Plant Manager

Saaki Argus & Averil Consulting; Chennai District; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Saaki Argus & Averil Consulting in Chennai seeks an experienced Plant Operations leader to drive a safety-first culture and mentor the operations team. You will ensure safe, efficient production, manpower and asset planning, and cross-functional coordination with maintenance, quality, and projects.

The role requires implementing IMS/ISO standards, leading root cause investigations, optimizing maintenance, and guiding projects from design to commissioning while delivering cost-effective

Qualifications

• Experience leading plant operations in Industrial Gases / Petrochemical / Manufacturing.
• Strong leadership and people management capabilities.
• Experience implementing IMS and ISO standards (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001).

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop the plant operations team.
• Oversee daily plant operations ensuring safe, efficient production.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards.
• Manage maintenance activities, spares, and reliability programs.
• Plan shutdowns, turnarounds, and equipment upgrades.
• Drive plant improvement projects and operational modifications.
• Lead root cause analyses and implement corrective actions.

Skills

Leadership

Plant operations

Safety compliance

Maintenance management

Troubleshooting

Project execution

Analytical abilities

Communication

Stakeholder management

Reporting tools

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Drive a strong safety-first culture and promote zero-incident operations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the plant operations team.
• Ensure effective manpower planning, workforce utilization, and succession readiness.
• Build a collaborative work culture focused on continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Empower teams for effective decision-making during operational emergencies.
• Coordinate cross-functional collaboration across operations, maintenance, quality, and projects.

Plant Operations

• Oversee daily plant operations to ensure safe, efficient, and uninterrupted production.
• Ensure compliance with internal standards, statutory regulations, and operational procedures.
• Monitor plant performance, productivity, and operational KPIs.
• Plan resources including manpower, utilities, and assets to meet current and future business demand.
• Drive implementation of corrective actions arising from audits, RCA, directives, and safety observations.
• Ensure effective implementation of IMS systems including:
• ISO 9001:2015
• ISO 14001:2015
• ISO 45001:2018

Safety, Quality & Compliance

• Ensure adherence to all safety, environmental, and quality standards.
• Conduct risk assessments, toolbox talks, and safety audits regularly.
• Lead incident investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation.
• Develop and maintain emergency response and contingency plans.
• Ensure statutory compliance with all regulatory and local authority requirements.
• Establish and maintain systems for product quality monitoring and control.

Maintenance & Reliability

• Ensure preventive and predictive maintenance practices are effectively implemented.
• Manage mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation maintenance activities.
• Plan shutdowns, turnarounds, and equipment upgrades.
• Control repair and maintenance budgets effectively.
• Ensure availability of spares, maintenance tools, and resources.
• Coordinate with vendors and service providers for maintenance support.

Projects & Modifications

• Initiate and execute plant improvement and expansion projects.
• Support modifications and optimization initiatives to improve efficiency and profitability.
• Ensure projects are completed within quality, cost, and timeline expectations.
• Provide operational inputs and technical support for new installations and upgrades.

Troubleshooting & Performance Management

• Handle operational breakdowns and critical troubleshooting activities.
• Lead root cause failure analysis and implementation of preventive measures.
• Monitor operational KPIs and plant performance metrics.
• Report incidents, near misses, hazards, and corrective action status regularly.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Expertise in plant operations within Industrial Gases / Petrochemical / Manufacturing industries.
• Strong knowledge of safety systems and statutory compliance.
• Experience in maintenance management (Mechanical / Electrical / Instrumentation).
• Knowledge of troubleshooting, turnaround planning, and project execution.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision‑making skills.
• Good communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Proficiency in computer applications and reporting tools.