Assistant Production Manager

Business Unit: MAES

Division: Packaging Board Assembly

Job Summary

We are seeking a proactive and hands-on Assistant Production Manager who is passionate about operational excellence in a specialty chemical manufacturing environment. This individual will support day to day plant operations, ensure production targets are met safely and efficiently, and act as a key liaison between Production, Quality, EHS, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams. The ideal candidate thrives in a dynamic environment, demonstrates strong leadership presence on the shop floor, and brings a continuous improvement mindset.

What will you be doing

Production Operations Execution

- Support the Production Manager in executing the daily/weekly production plan to meet volume, quality, and cost targets.

- Supervise shift operations and ensure adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety protocols, and regulatory requirements.

- Monitor production equipment performance and collaborate with Maintenance/Engineering to minimize downtime.

- Manage raw material usage, batch execution, process controls, and documentation accuracy.

People Leadership Workforce Management

- Lead, guide, and support production operators/technicians; provide coaching, performance feedback, and daily direction.

- Ensure adequate shift staffing, training, and skill development in alignment with operational needs.

- Promote a strong safety culture through daily interactions, toolbox talks, and visible leadership on the production floor.

Quality, EHS Compliance





- Partner with Quality and EHS teams to investigate deviations, non conformances, and safety incidents, and implement corrective/preventive actions.

- Maintain full compliance with company policies, local regulations, and industry standards for chemical handling and manufacturing.

- Ensure batch and process records meet internal and regulatory documentation standards.

Continuous Improvement Optimization

- Participate in and lead improvement initiatives including process optimization, waste reduction, and cycle time improvements.

- Use Lean, Six Sigma, or other operational excellence tools to drive measurable improvements.

- Support new product introductions, trials, and scale-up activities in collaboration with RD and Technical teams.

Who are You

Education

- Bachelor s degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Chemistry, or a related technical field.

Experience

- 3-6 years of experience in production, process operations, or manufacturing supervision;

experience in specialty chemicals, chemicals, or related industries strongly preferred.

- Prior experience leading shift teams or supervising daily operations in a manufacturing setting.

- Exposure to process safety management (PSM)



or similar high hazard manufacturing environments is an advantage.

Technical Qualifications

- Strong understanding of batch or continuous chemical manufacturing processes.

- Working knowledge of EHS standards, regulatory requirements, and quality systems (ISO, GMP, or equivalent).

- Proficiency in production reporting systems, SAP or similar ERP systems, and MS Office applications.

What competencies will you need

Leadership People Management

- Ability to guide and motivate frontline operators, build trust, and drive accountability.

- Strong communication skills to align diverse teams and ensure clarity in daily operations.

Operational Excellence

- Problem-solving mindset with the ability to analyze data, identify root causes, and implement improvements.

- Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.

Safety Quality Mindset

- Demonstrates strong commitment to safety, compliance, and quality in every aspect of production.

- Able to foster a culture of safe behaviors and procedural discipline.

Execution Decision-Making

- Comfortable making timely decisions in a fast-paced production environment.

- Strong organizational skills to prioritize tasks and manage multiple operational demands.

Collaboration Stakeholder Management

- Works effectively with cross-functional teams such as Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, QC, and EHS.

- Explicit communicator with the ability to convey technical information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

📌 Assistant Production Manager (Chennai)
🏢 Element Solutions
📍 Chennai