Creating next-gen leadership in manufacturing

The manufacturing and engineering industries are undergoing a paradigm shift. The world has transitioned into a digitised era, and we at Viraj are creating a balance between human skill and technological advancements. Our manpower varies from a premium management institute to an engineering graduate with niche skills, and then the shopfloor worker who has gained expertise over the years. We at Viraj invest in empowering them with technical, behavioural, and managerial training programs. We help them learn the whole manufacturing process from stainless steel scrap to ingots, billets, and then finally the end products, which could be a bright bar, wire rod, wires, flanges, and fasteners.

Every organization needs leaders who are changemakers. In a manufacturing company, the need of the hour are leaders who can integrate technology-driven industrial transitions, navigate through the real-time challenges of local and socio-political situations, and keep pace with the competition.

Leadership Development at Viraj

At Viraj Profiles Pvt. Limited, automation, consistency, commitment, and deliverance are the key buzzwords. Hence, our focus is on creating next-gen leadership equipped with strategic thinking and the ability to make informed decisions based on local sensibilities, ongoing geo-political situations, and keeping business interests in mind. The core of our leadership development programs focuses on enhancing skills such as strategic planning, critical thinking, and risk management for budding managers, team leaders, and decision-makers.

Viraj invests in programs that equip future leaders with the knowledge and skills to leverage technology and operations. We invite subject matter experts and thought leaders to help us create holistic leadership development programs that help professionals understand the complex business landscape and seamlessly assume leadership roles.

In view of the recent pandemic and the fast-paced, technology-driven era, another focus area for our leadership development programs is change management. This includes upskilling budding leaders in agile practices through workshops and on-the-job development programs, creating an eco-system that helps the leader and the team steer through the VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) world.

Viraj Profiles Pvt. Limited emphasizes a culture of continuous learning and mentorship within its leadership development programs. The process involves providing access to ongoing training, industry conferences, and mentorship opportunities to support leaders in their professional growth.

Continuous Learning and Mentorship

In 2023, we concluded a year-long program which was conducted by Neeraj Kochhar, Managing Director, Viraj Profiles himself, where he mentored young professionals across

operational and managerial roles, training them to elevate their performance for personal and team growth. The program was titled ‘Raise the Bar’, and the results led to an increase in the productivity of individuals and their teams at the floor level.

Manufacturing leaders often need to collaborate across various functions. With sophisticated engineering and automation, manufacturing plants are becoming more integrated, leading to the integration of people’s roles and responsibilities. At Viraj Profiles Pvt. Limited, we understand the context and design leadership programs that foster the training process by ensuring that potential leaders gain a holistic understanding of our entire process, from procuring stainless steel scrap to the final delivery. Cross-functional leadership development programs that involve job rotations or projects across departments such as production, quality control, logistics, and sales are conducted at regular intervals. This helps aspiring and current leaders develop a comprehensive perspective on the entire value chain.

In an Interconnected World, Communication is the Key

Viraj Profiles is a company that makes in India for the world. Our leaders engage with clients from across the globe. In an interconnected world, we believe our next-gen leadership must be able to communicate and lead in a global context. Therefore, we invite trainers and communication experts to conduct sessions that focus on effective leadership and collaborative prowess. Sessions by seasoned facilitators focusing on cultivating collaboration as a core leadership competency are conducted at different levels. Through interactive training sessions, budding leaders are guided in honing interpersonal skills, fostering team cohesion, and harnessing collective intelligence.

A Focused Approach to Develop Senior Leadership

One of the recent programs focusing on developing a senior line of leadership at Viraj was the Chief Operating Officer Program by a premium management institute. This prestigious program equipped potential leaders with the strategic insights and operational acumen required for executive roles. Delivered by industry experts and renowned faculty, the curriculum covered a comprehensive spectrum of topics, ensuring a deep understanding of contemporary business challenges. The program aimed to nurture potential COOs prepared to lead the organization through complexity and drive sustainable growth.

At Viraj, we give prominence to achieving operational excellence with strategic guidance and innovative solutions. We use technology as a counterpart to develop a continuous learning platform that offers a curated set of resources, webinars, and workshops. We continuously work towards providing valuable guidance and insights to the next gen of Virajians for their leadership journey.

The author, Rakesh Chauhan, is Deputy Managing Director of Viraj Profiles Pvt. Ltd., one of the leading manufacturers of stainless steel long products globally with a turnover of over USD 1.5 billion and employer of choice for over 9,000 people.