Job Description (JD) Plant Manager (Pipe Fabrication Facility)
Function: Manufacturing / Operations | Location: Pipe Fabrication Plant | Employment: Full-time

Role Summary
The Plant Manager is responsible for end-to-end setup and daily operation of pipe fabrication facility (stainless steel piping spools for liquid cooling secondary fluid networks). The role owns production output, stores and inventory control, billing and dispatch documentation, and leadership of QA/QC teams to meet client requirements on cleanliness, weld quality, traceability, and packaging.
Reporting & Interfaces

• Reports to: Operations Head / Project Director
• Direct reports: Production Supervisor(s), QA/QC Lead, Stores & Logistics In-charge, Billing/Documentation Executive, HSE Officer.
• Key interfaces: Engineering/Design, Procurement, Client QA/Inspection, Transporters, Testing/Calibration vendors.

Key Responsibilities
A. Production & Delivery

• Plan and execute weekly/daily production schedules for spools, headers, tees and assemblies (manual GTAW + orbital welding).
• Ensure routing through fabrication, welding, cleaning/flushing, drying, passivation (where applicable), inspection and final packing.
• Control WIP and bottlenecks; ensure on-time dispatch with required cleanliness and protection (caps, shrink wrap, pallets/crates).
• Coordinate utilities and consumables (argon, nitrogen, chemicals, demin/distilled water, filters) and minimize downtime.

B. Billing, Dispatch & Documentation

• Own dispatch readiness: packing list, test certificates, inspection release note, heat number traceability and delivery challans.
• Coordinate measurement/billing: quantity reconciliation with production and stores, and support client billing milestones.
• Maintain document control for QAP, ITPs, WPS summaries, calibration certificates and batch records.

C. Stores, Inventory & Traceability

• Implement FIFO/FEFO where needed; control receipt, identification and storage of SS pipe/tube, fittings, gaskets, fasteners and instruments.
• Ensure material traceability (MTC linkage to spool/batch), segregation of non-conforming material, and controlled issue to shopfloor.
• Maintain min/max levels and reorder triggers; perform weekly cycle counts and monthly physical stock audits.

D. Quality Assurance / Quality Control

• Implement Piping Factory QAP: incoming inspection, in-process checks, final inspection, dimensional checks, weld visual acceptance and records.
• Drive cleanliness compliance: internal surface protection, flushing/cleaning verification, drying controls and cleanliness hold points.
• Manage NCR/CAR system, root cause analysis and corrective actions; maintain quality dashboards and client-facing records.
• Coordinate NDT/pressure testing (where specified), instrument calibration, and third-party inspections.

E. People, Safety & Continuous Improvement

• Lead production, QA, stores and documentation teams; set daily targets, conduct toolbox talks and enforce 5S.
• Ensure HSE compliance in welding bays, chemical handling areas, lifting/rigging and material movement.
• Run continuous improvement initiatives: rework reduction, weld defect reduction, turnaround time improvements and cost control.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
AreaTypical KPIDeliveryOn-time dispatch %, plan vs actual output, lead time per batchQualityNCR rate, rework %, client rejection %, cleanliness non-conformance countStoresStock accuracy %, material traceability compliance, aging/slow-moving inventoryBilling/DocsDispatch document accuracy, billing cycle time, audit findingsSafetyNear misses/incident rate, chemical handling compliance, PPE adherenceDecision-Making Authority

• Approve daily production plan, manpower deployment, shift allocation and dispatch readiness.
• Stop-work authority for safety risk, quality escape, or cleanliness breach.
• Approve material issue/return, quarantine disposition recommendations (with QA lead), and rework planning.

Qualification & Experience

• Bachelors degree/diploma in Mechanical / Production / Industrial Engineering (or equivalent).
• 815 years of manufacturing/plant operations experience; at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Exposure to stainless steel fabrication (GTAW/orbital), QA/QC systems, documentation and client inspections.
• Experience in clean fabrication / hygienic piping / industrial utility piping is preferred (data centre liquid cooling is a plus).

Required Skills & Competencies

• Production planning, line balancing, shopfloor management and delivery discipline.
• QA/QC management: ITPs, NCR/CAR, traceability, calibration and inspection release documentation.
• Stores and logistics: inventory control, FIFO, material identification and dispatch packing discipline.
• Working knowledge of manual GTAW and orbital welding for thin-wall stainless steel.
• Strong Excel/ERP discipline; ability to manage reports for production, billing, stores and quality.
• Client communication, audit handling, and vendor coordination (transporters, labs, calibration agencies).

Work Pattern

• Plant-based role; may require shift work during peak deliveries.
• Occasional travel to client/site for coordination, inspections or issue closure.