About the role

John Cockerill, enablers of opportunities

Driven since 1817 by the entrepreneurial spirit and thirst for innovation of its founder, the John Cockerill Group develops large-scale technological solutions to meet the needs of its time: facilitating access to low carbon energies, enabling sustainable industrial production, preserving natural resources, contributing to greener mobility, enhancing security and installing essential infrastructures.

Its offer to businesses, governments and communities consists of services and associated equipment for the sectors of energy, defence, industry, the environment, transports, and infrastructures. With more than 8,000 employees, John Cockerill achieved a turnover of € 1.417 billion in 2024 in 28 countries, on 5 continents.

Location - Taloja

Position Summary

The Head – Expediting & Quality is responsible for ensuring timely delivery of project materials, maintaining supplier quality performance, expediting manufacturing progress, coordinating inspections, and driving effective supplier management across all outsourced (OS) items. The role leads the Expediting team, interfaces closely with Procurement, Engineering, Projects, and Suppliers, and is accountable for achieving on-time delivery, quality compliance, and successful dispatch of equipment’s.

Key Responsibilities

1. Expediting Leadership & Supplier Management

Establish and implement expediting strategies for all outsourced (OS) items.
Lead kick-off meetings with suppliers in coordination with project, purchase and engineering teams.
Ensure suppliers submit General Manufacturing Plans (GMP) and bought-out item documentation within specified timelines.
Monitor supplier manufacturing schedules and proactively identify potential delays.
Develop mitigation plans for delayed orders by coordinating with suppliers.
Review supplier workload and capacity utilization and advise Procurement regarding future order placement.
Hands-on experience in machining, fabrication, materials, heat treatment, coating, plating, and assembly processes.
Drive continuous improvement in supplier performance and delivery reliability.

2. Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Ensure implementation of approved Quality Assurance Plans (QAPs) at supplier locations.
Conduct regular inspection and quality audit at supplier workshop.
Ensure in-process quality, visual and dimensional inspections are carried out at critical manufacturing stages.
Coordinate stage inspections and final inspections in alignment with QAP / ITP requirements.
Ensure all engineering revisions are properly communicated and implemented by suppliers.
Establish systems for early detection and resolution of quality issues.
Monitor supplier quality performance and drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).

3. Project Coordination

Work closely with Project Management, Engineering, Procurement, Finance to Facilitate timely resolution of supplier technical queries.
Ensure supplier concerns are addressed within agreed timelines.
Participate in project review meetings and provide accurate status updates.
Maintain visibility of project schedules and critical delivery milestones.

4. Progress Monitoring & Reporting

Monitor manufacturing progress at supplier works on a continuous basis.
Conduct periodic supplier visits and prepare Manufacturing progress report.
Establish a robust progress tracking mechanism.
Review weekly expediting reports prepared by the team.
Provide management with:
- Manufacturing status
- Critical issues
- Risk assessments
- Recovery plans
- Expected delivery dates

6. Logistics, Packing & Dispatch Control

Oversee supplier compliance with project-specific packing requirements.
Review and validate preliminary packing lists against BOM and scope of supply.
Ensure export and domestic packing standards are followed.
Verify:
- Packaging quality
- Shipping marks
- Labels
- Stenciling
- Lifting marks
Witness critical packing and loading activities.
Coordinate dispatch readiness and shipment release.
Resolve post-shipment packaging and logistics concerns.

8. Team Leadership

Lead and develop:
- Field Expeditors cum Inspector
- Desk Expeditors
Establish performance objectives and KPIs.
Train team members in supplier management, quality inspection, ERP processes, and reporting requirements.
Drive a culture of accountability, urgency, and continuous improvement.
Allocate resources across projects based on priorities and workload.

Experience - 15 to 20 years in Heavy Engineering Industry (Steel Plant Equipment Manufacturing preferred)

Qualification - B.E./B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering

Assistant General Manager - QMS & EHS

About the role