Chief Operating Officer

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Own end-to-end operational P&L outcomes gross margin per project, cost of delivery, throughput, and on-time completion
• Manage the complete order-to-handover cycle: proposal, design freeze, procurement handoff, manufacturing, site execution, commissioning, performance guarantee and O&M handover
• Set and defend the operating budget across all functions; review variance monthly with the CMD
• Lead and develop HOD – Proposal & Process, HOD – Design, HOD – Projects, GM – O&M, and oversee Production, Support (IT/Admin/ERP), HR and R&D functions
• Run a fixed governance rhythm — weekly execution reviews, monthly project/margin reviews, quarterly capability and manpower reviews
• Build a strong second line of leadership with succession plans for key roles
• Standardise engineering practices — design templates, equipment libraries, technical specs, SOPs and checklists
• Drive ERP adoption as the single source of truth for costing, material movement, manpower and progress tracking
• Institute a project risk register and formal change-control process for scope, design and cost
• Support international operations in Dubai and Italy, including overseas commissioning and client/consultant coordination
• Ensure engineering and documentation standards meet international client expectations
• Own EHS (Environment, Health & Safety) across the workshop and all project sites
• Ensure statutory and pollution control compliance (TNPCB/CPCB and overseas equivalents)

Desired Candidate Profile:

• 18+ years of experience in turnkey water/wastewater treatment (ETP, STP, RO, ZLD) or comparable process EPC
• At least 5 years in a Head of Operations, COO, or equivalent multi-function leadership role
• Proven record of delivering turnkey plants on time and within cost
• Experience managing multiple concurrent project sites, coordinating design, procurement, manufacturing and execution
• Strong commercial acumen — project P&L, margin protection, cost control, and negotiation of change orders/claims
• Demonstrated ability to build and retain an engineering/execution team
• Working knowledge of ERP systems and project planning tools
• BE/B.Tech in Chemical, Mechanical or Environmental Engineering; MBA/PGDM preferred