Chief Operating Officer

Chennai Permanent View Job Description
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will oversee the daily operations, ensuring efficiency and high-quality output in engineering and manufacturing processes. This role requires strategic planning, operational excellence, and a strong understanding of the paper industry.
  • Work with a PE backed firm in the paper and packaging industry
  • Be part of the expansion journey to becoming a packaging solutions player

About Our Client

The company is a well-established organization within the paper industry, listed on the NSE and are backed by a large PE firm. They are expanding their operations across packaging solutions

Job Description

1. Strategy & P&L Execution

  • Translate the promoter / board vision into 3-5 year operational plan for paper and corrugation businesses.
  • Deliver annual operating plan: volumes, capacity utilisation, conversion costs, OTIF, quality, EBITDA margin targets.
  • Evaluate and drive new plant locations (Chennai/Bangalore belt), capacity expansion, debottlenecking and automation.



2. Manufacturing & Operations

  • Own performance of all plants (paper mill + corrugated plants): production planning, maintenance, quality, safety.
  • Improve capacity utilisation, machine uptime, yield, power & fuel efficiency, and wastage levels.
  • Standardise SOPs, 5S, TPM / lean practices across locations.
  • Ensure statutory and environmental compliance (Pollution Control Board, safety norms, boiler and factory regulations).



3. Supply Chain & Logistics Oversight

  • Work with Head - Logistics & SCM to optimise raw material sourcing (waste paper / kraft), freight, warehouse footprint.
  • Decide make vs buy for corrugated capacity, satellite units, stock points near key customer clusters (Chennai, Bengaluru, etc.).
  • Build reliable demand forecasting + production planning interface with sales.



4. Customers & Commercials

  • Support sales team in key account management with large FMCG, e-commerce, auto ancillary and industrial customers.
  • Oversee costing, pricing logic, and margin discipline at product / customer / plant level.
  • Resolve major service issues, quality complaints and credit / payment escalations.



5. People, Organisation & Culture

  • Build a strong second line: plant heads, SCM head, quality head, project managers.
  • Move the organisation from promoter-centric to process-driven without losing agility.
  • Install performance management: KPIs, monthly reviews, dashboards, incentive structures for operations.



6. Systems, Data & Governance

  • Champion ERP / MIS implementation, ensuring single source of truth for production, inventory, cost and profitability.
  • Provide monthly ops pack to promoters / PE investors with clear metrics and variance analysis.
  • Strengthen internal controls, approvals, and risk management in operations.

The Successful Applicant

  • 15-25years' experience with at least 5+ years heading multi-plant operations in Paper / packaging / corrugated boxes manufacturing
  • Strong exposure to South India ecosystem is a plus (Tamil Nadu / Karnataka).
  • Proven track record of scaling plants, reducing costs, and professionalising mid-sized companies.
  • Comfortable working with promoter-driven + investor-backed environment, hands-on and on the shopfloor.
  • Good communications, should speak Tamil



What's on Offer

  • Competitive salary package.
  • Opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
Quote job ref
JN-122025-6895730

Job summary

Function
Engineering & Manufacturing
Sub Sector
Manufacturing operations
What is your area of specialisation?
Industrial / Manufacturing
Location
Chennai
Job Type
Permanent
Job Reference
JN-122025-6895730

Diversity & Inclusion at Michael Page

We don't just accept difference - we celebrate it. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply for this role and are committed to building inclusive, diverse workplaces where everyone can thrive. If you require any support or reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.