Plant Maintenance and Engineering Manager

Expertalent; Chennai; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Expertalent in Chennai, India seeks a senior lead for Plant Operations and Engineering to drive reliability, uptime and budgeted production targets. You will oversee mechanical, electrical and utility operations, guiding maintenance teams and coordinating with plant leadership.

The role requires 8–15 years in continuous-process manufacturing with hands-on expertise in boilers, compressors, refrigeration and packaging lines, plus strong leadership and regulatory knowledge.

Qualifications

• 8–15 years of plant maintenance, engineering operations and utilities experience in continuous-process manufacturing.
• Hands-on knowledge of boilers, compressors, refrigeration, DG sets, water treatment and switchgear.
• Leadership to direct and develop maintenance teams and contract labour.
• Understanding of statutory compliance, pollution control and industrial safety regulations.
• Analytical problem-solving, root cause analysis and preventive engineering expertise.

Responsibilities

• Lead breakdown, routine, preventive and predictive maintenance for processing and packaging equipment; track MTBF, MTTR and shift performance.
• Manage power, boilers, steam, fuels, compressed air, water and CO2 utilities while maintaining quality, hygiene and reducing consumption.
• Control annual repair and maintenance budgets, critical spares and procurement planning.
• Develop safe operating procedures, job safety analyses and checklists; audit relevant equipment and storage.
• Coordinate statutory inspections and licence renewals; oversee effluent treatment and emissions reductions.
• Deliver capital expenditure projects including feasibility, specs, vendor comparisons, installation and handover.

Skills

Plant maintenance & ops

Leadership

Problem solving

Tools

Boilers

Compressors

Refrigeration

DG sets

Water treatment

Electrical switchgear

Packaging lines (automation)

Job description

Full-time role in Plant Operations and Engineering, reporting to the Unit Head / Plant Head. Lead mechanical, electrical and utility operations to improve equipment reliability, uptime, compliance and delivery of budgeted production targets.

Key responsibilities

• Lead breakdown, routine, preventive and predictive maintenance for processing and packaging equipment; track MTBF, MTTR and shift performance.
• Manage power, boilers, steam, HSD/FO fuel, compressed air, water and CO2 utilities, maintaining supply, quality and hygiene standards while reducing consumption.
• Control annual repair and maintenance budgets, critical spares and procurement planning; reduce lubrication, energy and refurbishment costs.
• Develop safe operating procedures, job safety analyses and checklists; audit pressure vessels, boilers, electrical panels and chemical storage.
• Coordinate statutory inspections and licence renewals for boilers, electrical safety, PESO and factory inspectorates. Oversee effluent treatment plant operations against State Pollution Control Board standards and reduce emissions, water use and waste.
• Deliver capital expenditure projects, upgrades and capacity expansions, including feasibility reports, technical specifications, vendor comparisons, installation, commissioning, budgets and handover.

Requirements

• 8–15 years managing plant maintenance, engineering operations and utilities in continuous process manufacturing, FMCG, food and beverage, chemical or pharmaceutical plants.
• Hands-on knowledge of boilers, compressors, refrigeration, diesel generator sets, water treatment, electrical switchgear and automated packaging lines.
• Leadership skills to direct, train and develop maintenance teams and technical contract labour.
• Understanding of statutory compliance, pollution control and industrial safety regulations.
• Analytical problem-solving skills, root cause analysis and preventive engineering expertise.