Project Manager

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Project Lead will be responsible for complete execution of a greenfield plant setup in Pune, including land development, infrastructure creation, machine procurement, and production readiness. This role requires strong manufacturing expertise, project management capability, and the ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders. Proficiency in English, Hindi, and Marathi is essential for effective communication across teams, vendors, and local authorities.

Detailed Key Responsibilities

1. Greenfield Project Execution

• Lead end-to-end setup of new manufacturing plant from concept to SOP

• Define project scope, timelines, budget, and resource planning

• Drive execution of all project phases (civil, utilities, production setup)

2. Land Development & Infrastructure Setup

• Coordinate land development, statutory approvals, and compliance

• Oversee civil construction, plant building, and utilities (power, water, HVAC, compressed air)

• Ensure infrastructure readiness aligned with production requirements

3. Plant Layout & Industrial Engineering

• Develop plant layout, line design, and material flow

• Optimize space utilization, logistics flow, and manpower efficiency

• Implement lean manufacturing and safety standards

4. Machine Specification & Procurement

• Finalize machine specifications based on product/process needs 

• Identify, evaluate, and finalize machine suppliers

• Lead technical reviews, supplier discussions, and negotiations

5. CAPEX Planning & Control

• Prepare CAPEX budget and investment proposals

• Release purchase orders for machines, tooling, and infrastructure

• Monitor project cost vs budget and ensure financial discipline

6. Machine Manufacturing, Installation & Acceptance

• Track machine manufacturing progress with suppliers

• Coordinate FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) and SAT (Site Acceptance Test)

• Ensure installation, commissioning, and final acceptance of machines

7. Production Readiness & Launch

• Ensure line readiness and run@rate achievement

• Manage pilot production, trial runs, and ramp-up

• Drive SOP with zero major issues

8. Cross-Functional & Vendor Coordination

• Work with Design, Quality, Production, SCM, Maintenance, and EHS teams

• Coordinate with contractors, suppliers, and government authorities

• Ensure all stakeholders meet project timelines

9. Quality & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with industry standards (IATF 16949, ISO, EHS norms)

• Lead APQP, PPAP, and customer approvals

• Drive problem-solving for pre- and post-launch issues

10. Risk & Project Governance

• Identify risks related to cost, timeline, and execution

• Implement mitigation strategies and escalation management

• Present project updates to senior management

People & Leadership Competencies

• Strong experience in greenfield plant setup / expansion projects

• Deep understanding of manufacturing processes and plant operations

• Expertise in machine procurement, installation, and commissioning

• Strong project management and leadership skills

• Vendor development and negotiation capability

• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Lean Manufacturing

Language & Communication Requirement Fluency in English, Hindi, and Marathi is mandatory to ensure smooth coordination with suppliers, shopfloor teams, contractors, local stakeholders, and management. Preferred Background Strong experience in automotive shock absorber, strut, suspension, or ride control manufacturing with proven exposure to greenfield plant setup, industrial engineering, project launch, and SOP stabilization.