Company Description KNL - KNL Group is a leading automotive component manufacturing organization that has served customers for decades. The group is recognized as a full-service supplier of forged and machined components to major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and their multinational Tier-1 partners. KNL is focused on quality, reliability, and long-term partnerships within the automotive sector.

The company offers integrated solutions from forging to finished components, supporting complex and high-volume production requirements. Candidates joining KNL will work in a dynamic environment that emphasizes operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Role Description The Vice President – Operations (Automotive Forging) is a full-time, on-site leadership role based in Ludhiana. This role oversees end-to-end plant operations for automotive forging and machining, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective production that meets customer and quality standards. Day-to-day responsibilities include leading operations teams, managing production planning, optimizing resource utilization, and driving process and productivity improvements across forging lines. The role is accountable for operational performance, including OEE, output, quality, delivery, and cost, as well as ensuring compliance with regulatory, safety, and environmental requirements.

The Vice

President – Operations collaborates closely with senior leaderships, management to support customer commitments,



new product introductions, and long-term strategic growth.

Qualifications

- Demonstrated expertise in Operations Management within automotive forging with a track record of managing plant-wide processes and performance.
- Proficiency in OEE, P&L; Management, including budgeting, cost control, profitability improvement.
- Strong Customer Service orientation, with experience managing OEM and Tier-1 relationships, handling escalations, and ensuring on-time delivery and quality.
- Proven Strategic Planning capabilities, including capacity planning, continuous improvement initiatives, and long-term operational roadmapping.
- Solid Project Management skills to lead capital projects, technology upgrades, process optimization, and cross-functional initiatives.
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Production Engineering, or a related field; a master’s degree in business or operations management is an advantage.
- Extensive experience (20 years) in automotive forging operations, including senior leadership responsibility.
- Solid understanding of forging processes, machining, lean manufacturing, and quality systems (e.g., IATF 16949, ISO standards).
- Effective leadership and people management skills, including team development, performance management, and succession planning.
- Excellent communication, analytical, and decision-making abilities, with readiness to work on-site in Ludhiana.

📌 Vice President – Operations (Automotive Forging) (Ludhiana)
🏢 KNL - Knows No Limits
📍 Ludhiana