Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, India, August 2026 — Nitesh Kumar Nirala has been elevated to Joint Executive President and Unit Head at UltraTech Cement. In his expanded leadership role, he will oversee manufacturing excellence, operational performance, sustainability initiatives, and strategic plant operations, while driving productivity, cost optimization, and business growth across the company’s cement manufacturing operations.
A seasoned manufacturing and operations leader with over two decades of experience across the cement, steel, mining, and metals industries, Nitesh brings extensive expertise in plant management, business excellence, process optimization, mining operations, energy efficiency, and large-scale industrial transformation. His elevation reflects UltraTech Cement’s confidence in his ability to lead high-performing manufacturing operations and strengthen operational excellence across its facilities.
At UltraTech Cement, Nitesh Kumar Nirala has been associated for over two years, steadily progressing through leadership roles. Prior to his elevation as Joint Executive President and Unit Head, he served as Unit Head & Joint President, where he led the Baga Cement Works in Himachal Pradesh. During this tenure, the plant secured the second position across UltraTech’s plant rankings, achieved the prestigious 5-Star Rating Award from the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), Ministry of Mines, Government of India, reduced variable costs through innovative operational practices, improved energy efficiency by achieving record-low heat and power consumption, strengthened environmental compliance through long-term regulatory approvals, enhanced workforce diversity, and successfully concluded long-term industrial settlements.
Before joining UltraTech Cement, he spent nearly three years with ESL Steel Limited (Vedanta ESL Steels Ltd.) as Director – Iron, Power & Business Excellence. He was responsible for leading the Iron and Power Strategic Business Unit, overseeing blast furnaces, sinter plants, coke ovens, oxygen plants, and power generation facilities. During his tenure, he drove significant production improvements, process stabilization, capacity enhancement, operational debottlenecking, cost optimization initiatives, and technology-led operational transformation across the integrated steel manufacturing business.
Earlier, Nitesh built an extensive career of nearly seventeen years with Vedanta | Sesa Goa Iron Ore, where he held several senior leadership positions, including Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Pig Iron Plant and Head – Pig Iron Plant. During this long tenure, he successfully commissioned major manufacturing facilities, led blast furnace modernization initiatives, introduced innovative production technologies, developed multiple new pig iron grades, drove product innovation, secured recognition for operational excellence, and played a significant role in improving manufacturing efficiency, product quality, and business performance across the organization.
Throughout his career, Nitesh Kumar Nirala has consistently demonstrated strong leadership in industrial operations, manufacturing transformation, business excellence, and sustainable operational practices, making him well-positioned to lead UltraTech Cement’s next phase of operational growth.
About UltraTech Cement
UltraTech Cement Ltd. is India’s largest manufacturer of grey cement, Ready Mix Concrete (RMC), and white cement, and one of the world’s leading cement producers. The company is renowned for delivering innovative, reliable, and sustainable building solutions that support infrastructure development across India and international markets. With a strong focus on operational excellence, technological innovation, environmental sustainability, and manufacturing leadership, UltraTech Cement continues to play a pivotal role in building modern infrastructure while setting new benchmarks for quality and efficiency in the cement industry.
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