India Inc wants AI talent to transform manufacturing space

Bengaluru: AI is moving into the heart of manufacturing, from predictive maintenance to smarter supply chains, as companies look for leaders who can make the technology work across plants, products and entire businesses.

Manufacturing firms are stepping up the search for executives who can link algorithms to output, quality and costs, with Honeywell Technologies, RPG Group and ITC among those building such capabilities.

Companies want leaders who understand machine learning, generative AI, data architecture and automation, as well as manufacturing processes and plant operations, according to executive search firms.



"In manufacturing, there is a strong operational layer around smart factories, predictive maintenance, quality, computer vision, robotics, supply chain and energy optimisation," said Agamjeet Dang, CEO of Executive Access. "We are seeing increased activity in the automotive, auto components and textiles sectors, but AI and digital leadership is also required across diversified industrial groups, chemicals and agri-inputs, pharmaceuticals, tyres and consumer manufacturing."

Companies are also tapping overseas talent, with stronger interest in Indian-origin executives than in traditional foreign expats. The US is the leading hunting ground, followed by the UK and Europe, Dang said.

Employers are weighing dedicated group-level AI chiefs against assigning the brief to a chief information officer, chief digital officer or transformation head. Roles range from AI and analytics leadership to heads of AI centres of excellence and operational specialists working on predictive maintenance, computer vision, robotics, quality, supply chains and energy optimisation.

RPG Group is looking for people who combine expertise in AI, data science and digital technologies with an understanding of manufacturing processes, plant operations, quality systems, supply chains and industrial automation.


"We have seen 20% growth in our digital talent base across the group over the last two years," said Amol Deshpande, head of digital and innovation at RPG Group. "Most of our group companies like CEAT, Zensar, KEC and RPG Life Sciences have been integrating digital capabilities including AI across our businesses, particularly in manufacturing, engineering, supply chain and industrial operations."

Honeywell Technologies India is hiring across AI and machine-learning architecture, generative and agentic AI, data engineering and data science. Required skills include Python, Spark, machine learning operations, large language model operations and model governance.

"AI is central to our shift from automation to autonomy, both in our products and in how we operate internally," said Arppna Mehra, vice president of human resources at Honeywell Technologies India.

Pay reflects the competition for leaders who can pair technical depth with business judgement. Compensation at larger groups can reach ₹7-8 crore annually, before retention or long-term incentives, Dang said.

Much of the demand is coming from the automotive sector, where companies are shifting from predominantly mechanical models to software-led products and expanding globally, said Charul Madan, partner at Heidrick & Struggles India.

“Beyond automotive, some of the strongest demand for frontier technology capabilities is emerging in defence, where technology-first and software-first thinking is driving investment in digital infrastructure; AI infrastructure companies operating at the intersection of industrial and technology; and large EMS (electronics manufacturing services) players and ODMs (original design manufacturers), who are building dedicated AI teams and capabilities,” Madan said.

Companies are also developing talent internally. ITC said it is building AI capabilities among business leaders through programmes such as its Analytics Accelerator, while using large language models and agent training to rethink workflows and improve decision-making.