Job Description Technical Head
Company: OfBusiness
Department: Plant Operations / Technical / R&D
Job Summary
We are looking for an experienced Technical Plant Head to oversee production planning and execution, laboratory testing, quality assurance, and technical operations for grease and lubricant manufacturing. The role will primarily focus on R&D, formulation development, product improvement, and ensuring consistent product quality while coordinating production activities to achieve operational targets.
Key Responsibilities
1. Production Planning & Execution
- Develop and manage production plans and schedules based on customer orders, inventory, and business requirements.
- Ensure timely execution of production plans for grease and lubricant manufacturing.
- Monitor production processes, batch execution, raw material consumption, and production yields.
- Coordinate with procurement, stores, maintenance, and dispatch teams to ensure smooth plant operations.
- Identify process improvements to enhance productivity, reduce wastage, and optimise manufacturing costs.
2. Research & Development (R&D) and Formulation
- Lead R&D activities for the development of new grease and lubricant formulations.
- Develop, modify, and optimise formulations based on customer requirements, performance specifications, and industry standards.
- Work on base oils, thickeners, additives, and other raw materials used in grease and lubricant manufacturing.
- Conduct formulation trials, pilot batches, and product performance evaluations before commercial production.
- Support new product development, product customisation, and cost optimisation initiatives.
- Troubleshoot formulation-related issues and improve product performance, stability, and consistency.
3. Laboratory Testing & Quality Control
- Oversee laboratory testing of raw materials, in-process samples, and finished products.
- Ensure products meet defined specifications and applicable industry standards.
- Supervise testing of grease and lubricants, including viscosity, penetration, dropping point, consistency, and other relevant performance parameters, as applicable to the product portfolio.
- Establish and maintain quality control procedures, testing protocols, and laboratory documentation.
- Investigate quality deviations, customer complaints, and batch failures, and implement corrective and preventive actions.
- Ensure calibration and proper maintenance of laboratory instruments and testing equipment.
4. Quality Assurance & Process Improvement
- Maintain consistent product quality across all production batches.
- Develop and implement SOPs, quality standards, and process control procedures.
- Ensure compliance with applicable safety, environmental, and quality requirements.
- Conduct root-cause analysis for production and quality-related issues.
- Work closely with production and R&D teams to ensure successful transfer of formulations from laboratory trials to commercial manufacturing.
5. Team Management & Cross-Functional Coordination
- Lead and guide production, laboratory, quality, and technical teams.
- Coordinate with management on production performance, product development, and quality improvement initiatives.
- Maintain technical records, production reports, batch documentation, and formulation data.
- Provide technical support to sales and customer-facing teams for product specifications and application-related queries.
Required Qualifications
- B.E./B.Tech./M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Lubrication Technology, or an equivalent related field.
- Relevant experience in grease and lubricant manufacturing, particularly in formulation development, R&D, production, and quality control.
- Experience managing plant-level technical operations and production execution.
Key Skills
- Grease and lubricant formulation development
- Research & Development and product innovation
- Production planning and execution
- Laboratory testing and quality control
- Raw material and additive selection
- Process optimisation and troubleshooting
- Quality assurance and root-cause analysis
- Team management and cross-functional coordination
Preferred Industry Experience
Candidates from grease manufacturing, industrial lubricants, automotive lubricants, speciality lubricants, or related chemical manufacturing industries will be preferred.
Ideal Candidate Profile: A technically strong professional who can independently manage plant-level production and quality activities, with a primary focus on R&D, formulation development, laboratory testing, and successful commercialisation of grease and lubricant products.