Manager - Facilities & Engineering, India

Role overview

In this position, you will lead facilities and engineering operations across five sites in India. The scope covers essential utilities such as power distribution, water treatment, compressed air, and steam, along with electroplating and chemical-processing lines including anodizing, plating baths, and wastewater treatment.

What you will handle

• Direct the day-to-day running and upkeep of facility systems across all five Indian locations, including utilities and electroplating-related equipment.
• Build and run preventive maintenance plans, diagnose breakdowns, and coordinate corrective work to reduce production interruptions.
• Maintain compliance in a chemical-processing environment through inspections, risk reviews, and training initiatives.
• Lead technicians, engineers, and contractors, including performance management, capability building, and manpower allocation.
• Drive better energy consumption, lower utility spend, and support sustainability efforts while keeping critical equipment highly available.
• Work closely with production, quality, and safety teams on process enhancements, capital investments, and emergency preparedness.
• Own budgeting, KPI tracking such as reliability and maintenance expense, and reporting for senior management.
• Take charge during emergencies, including chemical leaks, equipment outages, and utility failures, with a strong focus on incident-free operations.

Technical expertise expected

• Solid electrical knowledge, including interpretation of power bills, drawings, wiring diagrams, panels, circuit breakers, HT, VCB, and related safety equipment.
• Hands-on understanding of PLCs, BMS, access control systems, and fire detection/public address systems.
• Experience with HVAC systems, including water-cooled and air-cooled chillers, condensers, cooling towers, AHUs, TFA units, extraction systems, and scrubbers.
• Ability to assess air quality controls in chemical-hazard areas and understand HVAC load calculations and design basics.
• Fire protection system knowledge, including alarm panel programming, PA system setup, hydrant systems, sprinkler systems, jockey pumps, and automation.
• Practical exposure to emergency response and business continuity planning.
• Civil works awareness, including local regulations, basic plan reading, NBC-related interpretation, BOQ preparation, and coordination of interior, civil, cleanroom, and MEP works.
• Knowledge of water and waste treatment systems such as WWTP, STP, RO, and DI plants, plus the associated occupational hazards and safety controls.
• Understanding of waste handling rules and PCB compliance requirements.
• Knowledge of chemical compatibility and suitable piping materials for chemical transfer, including PPR, PVDF, PVC, PP, SS, and titanium.

Background and experience

• A bachelor’s degree in mechanical, chemical, electrical, or industrial engineering is expected; an MBA or a master’s degree in engineering or operations management is preferred.
• You should bring 13 to 15 years of experience in facilities and maintenance, ideally within chemical, specialty chemicals, or electroplating manufacturing.
• Prior success leading multi-site operations with a mix of direct employees and contract resources in India is important.
• Working knowledge of chemical manufacturing, electroplating processes, and industrial utility design and operation is required.
• Experience with CMMS, EHS systems, and audit preparedness for internal, regulatory, and customer reviews is valued.
• Strong leadership over teams, vendors, and contractors in demanding environments is essential.
• Clear communication, problem solving, and stakeholder management with plant leadership, safety, environment, and corporate teams are needed.
• Proficiency in SAP, MS Office, documentation, MIS reporting, and presentation preparation is expected.

Personal strengths

• Confident leadership with a collaborative approach.
• Curiosity to learn and continuously improve.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset.
• Good listening ability and effective communication.
• Structured, creative, and process-driven working style.
• Comfort working with both local and global teams.
• Ability to protect confidential information.
• Ownership mindset with an innovative outlook.
• Willingness to travel for work when needed.