General Manager Manufacturing

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and driven
General Manager, Manufacturing
to establish and lead our client's new manufacturing operations in
Penang, Malaysia
. This role will oversee the setup of operations, supply chain, and scaling of local production capabilities in collaboration with their regional and China-based teams.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned manufacturing leader with strong experience in
New Product Introduction (NPI)
,
supply chain management
, and
contract manufacturing (CM)
environments. This position requires a hands-on leader who thrives in a
startup-like, high-growth
environment and can build manufacturing excellence from the ground up. He or she must have experience in either automation, semiconductor or any similar high tech manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Manufacturing Setup and Operations

• Lead the
  setup and launch
  of manufacturing operations in Penang, beginning with contract manufacturing and transitioning toward in-house production.
• Drive
  product transfer
  activities from existing manufacturing sites, ensuring quality, yield, and schedule compliance.
• Establish
  standard operating procedures (SOPs)
  , production workflows, and quality management systems to meet corporate and regulatory requirements.
• Work closely with regional and R&D teams to ensure smooth NPI handover and product readiness for mass production.

2. Team Leadership

• Hire, develop, and manage the
  local manufacturing and engineering team
  in Penang.
• Build a
  strong leadership culture
  emphasizing accountability, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Mentor local staff to develop future leadership capabilities within the Malaysia operation.

3. Supply Chain and Vendor Management

• Collaborate with corporate teams to identify, qualify, and manage
  local suppliers and partners
  .
• Optimise supply chain efficiency, lead times, and cost performance while maintaining quality standards.
• Oversee material planning, procurement strategy, and vendor relationships in Malaysia.

4. Operational Excellence and Performance

• Define and track
  key performance indicators (KPIs)
  related to manufacturing yield, cost, delivery, and quality.
• Drive continuous improvement through Lean manufacturing, process automation, and data-driven decision-making.
• Ensure full compliance with
  EHS
  ,
  ISO
  , and local regulatory standards.

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with R&D, engineering, and supply chain teams across regions to support new product introduction and design-for-manufacturability initiatives.
• Serve as the local point of contact for senior leadership on plant performance, capacity planning, and project execution.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree or higher in
  Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, or related field
  .
• Minimum
  15 years of manufacturing experience
  , with at least
  5 years in a senior leadership role
  .
• Proven track record in
  setting up or scaling new manufacturing facilities
  .
• Strong experience in
  contract manufacturing management
  ,
  NPI
  , and
  supply chain establishment
  .
• Background in
  semiconductor, advanced electronics, or precision manufacturing
  preferred; experience in Medtech or automation industries is a plus.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluent in English; proficiency in Mandarin is an advantage.

Personal Attributes

• Results-driven, hands-on leader comfortable in a
  fast-paced, small-factory environment
  .
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to build teams and processes from scratch.
• Collaborative and culturally adaptable, with cross-border working experience.

Interested applicants please share your resume with current and expected salary. We apologise in advance that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Posting Personnel:

Grace Lee (R

Platform&Co Pte. Ltd.

Co. Registration: N

EA License: 21C0783