Pankaj Sharma
Sterling
Summary
Operations leader with expertise in optimizing manufacturing processes and achieving significant cost reductions. Demonstrated success in implementing continuous improvement initiatives that boost productivity and maintain high-quality standards. Proficient in facilitating cross-functional collaboration to meet strategic business goals.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Operations
Wahl Clipper Corporation
Sterling
04.2024 - Current
- Implemented in-house blade manufacturing processes at Wahl Vietnam, achieving factory turnaround from loss to profit with 100% capacity enhancement.
- Directed Wahl Vietnam operations, secured employee buy-in for company vision, and established roadmap for world-class manufacturing through continuous improvement culture.
- Drove end-to-end operational performance across manufacturing, ensuring safety, quality, delivery, cost, inventory, labor productivity, and customer service.
- Built scalable manufacturing capabilities by translating business strategies into operational execution through network optimization and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Led organizational accountability and culture development by cultivating high-performing leadership teams in operations, engineering, maintenance, quality, materials, and supply chain functions.
- Redesigned factory layout from product-based to process-based, enhancing safety and productivity.
- Oversaw manufacturing engineering group for successful new product industrialization and establishment of professional products in Vietnam.
- Collaborated with US and Far East sales teams to develop strategies for acquiring new business opportunities.
Production & Engineering Director
Ariston Group
02.2010 - 08.2019
- Led green field project for factory establishment and ramp-up in Ariston Vietnam, achieving 85% OEE of key processes within first year.
- Established manufacturing, procurement, and supply chain strategies to meet business objectives for price, quality, and delivery through Lean-Clean-Green green field project.
- World Class Manufacturing (WCM), World Class Engineering (WCE) Ramp-up in Vietnam for realizing Projects of Equipment manufacturing, Internal & External Logistics Systems & Flow design, developing a supply chain and identifying a roadmap for Procurement operations based on Factory Master Plan, Establishment of Quality, Production & Maintenance systems and World Class HS&E systems ensuring ZERO Defect, ZERO Loss & ZERO Accidents
- Defined factory master plan for all industrial functions with 3-year rolling forecast, driven by 5-year cost deployment approach and aligned with product roadmap from R&D.
- Led industrial and manufacturing engineering operations.
Value Stream Manager (Manufacturing)
Procter & Gamble
04.2008 - 02.2010
- Led Product Supply (PS) Division of P&G Gillette India Ltd
- Managed end-to-end manufacturing teams to enhance productivity and quality outcomes
- Led consolidation of outsourced manufacturing to in-house operations, streamlining processes
- Oversaw cost management for Gillette Vector Plus, Gillette Presto, Gillette Mach 3 Razors, and Duracell batteries, ensuring budget adherence
Executive (Manufacturing)
Philips Electronics (India) Ltd.
01.2006 - 04.2008
- Directed production division for CFL (Composite Fluorescent Lamps), enhancing operational effectiveness and product quality
- Coordinated relocation, installation, and commissioning of CFL lines from Philips Yeming China, ensuring seamless transition and minimal downtime
- Achieved annual cost savings of $75k on one production line through Six Sigma Green Belt project, successfully implementing solutions across 13 additional lines
Assistant Manager (Manufacturing)
Anand Automotives (India) Ltd.
07.2004 - 01.2006
- Led production division for automotive air conditioners at Behr India Ltd and flange bearings at Gabriel India Ltd, overseeing operations to meet quality and delivery standards.
- Planned and controlled production schedules at Behr India and Gabriel India to align with demand forecasts and operational capacities.
- Assisted in relocation, installation, and commissioning of Dana-GVB flange line from Atlanta, USA to Gabriel India Ltd, ensuring seamless integration into existing operations.
Graduate Engineering Trainee
Pal Engineering Works & Consultants
01.2003 - 01.2004
- Executed onsite projects as a project engineer for the installation and commissioning of air and water pollution control devices.
- Assisted engineers in designing and drafting project specifications.
- Conducted site inspections to ensure compliance with engineering standards.
- Collaborated with team members on project planning and execution.
Education
Bachelor’s - mechanical engineering
Thapar University
PatialaSkills
- Manufacturing strategy
- Product development
- Supply chain strategy
- Logistics planning
- Cost reduction
- Profit maximization
- Quality management
- Quality assurance leadership
- Process improvement
- Continuous improvement
- Six Sigma methodologies
- Kaizen methodologies
- Manufacturing process innovation
- Manufacturing variance analysis
- Compliance management
- Industrial planning
- Industrial site improvement
- Greenfield operations
- Capex and opex
- PPAP auditing
- Supplier partnership
- Plant management
- Project management
- Minitab analysis
Websites
Working Permission
Permanent, Work Permit with L1-A visa
Languages
Complete Fluency, Intermediate Proficiency, Beginner’s Level, Complete Fluency, Complete Fluency, Beginner’s Level
Countries Worked
- USA, 2+ years
- Vietnam, 11 years
- India, 7 years
- Italy, 3 years
- China, Some projects
- Russia, Some projects
Personal Information
- Citizenship: Indian
- Date of Birth: 04/19/81
- Marital Status: Married
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Hindi
Native/ Bilingual
Punjabi
Native/ Bilingual
Marathi
Limited
Italian
Limited
Vietnamese
Elementary
Timeline
Director of Operations
Wahl Clipper Corporation
04.2024 - Current
Production & Engineering Director
Ariston Group
02.2010 - 08.2019
Value Stream Manager (Manufacturing)
Procter & Gamble
04.2008 - 02.2010
Executive (Manufacturing)
Philips Electronics (India) Ltd.
01.2006 - 04.2008
Assistant Manager (Manufacturing)
Anand Automotives (India) Ltd.
07.2004 - 01.2006
Graduate Engineering Trainee
Pal Engineering Works & Consultants
01.2003 - 01.2004
Bachelor’s - mechanical engineering
Thapar University