Global Director, Smart Manufacturing

Position: Global Director Smart Manufacturing

Location: Guangzhou / Suzhou/ Shanghai / Hong Kong

Passionate about shaping the future of manufacturing & Supply Chain

We are hiring a Global Director of Smart Manufacturing for our client - MNC with over 50 manufacturing sites globally.

This is a high-impact role where you will define the strategic roadmap champion innovation and lead a global team to unlock new levels of efficiency agility and performance across global footprint.

As a key member of our global leadership team you will be responsible for:

• Strategy & Roadmap: Defining and executing a multi-year digital transformation roadmap building a standardized and scalable digital ecosystem for our global operations.
• Technology Championing: Spearheading the global deployment and adoption of advanced technologies including MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) APS (Advanced Planning & Scheduling) IoT RPA (Robotic Process Automation) AI/ML and industrial automation.
• Operational Excellence: Driving culture change by embedding Enterprise Lean Sigma (ELS) continuous improvement and data-driven decision-making at all levels.
• Innovation Leadership: Identifying and guiding strategic manufacturing process innovation programs to unlock new capabilities for both current and future-state platforms.
• Global Leadership: Leading mentoring and developing a high-performing global team of 50 subject matter experts across digital manufacturing supply chain systems and lean excellence.
• Financial Stewardship: Managing a significant annual capital expenditure (CAPEX) budget of US$20MM targeted at manufacturing process improvement and innovation.
• Stakeholder Alignment: Partnering with regional and business leaders to ensure cross-functional alignment standardized processes and unified performance metrics.

What You Bring (Qualifications):

• A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in global manufacturing and supply chain roles with at least 5 years in a senior leadership position directly driving digital transformation.
• A proven track record of leading complex multi-site digital transformation initiatives within a global matrixed organization.
• Deep hands-on expertise in manufacturing and supply chain technologies (e.g. MES ERP SAP APS IoT IIoT SCADA AI/ML).
• Strong foundational knowledge in Lean Manufacturing Six Sigma and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• A strategic mindset with a demonstrated ability to translate a long-term vision into an executable roadmap that delivers measurable business outcomes and ROI.
• Exceptional leadership communication and influencing skills with the ability to engage and align diverse stakeholders across cultures and functions.
• A strong technical background; a degree in Engineering Computer Science or Supply Chain is preferred. An advanced degree (MBA MS) is highly desirable.
• Willingness and flexibility to travel globally as needed.
• Experience in a customized or configure-to-order business is a significant plus.