Operations Director (Local Vietnamese Only)

Operations Director Salary: Competitive and based on experience Location: Ho Chi Minh Keywords: collaborative, strategic, digital transformation, multi-site operations, mentoring, international partnerships, succession planning, continuous improvement, data-driven, leadership

A prominent manufacturing organisation in Ho Chi Minh City is seeking an Operations Director to oversee its entire operations across multiple facilities. This critical leadership role offers the opportunity to design and implement world-class operational strategies, drive digital transformation initiatives, and represent the company in global technical collaborations. You will play a key role in developing future leaders, ensuring operational excellence, and driving the organisation’s growth into new markets. The company values integrity, collaboration, and innovation while offering flexible working arrangements, frequent travel opportunities, and a supportive leadership environment. If you are passionate about transforming manufacturing through technology and people development, this is your chance to make a significant impact.

Key Responsibilities:

As the Operations Director, you will lead all aspects of multi-site manufacturing operations. Your responsibilities will include setting ambitious KPIs for factory directors and department heads while monitoring performance metrics such as OEE and FPY. You will develop long-term strategies aligned with corporate goals—proposing capital investments for expansion or new equipment—and evaluate potential mergers or acquisitions from an operational perspective.

Digital transformation will be at the core of your role: you’ll sponsor ERP rollouts (e.g., SAP HANA), implement real-time analytics dashboards (e.g., Power BI), and guide automation projects to enhance efficiency. You will also manage international partnerships by negotiating contracts with global machinery suppliers and staying ahead of industry trends through participation in trade fairs.

Talent development is another critical focus: you’ll mentor senior leaders through structured succession planning and training programs while fostering a culture of engagement across all levels of the organisation. Financial oversight includes approving OPEX within limits, recommending CAPEX investments to senior management, analysing P&L variances monthly, collaborating with Finance teams on forecasts, and driving cost-saving initiatives annually. Compliance responsibilities involve maintaining ISO certifications through rigorous audits and leading investigations into major safety incidents. Cross-functional collaboration ensures alignment between sales forecasts, delivery schedules, compliance requirements, workforce planning needs—and you’ll regularly participate in Board meetings to keep stakeholders informed.

What You'll Do:

• Establish and cascade operational KPIs to Factory Directors and Managers; monitor metrics like OEE, FPY, Plan Attainment, Cost per Tonne; chair performance review meetings; initiate corrective actions when targets deviate significantly.
• Develop a 3–5 year operational strategy aligned with corporate objectives; propose annual CAPEX plans; plan production capacity based on demand forecasts; assess M&A opportunities from an operational standpoint.
• Sponsor ERP implementations (e.g., SAP HANA) for production modules; lead Power BI dashboard rollouts for real-time KPI tracking; approve automation projects across sites; evaluate emerging technologies such as IoT devices and MES systems.
• Represent the organisation in negotiations with international machinery suppliers (Europe/Asia); secure favourable contract terms for CAPEX investments; attend global trade fairs to track technological advancements.
• Mentor senior leaders including Factory Directors and Department Heads; design succession plans for key positions; approve training programs; directly participate in performance evaluations and promotions.
• Oversee financial performance by approving OPEX transactions within authority limits; recommend CAPEX investments; monitor P&L statements; analyse budget variances; collaborate with Finance on forecasts; lead cost-saving initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with ISO standards (9001/14001/45001); sponsor recertification audits; lead investigations into major safety incidents; liaise with regulatory authorities during critical events.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales on demand forecasting and delivery schedules; work closely with QA on compliance matters; partner with Finance on budgeting/CAPEX evaluation; participate in Board of Management meetings.

What You Bring:

To excel in this role, you should have extensive experience managing large-scale manufacturing operations across multiple sites. A strong background in continuous manufacturing processes is essential. You should also have demonstrated success leading digital transformation initiatives involving ERP systems like SAP HANA or similar platforms alongside automation projects that improved efficiency. Experience negotiating complex contracts with international suppliers is crucial, as is expertise in managing compliance audits under ISO standards. Fluency in Vietnamese and English is required for effective communication at both local and international levels.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science or related fields is required.
• Minimum 15 years’ experience in manufacturing operations with at least 5 years at Director/VP level overseeing multi-site facilities.
• Proven track record in continuous manufacturing industries such as synthetic fibres or extrusion processes.
• Demonstrated success leading digital transformation projects including ERP implementation (e.g., SAP HANA) or automation initiatives.
• Experience negotiating international machinery contracts (Europe/Asia) and managing compliance audits (ISO 9001/14001/45001).
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or ISO Lead Auditor certification is mandatory.
• Business proficiency in Vietnamese and English (negotiation level); additional fluency in German/Italian/Mandarin is advantageous.
• Advanced skills using Office 365 suite plus ERP platforms (SAP/Oracle), Power BI analytics tools and MES systems.
• Strategic thinking combined with high integrity—able to balance quality/cost/safety at executive level while maintaining transparency with senior management.
• Exceptional mentoring abilities—capable of coaching senior leaders towards succession readiness while championing learning across teams.

Why Join Us?

This organisation stands out for its commitment to operational excellence through continuous improvement initiatives and digital innovation. Employees benefit from flexible working arrangements that include standard administrative hours (8:00–17:00 Monday–Friday) along with flexibility for urgent matters or international travel requirements. The workplace offers a dynamic mix of office headquarters and hands-on exposure to advanced production environments equipped with cutting-edge technologies. Safety is prioritised through strict protocols whenever visiting shop floors. The leadership culture emphasises integrity, discipline, resilience, empathy, knowledge-sharing, and teamwork—providing robust support networks for personal growth and career advancement during generational transitions within the executive ranks. Frequent travel opportunities allow exposure to both domestic sites and international partners while keeping pace with global industry developments.

Next Steps:

If you are ready to shape the future of world-class manufacturing operations through strategic vision, digital innovation, and talent development—apply now!

Click the link provided to submit your application today!

Due to the high volume of applications we are experiencing, our team will only be in touch with you if your application is shortlisted.