TQM Head

Position Title:
Vice President Total Quality Management
Location:
Ballari, Karnataka
Industry:
Integrated Steel Plant (Pellets, Sponge Iron, Billets, Captive Mining & Power Plant)
Reporting To:
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) / Managing Director (MD)
Department:
Quality Control & Quality Assurance

1. Position Overview
   The Vice President Total Quality Management will lead and oversee the entire
   quality function across captive mining operations, pellet plant, sponge iron (DRI)
   plant, billet production, and captive power plant.
   The role is responsible for establishing and driving a robust Quality Management
   System (QMS) to ensure adherence to national and international standards, enhance
   process reliability, and improve customer satisfaction.
   The incumbent will play a critical role in ensuring consistency in raw materials, in-
   process quality, and finished products, while driving continuous improvement
   initiatives across the value chain.
   Preference will be given to candidates proficient in Kannada and having extensive
   experience in integrated steel manufacturing.

2. Key Responsibilities
   2.1 Strategic Quality Leadership

• Develop and implement corporate quality strategy aligned with business
  objectives.
• Lead QC & QA functions across all operational units.
• Define and monitor quality benchmarks for pellets, sponge iron, billets, and
  raw materials.
• Present periodic quality performance reports to CEO/MD.
  2.2 Raw Material Quality (Captive Mining)
• Ensure consistency and quality of iron ore from captive mines.
• Monitor key parameters:
  o Fe Content
  o Alumina / Silica Ratio
  o Size Distribution
  o Moisture Levels
• Coordinate with mining and beneficiation teams for ore blending and grade
  control.
  2.3 Pellet Plant Quality
• Ensure adherence to pellet quality standards including:
  o Fe %
  o Compression Strength
  o Reducibility
  o Swelling Index
  o Size Distribution
• Implement advanced quality monitoring and laboratory testing systems.
  2.4 Sponge Iron (DRI) Quality
• Monitor and control DRI quality parameters:
  o Metallization %
  o Carbon Content
  o Fe Content
  o Physical Strength
• Work closely with operations to reduce accretion, ring formation, and
  deviations.

2.5 Billet Quality

• Oversee billet quality including:
  o Chemical Composition
  o Internal Soundness
  o Surface Defects
  o Macrostructure
• Ensure billets meet downstream rolling mill and customer specifications.
  2.6 Captive Power Plant Quality Support
• Ensure quality of inputs such as coal and water impacting plant operations.
• Monitor ash handling and boiler parameters affecting process stability.
• Coordinate with power plant team to ensure uninterrupted and stable energy
  supply.
  2.7 Laboratory & Testing Management
• Lead central laboratory operations covering:
  o Chemical Analysis
  o Metallurgical Testing
  o Mechanical Testing
• Ensure lab accreditation, calibration, and adherence to testing standards.
  2.8 Quality Systems & Certifications
• Ensure compliance with:
  o ISO 9001 Quality Management System
  o Internal and external audits
  o Supplier quality audits
• Strengthen documentation and audit systems.
  2.9 Continuous Improvement
• Drive Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing initiatives.
• Conduct Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for quality issues.
• Reduce variability, defects, and rejections across processes.

2.10 Team Leadership

• Lead and mentor multi-disciplinary teams including:
  o Quality Engineers
  o Metallurgists
  o Laboratory Personnel
• Build strong cross-functional collaboration with production, maintenance, and
  mining teams.

3. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Product rejection rate reduction
• Pellet and DRI quality compliance levels
• Billet defect rate
• Customer complaint reduction
• Raw material quality consistency
• Laboratory turnaround time
• Audit compliance scores

4. Required Qualifications
   Education

• B.E. / B.Tech in Metallurgy / Materials Engineering
• M.Tech (Preferred)
  Experience
• Minimum 20+ years in steel manufacturing
• At least 10 years in senior quality leadership roles
• Experience in:
  o Sponge Iron (DRI)
  o Pellet Plant Operations
  o Billet / Steelmaking
  o Integrated Steel Plant Environment

5. Technical Expertise

• Iron ore beneficiation and pelletization
• DRI process technology
• Steelmaking and billet quality control
• Metallurgical and mechanical testing methods
• Process optimization and quality systems

6. Skills & Competencies

• Strategic Leadership
• Data-driven Decision Making
• Process Improvement & Problem Solving
• Team Building & People Management
• Vendor & Supplier Quality Management
• Strong Communication & Stakeholder Management

7. Language Requirements

• Kannada Preferred
• English Mandatory (Fluent)

8. Additional Requirements

• Willingness to be based in Ballari
• Strong exposure to multi-plant integrated operations
• Ability to drive cultural transformation towards quality excellence