Work Preference
Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Work Availability
Accomplishments
Software
Languages
Interests
Timeline
Generic
Ashwani Shukla

Ashwani Shukla

Head Of Manufacturing And Operations Excellence
Nagda

Work Preference

Work Type

Full Time

Location Preference

On-Site

Important To Me

Work-life balance

Summary

Experienced Technical Services Professional with strategic planning and technical oversight . Utilizes expertise in systems management and process improvements to enhance operational efficiency. Knowledge of leading cross-functional teams and implementing innovative solutions for sustained success.

Established large Chemical Production plants to its full capacity.

Overview

30
30
years of professional experience
4
4
Certificates

Work History

Head of Technical Services

Grasim Industries- Aditya Birla Group
Nagda, India
04.2022 - Current
  • Led Operations & Maintenance for two recovery plants producing 300 TPD Sodium Sulphate, ensuring high efficiency, reliability, and compliance.
  • Managed a workforce of 225+ personnel (25 staff, 100 permanent, 100 contract workmen), driving productivity, discipline, and safety culture.
  • Oversaw handling and process optimization of key chemicals including Caustic Soda, Sulphuric Acid, and Zinc Sulphate, improving operational efficiency and reducing cost of production (COP).
  • Successfully optimized consumption ratios, leading to significant reduction in raw material cost and process losses.
  • Acted as the primary interface for customer complaints, resolving quality issues related to Sodium Sulphate and Viscose Staple Fibre, improving customer satisfaction.
  • Implemented Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) and Process Safety Management (PSM) systems, strengthening plant safety performance and reducing incidents.
  • Introduced the “BOSSTOMER” concept, enhancing customer engagement and strengthening long-term relationships.
  • Deployed TPM, 5S, Kaizen, JIT, and Quality Circles, resulting in continuous improvement, waste reduction, and operational excellence.
  • Achieved capacity enhancement of 10 TPD through debottlenecking, generating savings of approximately ₹3.5 Crores without CAPEX investment.
  • Led a comprehensive water and effluent management study, mitigating operational risks and improving sustainability.
  • Successfully commissioned a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) plant at SFD, Nagda, with an environmental impact of 9,000 m³/day effluent treatment.
  • Spearheaded new product development (FR & SCF) using sodium silicate and advanced surfactants, expanding product portfolio.
  • Delivered energy optimization under the “Energy Saving” project, achieved savings of 40 TPD steam and 2,200 kWh/day power.
  • Managed erection and commissioning of key process equipment including:
    2 Multi-Stage Flash (MSF) Evaporators
    1 Drum Dryer
    1 Crystallizer for salt drying

Head of WTP/ETP/STP

Birla Cellulosic
Kosamba, India
12.2019 - 03.2022
  • Managed Water Treatment Plant (WTP) operations of 18,000 m³/day capacity, ensuring reliable supply of:
    12,000 m³/day Soft Water
    3,000 m³/day DM Water
    3,000 m³/day Hard Water
  • Oversaw three water reservoirs with a combined storage capacity of ~1 million m³, ensuring uninterrupted water availability.
  • Operated and maintained Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) handling 12,000 m³/day, ensuring compliance with environmental norms.
  • Managed disposal and treatment of ~100 TPD cellulosic waste and inorganic sludge, optimizing handling and reducing environmental impact.
  • Led erection and commissioning of a 15,000 m³ biological reactor, enhancing treatment efficiency and plant capacity.
  • Established three Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants for wastewater recycling, improving sustainability and reducing fresh water dependency.
  • Successfully commissioned Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) for residential colony operations.
  • Designed and implemented a robust hard water supply system for the colony, ensuring uninterrupted supply even during COVID-19 disruptions.
  • Acted as key liaison with regulatory authorities including GPCB and Gujarat Irrigation Department, ensuring statutory compliance and smooth operations.
  • Successfully managed and mitigated prolonged water crisis for 3 consecutive years in Kosamba, ensuring business continuity.

Head of Production Department

Birla Cellulosic
Kosamba, India
12.1996 - 11.2019
  • Contributed to one Greenfield and one Brownfield project for Viscose Staple Fibre plants (175 TPD each), supporting end-to-end execution.
  • Led erection and commissioning of critical process equipment including reactors, dryers, and chillers, ensuring timely project completion and operational readiness.
  • Progressed from Trainee Engineer to Head of Production, demonstrating consistent high performance, leadership, and technical expertise.
  • Established and stabilized key process areas including Viscose (De-polymerization) and Filtration sections, improving process reliability and product quality.
  • Achieved significant steam and power savings through optimization of chilled water load and utility systems.
  • Enhanced plant productivity from 350 TPD to 400 TPD without additional CAPEX, through process optimization and de-bottlenecking.
  • Implemented TPM and TQM practices, driving continuous improvement, operational excellence, and team engagement.
  • Awarded Best Project Prize by QCFI Circle, Vadodara for excellence in quality and process improvement initiatives.
  • Developed strong technical expertise in slurry handling, drum operations, filtration systems, and xanthation process within VSF manufacturing.

Process Engineer

Jk Lakshmi Cement
Sirohi, India
04.1996 - 11.1996
  • Worked in Brown field Cement Project 3000 TPD Clinker. Provided technical support for troubleshooting equipment issues, maintaining plant reliability and minimizing operational disruptions.
  • Developed documentation, diagrams, and specifications to meet project requirements and regulatory standards.

Education

MBA - Operations Management

Indian Institute of Modern Management
Pune
06-2005

BE Chemical Engineering -

Kanpur University
Kanpur
06-1996

Skills

Team leadership

Process improvement

Behavior Based Safety Observation

Surfactants

Business process improvement

New Product Development

Certification

Google Project Management

Work Availability

monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Accomplishments

Achieved saving of Rs 3.5 Crs per year by increasing the productivity of VSF without any CAPEX.

Implemented 4 End to End SAP PS Projects.

Software

SAP PS

MS Office

Languages

English
Advanced (C1)
Hindi
Advanced (C1)
Gujarati
Intermediate (B1)

Interests

Playing Cricket

Travelling

Timeline

Sustainability for Business: ESG Fundamentals

02-2026

Google Project Management

12-2025

Process Safety and Risk Analysis

09-2024

Head of Technical Services

Grasim Industries- Aditya Birla Group
04.2022 - Current

Head of WTP/ETP/STP

Birla Cellulosic
12.2019 - 03.2022

SAP Project system

10-2008

Head of Production Department

Birla Cellulosic
12.1996 - 11.2019

Process Engineer

Jk Lakshmi Cement
04.1996 - 11.1996

BE Chemical Engineering -

Kanpur University

MBA - Operations Management

Indian Institute of Modern Management
Ashwani ShuklaHead Of Manufacturing And Operations Excellence