Blade Operations Global Equipment and Mould Leader

Job Description Summary

Blade Operations Global Equipment and Mould Leader will lead the global strategy, design, procurement, manufacturing, maintenance, and optimization of equipment and molds critical to wind blade production with partnership with functions teams including design, process, sourcing, quality, plant etc. This role drives operational excellence, cost efficiency, and innovation across a global network of manufacturing sites, suppliers, and cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate will align equipment/molds strategy with the company's growth goals, ensure compliance with global safety/quality standards, and lead a diverse team to deliver scalable, reliable solutions for wind blades operations.

Job Description

Roles and Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Planning
  
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• • Develop and execute a global 3-5 year strategy for wind blade equipment covering blades manufacturing process and molds (molds, gantries, tooling and fixtures) aligned with business objectives (e.g., safety and quality improvement, cost reduction, capacity expansion, blade design innovation).
    
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  • Identify market trends, emerging technologies (e.g., additive manufacturing for molds, smart equipment IoT integration, automation for process), and competitive threats to inform strategic decisions.
    
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  • Collaborate with executive leadership to allocate global budgets, prioritize capital investments, and scale equipment/molds capabilities for new blade platforms
• Global Operations Management
• • Oversee end-to-end lifecycle management of equipment and molds across global manufacturing sites:
    
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  • • Procurement: support sourcing to source, negotiate, and qualify global suppliers for equipment/molds; ensure cost competitiveness, lead time adherence, and quality compliance.
      
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    • Manufacturing & Installation & storing & transferring: Lead the project management of mold and critical equipment entire life cycle activities, including technical specifications, drawings, prototyping, production, installation, dismantling, storing and transferring; coordinate equipment commissioning and site integration.
      
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    • Maintenance & Optimization: lead to Implement predictive maintenance programs, troubleshoot operational issues, and drive process improvements to minimize downtime.
      
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    • Disposal/Refurbishment: Lead sustainable decommissioning or refurbishment of aging equipment/molds to reduce environmental impact.
      
      Ensure alignment with global manufacturing standards (ISO 9001, OHSAS 18001, environmental regulations) and company safety protocols.
• Innovation & R&D Integration
• • Partner with R&D and Blade Design teams to develop equipment/molds for new blades ; explore , validate new technologies and lead for implementation into plants;
  • Lead cross-functional innovation projects and measure ROI on new initiatives.
  • Patent and scale proprietary equipment/mold technologies to gain competitive advantage.
• Supply Chain & Vendor Management
• • Together with sourcing, sourcing quality, build and develop a global network of strategic suppliers for equipment/molds; conduct regular performance audits and mitigate supply chain risks (e.g., material shortages, geopolitical disruptions).
  • Drive supplier development programs to improve quality, reduce costs, and accelerate innovation (e.g., co-developing equipment with key vendors).
• Team Leadership & Development
• • Lead a global team of professionals (engineers, managers, technicians); foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
  • Recruit, develop, and retain top talent; conduct performance reviews, set individual goals, and provide career growth opportunities.
  • Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across the global team.
• Stakeholder Collaboration & Reporting

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders: EHS, Quality, Manufacturing plants, R&D, process, , Program, S&OP, Finance etc to execute business priorities and deliver results.
• Report in defined rhythm to executive leadership on key metrics to meet SQDCP target and drive PSR and continuous improvement. .

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field; Master's Degree (MBA, MS in Engineering Management) preferred.
  
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• Professional Experience:
• • 12+ years of progressive experience in wind energy, aerospace, or heavy manufacturing-with 5+ years focused on equipment/molds for composite structures (wind blades, aircraft components, etc.).
    
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  • 5+ years of senior leadership experience of managing global teams and cross-regional operations.
    
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  • Proven track record of leading equipment/mold strategy for large-scale manufacturing and scaling operations across regions.
    
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• Technical Expertise:
• • Deep knowledge of wind blade manufacturing processes and associated equipment/molds.
  • Familiarity with emerging technologies: additive manufacturing (3D printing) for molds, IoT-enabled smart equipment, and sustainable materials (recycled composites) and automation.
  • Proficiency in CAD/CAM software (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks) and equipment maintenance management systems (e.g., CMMS) is preferred .

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align operational goals with long-term business objectives.
  
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• Global Leadership: Experience managing diverse, remote teams across cultures and time zones.
  
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• Supply Chain Management: Expertise in global supplier qualification, negotiation, and risk mitigation.
  
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• Innovation: Track record of driving technical innovation and process improvements.
  
  • Financial Acumen: Ability to manage large budgets, optimize costs, and deliver ROI on investments.
  
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• Communication: Excellent verbal/written communication skills to collaborate with executives, engineers, and suppliers.
  
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• Problem-Solving: Proven ability to resolve complex operational and technical issues.

• Experience in wind blade manufacturing, aero space etc composite industry.
• Certification in Project Management (PMP), Six Sigma (Black Belt), or ISO Standards.
• Track record of patenting equipment/mold innovations or leading sustainability initiatives (e.g., recycled mold materials).

• 25-30% global travel (visiting manufacturing sites, suppliers, and industry events).