Function: Product Supply Organization

Location: Munnar

Reporting To:  Vice President – Solubles Manufacturing

At Tata Consumer Products Ltd, we stand #Forbetter – Planet, Sourcing, Nutrition, Communities. And #ForBetter Opportunities …. Here’s an exciting one!

How does this Job align to our Strategy?

At the core of Tata Consumer Products' business approach lie six strategic pillars that serve as the foundation for its growth and success: Strengthening & Accelerating our Core Business, Driving Digital and Innovation, Unlocking Synergies, Creating a Future-Ready Organization, Exploring New Opportunities and Embedding Sustainability.

This job opportunity closely aligns with these key strategic pillars, which are Strengthening & Accelerating our Core Business, Unlocking Synergies, Creating a Future-Ready Organization, Exploring New Opportunities and Embedding Sustainability.

. The role involves end-to-end leadership of manufacturing activities at the Instant Tea facility in Munnar, strategic planning, operational excellence, team development, and compliance monitoring to ensure quality products are delivered efficiently and cost-effectively. The incumbent will drive continuous improvement, technology adoption, and a culture of coaching and mentoring.

Where do you come in as?                           

This job is at N-5 level (N corresponds to CEO’s level)

Top dimensions:

Geography: India

Direct reports: 4

Complexity of the role: Medium

Matrix Reports: NA

Type of Role: Individual Contributor

Primary Stakeholders:  Vice President – Solubles Manufacturing

What are the Key Responsibilities & Focus Areas

1. Strategy

• Develop and implement a robust manufacturing strategy aligned with the business unit’s strategic objectives, ensuring effective execution of plans to achieve targeted outcomes.

2. Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary liaison between manufacturing and relevant stakeholders (e.g., Sales, QA, R&D, Finance).
• Communicate performance updates, challenges, and achievements to senior leadership.

3. Operational Leadership

• Oversee day-to-day manufacturing operations to ensure optimal productivity, quality, and cost efficiency.
• Set and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for production, quality, safety, and delivery.
• Constructively manage relationships with union representatives, inspiring collaboration between the workforce and management to achieve unit goals.

4. Resource Management

• Develop and manage budgets for the unit, including forecasting resource needs and controlling costs.
• Allocate human, material, and equipment resources effectively to meet production targets.

5. Customer & Quality Assurance

• Foster a strong customer-centric mindset throughout the workforce, ensuring that customer needs and expectations remain central to all activities
• Ensure robust quality management systems are in place and drive continuous improvement in product quality.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action processes to address quality issues.

6. Supply Chain Collaboration

• Work closely with Procurement, logistics, and planning teams to optimize inventory levels and ensure timely availability of raw materials.
• Support new product introductions by aligning manufacturing capabilities with market requirements.

7. People Development & Leadership

• Build, lead, and develop high-performing teams through coaching, mentoring, and training initiatives.
• Drive employee engagement initiatives to drive a high performance culture

8. Technology & Innovation

• Identify and implement new technologies, automation solutions, and digital tools to improve manufacturing performance.
• Stay updated on industry trends and best practices; champion adoption of relevant innovations.

9. Risk Management & Business Continuity

• Identify operational risks within manufacturing processes; develop mitigation plans to ensure business continuity.
• Lead crisis management efforts during unplanned events (e.g., equipment failures, supply disruptions).

10. Sustainability & Environmental Stewardship

• Promote sustainable manufacturing practices to minimize environmental impact.
• Drive initiatives for energy efficiency, waste reduction, and responsible resource usage.

11. Compliance & Audit Readiness

• Ensure full compliance to all statutory & regulatory requirements for the units operations
• Ensure readiness for internal and external audits by maintaining thorough documentation and compliance with all applicable standards (ISO, industry-specific certifications).
• Proactively liase with regulatory authorities to stay informed of changes in relevant regulations and to address the company’s position or challenges in a constructive and collaborative manner.

12. Continuous Improvement

• Drive a culture of continuous improvement by embedding best practices and encouraging innovation across all operational processes.

What are the Key Deliverables in this role?

Financial Outcomes

• Develop and achieve the unit’s Capex, revenue, and working capital budgets.
• Meet packaging material budget targets set for the unit.
• Drive cost optimization initiatives and consistently achieve cost reduction targets.

Customer Service

• Attain customer service metrics established for the unit to ensure high levels of satisfaction and responsiveness.

Internal Processes

• Deliver best in class performance across HSE [Health Safety & Environment], Production, Yield, Waste, P&F [Power & Fuel], OEE [Overall Equipment Effectiveness], Quality and other operational KPIs
• Implement robust processes to ensure effective asset care through industry leading maintenance practices
• Ensure full compliance with all statutory & regulatory requirements related to the unit & its products
• Meet all certification requirements applicable to the unit
• Lead the execution of the units Digital Transformation roadmap
• Consistently maintain GMP standards as defined for the unit

Innovation and Learning

• Identify & deliver on Continuous Improvement initiatives for the unit
• Partner with R&D and QA team to deliver on the innovation agenda for Instant Tea products
• Collaborate with HR business partners to identify training needs & deliver targeted employee development program
• Develop and support career progression plans for high potential employees

What are the Critical success factors for the Role?

• Demonstrated experience in leading large-scale manufacturing facilities, 15+ years in manufacturing operations, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., Plant Manager, Operations Director, Production Head)
• Proven track record in implementing lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement methodologies is critical to the role
• Experience with automation, digitization, and Industry 4.0 technologies
• Previous experience in extraction, evaporation & drying industry
• Experience in quality management systems
• Strong financial acumen (cost control/investment planning)
• Commitment to safety & statutory compliance
• Proven ability to manage multi-functional teams
• Ability to deliver change

What are the Desirable success factors for the Role?

• Experience in Instant Tea Operations would be an added advantage
• Bachelor’s in chemical or mechanical or process engineering would be preferable