Plant/Factory Manager – Commissioning

Job Summary

A leading multinational manufacturing organization is seeking an experienced, visionary, and results-drivenFactory Director – Commissioning & Manufacturing Operationsto lead the commissioning, operational readiness, start-up, stabilization, and commercial operation of a new large-scale manufacturing facility in Johor, Malaysia.

This strategic leadership role will play a critical part in driving commissioning activities, establishing manufacturing systems, building operational capabilities, and ensuring a successful transition into commercial operations.

The successful candidate will provide overall leadership across all manufacturing functions, including Production, Engineering, Maintenance, Utilities, Quality Assurance & Quality Control (QA/QC), Food Safety, Warehouse, Environmental Health & Safety (EHS), and Operational Excellence.

This position is ideal for an experienced manufacturing leader with proven success in greenfield projects, plant commissioning, operational readiness, and large-scale manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities

Plant Commissioning, Start-Up & Operational Readiness

• Lead all plant commissioning, start-up, and operational readiness activities.

• Manage equipment validation, testing, and performance verification activities.

• Coordinate closely with project teams, consultants, contractors, OEM suppliers, and engineering partners.

• Ensure smooth transition from project execution into commercial manufacturing operations.

• Drive plant stabilization and achievement of production ramp-up targets.

• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve operational challenges during commissioning and start-up phases.

• Establish manufacturing systems, procedures, and operational standards prior to commercial production.

• Deliver operational readiness milestones, performance guarantees, and manufacturing KPIs.

Factory Operations & Manufacturing Leadership

• Provide overall leadership and direction for all manufacturing operations.

• Oversee day-to-day activities across Production, Engineering, Maintenance, Utilities, Warehouse, QA/QC, and EHS functions.

• Establish operational strategies to achieve business objectives and production targets.

• Drive operational excellence, productivity improvement, and cost optimization initiatives.

• Ensure efficient utilization of manpower, equipment, facilities, and resources.

• Develop and monitor key operational performance indicators (KPIs).

• Build a high-performance culture focused on safety, quality, efficiency, and continuous improvement.

Production Management

• Oversee production planning, scheduling, and execution activities.

• Ensure production targets, quality standards, and customer requirements are consistently achieved.

• Improve manufacturing efficiency, productivity, and process performance.

• Lead initiatives to improve yield, reduce waste, and optimize manufacturing costs.

• Implement manufacturing best practices and continuous improvement programs.

• Ensure optimal inventory management of raw materials, packaging materials, and finished goods.

Engineering, Maintenance & Utilities Management

• Lead engineering, maintenance, reliability, and utilities functions.

• Establish and maintain effective preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs.

• Optimize equipment reliability, plant availability, and operational uptime.

• Manage utilities including boilers, steam systems, compressed air, chilled water, water treatment systems, wastewater treatment facilities, and other process support utilities.

• Lead root cause investigations and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.

• Drive reliability excellence and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) initiatives.

• Ensure long-term asset integrity and equipment performance.

Quality Assurance, Quality Control & Food Safety

• Ensure compliance with all quality, food safety, customer, and regulatory requirements.

• Maintain compliance with:

  • GMP

  • HACCP

  • Halal Standards

  • Food Safety Management Systems

  • FSSC 22000 / ISO Standards

  • Customer and regulatory requirements

• Promote and strengthen food safety and quality culture across the organization.

• Support customer, certification, regulatory, and internal audits.

• Lead continuous quality improvement initiatives.