Operations Manager
Catalydd • Pune
About the Company The company is an automotive paint shop and Tier 3 supplier, providing painting and coating services to Tier 2 automotive component manufacturers. Established around one year ago, the company has an annual turnover of approximately ₹6 crore and is now professionalizing its plant management structure. About the Role The Operations Manager will be responsible for the overall functioning of the plant, covering production, PPC, stores, quality, dispatch, maintenance and customer coordination. The role will ensure OTIF delivery, right-first-time quality, efficient plant operations and implementation of systems and processes. Key Responsibilities Manage daily paint shop operations including pre-treatment, painting, curing and finishing. Ensure production targets and process parameters are achieved. Plan manpower and shifts, monitor productivity and reduce rejection, rework, paint consumption and other process wastage. Prepare and monitor production plans based on customer requirements and delivery schedules. Track production against plan, identify bottlenecks and manage capacity. Oversee receipt, storage and issue of paints, chemicals, consumables and customer-supplied components. Ensure stock accuracy, FIFO/FEFO, minimum/maximum levels and timely procurement. Prevent shortages and excess inventory and ensure safe storage of hazardous and inflammable materials. Ensure in-process and final inspection as per customer requirements. Lead RCA and CAPA for internal rejections and customer complaints. Implement quality systems and practices including IATF 16949, ISO 9001, PPAP, control plans and inspection standards as applicable. Maintain quality records and traceability. Coordinate directly with customers on quality issues and closure of complaints. Ensure timely dispatch of finished components with correct packing, labelling and documentation. Coordinate transport and customer receiving schedules. Act as the primary operational contact for customers regarding material receipt, dispatch, quality issues and day-to-day requirements. Maintain relationships with customer planning, logistics and SQE teams. Ensure preventive maintenance of paint booths, ovens, conveyors, compressors, machinery and utilities. Minimize breakdowns and ensure timely resolution. Maintain maintenance records, spares and AMC/vendor coordination. Ensure applicable equipment and safety compliance. Lead plant readiness for customer, IATF/ISO and statutory audits. Maintain documentation, housekeeping and process discipline. Drive closure of audit non-conformities within timelines and maintain internal audit schedules. Lead production, stores, quality, dispatch, PPC and maintenance teams. Build discipline, accountability and 5S culture. Monitor plant performance and provide regular MIS to the owner covering production, quality, delivery, inventory and costs. Support budgeting and cost-control initiatives. Key KPIs OTIF delivery Customer complaints and rejection PPM Internal rejection/rework Machine uptime Inventory accuracy Production plan adherence Audit closure Quality cost Operational cost per unit Requirements Diploma/B.E./B.Tech in Mechanical, Production, Industrial, Paint Technology or related engineering discipline preferred. 10–12 years of manufacturing experience with meaningful exposure to automotive Tier 1/2/3 suppliers. Prior experience in paint shop, surface coating, electroplating or finishing operations is mandatory. Minimum 1–2 years in plant/operations management handling multiple functions is required. Experience with customer/OEM audits and IATF 16949/ISO 9001 is preferred. Experience in a small or mid-sized owner-driven company is highly desirable. Preferred Qualifications Strong knowledge of paint shop processes, production planning, RCA, CAPA, 7QC tools and control plans. Good understanding of IATF/ISO systems and manufacturing compliance. Strong leadership, customer coordination and problem-solving skills. MS Excel and ERP knowledge preferred. Location & Work Mode Onsite role in Sanaswadi. Local candidates or candidates willing to relocate near Sanaswadi preferred. What We Offer Salary: ₹11–12 LPA (up to ₹13 LPA for an exceptional candidate) Full-time employment Reports to the Owner Weekly off on Thursday Minimum 9 hours working hours Age: Below 40 years mandatory
