Job Description
Job Title :HOD Planning & Logistics
Department :Production Planning, Dispatch & Logistics
Reporting To :Plant Head
Location: Khopoli, Raigad District, Maharashtra
Preferred Industries: Steel Processing, CRCA / Flat Steel, Automotive Component Manufacturing
(metal), Coil/Sheet Service Centres, Integrated Steel (planning divisions)
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Prepare weekly and daily production plans (rolling plans) based on order book, RM availability, line capacity, and delivery commitments. Ensure plans are communicated to all departments.
- Sequence coils through the process chain: pickling rolling annealing skin pass finishing (slitting/CTL). Optimise sequence to minimise changeovers, annealing batch inefficiency, and WIP buildup.
- Manage RM scheduling: coordinate with procurement on HR coil delivery schedules, verify RM specifications against order requirements, and maintain RM receipt records with weight and quality verification.
- Own dispatch planning: prepare daily/weekly dispatch plans based on FG readiness, customer priorities, vehicle availability, and logistics capacity. Ensure dispatch plan adherence.
- Monitor and control inventory levels: RM, WIP (at each process stage), and FG. Report inventory days and ageing weekly. Flag slow-moving or excess inventory for resolution.
- Maintain coil traceability: ensure each coil is tracked through every process stage with unique identification (coil number, heat number, grade, dimensions). ERP data entry discipline is critical.
- Coordinate with sales/commercial for order confirmations, delivery date commitments, and any changes in customer requirements. Serve as the plant-side interface for customer delivery queries.
- Manage warehouse and yard operations: systematic storage of RM, WIP, and FG coils/sheets. Ensure FIFO discipline, damage prevention, and easy retrieval for dispatch.
- Own logistics coordination: vehicle planning, transporter management, freight cost monitoring, and in-transit tracking. Optimise vehicle utilisation and reduce logistics cost per tonne.
- Resolve production bottlenecks: when plan deviations occur (breakdowns, quality holds, RM delays), quickly re-plan and communicate revised schedules to all stakeholders.
- Ensure ERP accuracy: all planning, scheduling, inventory, and dispatch data must be entered accurately and in real time. Coordinate with IT/ERP team to resolve system issues.
- Drive RM-to-FG conversion cycle time reduction: track the average time from RM receipt to FG dispatch, identify delay points, and implement improvements.
- Prepare MIS and reports: daily production report, weekly dispatch plan vs actual, inventory position, order book status, customer delivery adherence report, and WIP ageing report.
- Coordinate with stores and procurement for consumable availability (packaging material, strapping, edge protectors) to avoid dispatch delays.
- Support new product/customer onboarding: ensure planning systems accommodate new grades, dimensions, or special processing requirements.
MUST-HAVE CANDIDATE PROFILE:
Experience Required: 1020 years in production planning, supply chain, or dispatch management in steel/metal processing or discrete manufacturing with multi-stage production. At least 34 years heading the planning or logistics function.
Mandatory Industry Exposure: Mandatory: Steel processing, flat steel, automotive metal, or coil/sheet- based manufacturing. Must understand multi-stage production scheduling where sequencing matters (not single-step assembly).
Preferred Plant Types: Plants with 3+ interdependent process stages. Ideally: pickling + rolling + annealing + finishing. Also acceptable: metal processing with sequential operations (e.g., casting + rolling + finishing in non-ferrous).
Education: B.E./B.Tech (any stream acceptable). MBA (Operations/Supply Chain) is a plus.
Technical Skills: Production scheduling in a multi-stage environment. Order management. Inventory control (RM, WIP, FG). Dispatch and logistics management. Understanding of steel grades and dimensions sufficiently to plan coil sequences.
ERP / MIS Expectations: Must have hands-on ERP experience (SAP PP/MM, custom systems). Must be able to generate and use planning/dispatch MIS. Excel proficiency is essential.
Leadership Capability: Has managed a planning/dispatch team of 8–20 (planners, dispatch coordinators, warehouse staff). Must be a coordinator-type who can influence production, quality, and sales without having direct authority.
Communication: Strong communication essential — this role interfaces with every department and with customers. Must be assertive but collaborative.