The Head of Manufacturing is responsible for the overall performance of a large-scale, continuous-operation manufacturing site operating 24/7. The role has full accountability for production, continuous improvement, and factory planning, ensuring safety, quality, efficiency, and cost competitiveness in a context of ongoing automation and industrial transformation.

This is a leadership role reporting into the country Chief Technology Officer, directly managing senior functional leaders and driving operational excellence across all manufacturing processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensures compliance with all Health & Safety regulations across manufacturing operations, promoting a strong safety culture throughout the organization.
• Lead and oversee all manufacturing operations running on a 24/7 basis.
• Ensure stable, efficient, and safe production across core processes, throughout the entire production chain, from inbound raw materials to final product.
• Drive productivity, cost optimization, and service level performance while maintaining high quality standards.
• Lead the evolution toward advanced automation and reduced dependency on low-cost labor models.
• Promote and deploy Lean Manufacturing, TPM, and continuous improvement methodologies across the plant.
• Foster a strong performance culture focused on operational discipline, problem-solving, and waste reduction.
• Lead automation initiatives and industrial projects, from feasibility through implementation and ramp-up.
• Ensure seamless integration of new technologies and production lines into existing operations.
• Oversee production planning and factory-level supply chain activities to ensure alignment between demand, capacity, and material availability.
• Ensure effective coordination between production, planning, and logistics functions.
• Guarantee compliance with quality standards, industrial processes, and internal/external regulations.
• Work closely with Quality leadership to ensure zero-defect mindset and continuous quality improvement.
• Lead a large organization of more than 3,000 employees, the majority being shop-floor operator.
• Directly manage senior leaders across Production and Planning.
• Develop leadership bench strength in a context of limited internal succession, supporting both local talent development and international mobility.

Candidate Profile, Experience & Background

• Extensive manufacturing leadership experience in Tire / rubber industry or mono-tier suppliers, or automotive manufacturing environments
• Proven track record managing large, complex, labor-intensive industrial operations.
• Strong exposure to Lean Manufacturing, TPM, and structured operational excellence systems.
• Experience in highly automated or rapidly automating environments is a strong plus.
• International & Mobility Mindset
• Local candidates are strongly preferred; however, international profiles currently based in the country or willing to relocate are welcome.
• Openness to future international mobility is considered a plus, given the organization’s expatriate population and succession needs.
• Senior executive profile, suitable for a director or executive-grade position.
• Typically 10+ years of experience, with strong credibility in front of executive stakeholders and industrial organizations.

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