DGM Plant Launch

ABOUT AGRATAS

Agratas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons. We design, develop and manufacture high-quality, high-performance, sustainable batteries applied to multiple use cases in the mobility and energy sectors, to match our customers’ requirements.

Agratas is a scale-up business with a start-up mentality, driven by our pursuit of green growth and technological progress.

We develop next-generation battery technologies at our state-of-the-art R&D Innovation Hubs in India and the UK.

JOB SUMMARY

The Plant Launch DGM will be responsible for coordinating the overall launch of the gigafactory, ensuring that the product is delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. This role involves coordinating all aspects of the plant’s operations readiness, including operator hiring and training, process development, system execution, equipment prove-out, and ensuring proper documentation and SOPs are in place. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in cell manufacturing operations, a proven track record in plant launches

RESPONSIBILITIES

Team Development and Leadership:

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing team, ensuring the right mix of expertise across various workstreams.
• Collaborate with the operations team to oversee the recruitment, training, and development of plant staff, ensuring they are ready to execute the plant’s operations at full scale.

Plant Commissioning and Readiness:

• Oversee installation and commissioning of all equipment and systems.
• Validate operational readiness of machinery, utilities, IT/OT systems, and production lines.
• Ensure timely achievement of ramp-up and SOP targets

Process and Equipment Validation:

• Ensure that all manufacturing processes, equipment, and technologies are thoroughly tested and validated to meet quality standards.
• Work closely with the process engineering team to ensure processes are optimized for scale and efficiency.

IT/OT Systems Execution:

Coordinate the deployment and prove-out of all IT/OT systems necessary for plant operations, ensuring seamless integration between manufacturing systems and the broader organizational infrastructure.

Documentation and SOP Development:

• Lead the development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs, Ams, PMs, PDMs etc.) for plant operations.
• Recruit and manage technical writers to ensure document accuracy and alignment with industry standards

Risk Management and Issue Resolution:

Identify and mitigate potential risks during the launch process. Proactively resolve any challenges or obstacles that arise during commissioning or initial operations.

Collaboration with Key Stakeholders:

Collaborate with internal teams (e.g., IT, PMO, Process Engineering, Operations) and external partners (e.g., technology providers, contractors) to ensure all deliverables are met on time. Act as the key liaison(conduit) between the global process engineering team and the operations team to ensure their needs are integrated into the launch plan.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting:

Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) for the plant launch. Provide regular updates to senior management on progress, risks, and key milestones.

Role Specific Skills/Qualifications/Certifications

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in cell manufacturing operations, with at least one full cycle of cell launch (from Equipment Design to ramp-up). Overall experience of minimum 10-15 years.
• Experience with LFP/NMC cell manufacturing processes and technologies.
• Proven track record of managing or leading plant launches, including coordinating cross-functional teams and ensuring successful execution on time and on budget.

Leadership & Team Building:

• Experience in building and leading teams, including hiring, training, and motivating Staff for large-scale manufacturing operations.
• Strong ability to lead by example, foster collaboration, and deliver results through team engagement.

Project Management Skills:

• Project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage complex, multi-faceted projects simultaneously.

Technical Expertise:

• Understanding of cell manufacturing processes, equipment, and systems, specifically in the EV battery industry.
• Experience in the deployment and execution of IT/OT systems within a cell manufacturing environment.

Communication Skills:

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Comfortable reporting to senior management and communicating complex issues and solutions.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering.
• PMP certification or other relevant project management qualifications are a plus.