experiences, and perspectives - all united by a shared passion to shape the Ather journey.