General Manager (Confidential)

A leading multinational in the food manufacturing sector is seeking a General Manager to spearhead its Vietnam operations. This pivotal role offers you the opportunity to shape the future of a well-established business, working closely with regional and global leaders to set ambitious long-term goals and drive sustainable growth. You will be at the forefront of market expansion, innovation, and operational excellence, guiding a talented team across sales, marketing, product development, digital transformation, and supply chain functions.

What you'll do:

As General Manager, you will play a central role in shaping both the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of a thriving business. Your remit will span everything from setting visionary goals alongside regional leadership to executing detailed plans that drive growth across multiple channels. You will collaborate closely with internal teams: sales, marketing, product development, digital transformation and external partners to ensure seamless execution of go-to-market strategies. Your ability to build lasting relationships with distributors and key accounts will be crucial in expanding market presence. In addition to championing operational improvements through technology adoption and process optimisation initiatives like SMART factory projects, you will also oversee financial stewardship ensuring budgets are met while identifying areas for cost savings or investment. A significant part of your success will come from your commitment to nurturing talent: coaching direct reports on leadership behaviours aligned with company values; fostering an inclusive environment; supporting professional growth; and ensuring robust succession planning. By leveraging data-driven insights from regular reporting cycles you’ll continuously refine strategies for optimal performance all while upholding compliance standards and ethical practices throughout every aspect of the operation.

• Collaborate with regional presidents and steering teams to establish long-range goals, strategies, plans, and policies that align with the company’s vision for 2030.
• Drive business development initiatives including new geographical expansions, launching new businesses, and introducing innovative platforms into emerging markets.
• Guide local steering teams and functional leads in developing go-to-market strategies that prioritise demand creation activities to achieve ambitious business targets.
• Build and nurture relationships with key external stakeholders such as distributors, key accounts, government officials, union leaders, and industry influencers to enhance brand reputation.
• Oversee the implementation of comprehensive sales strategies aimed at increasing market share while identifying new business opportunities and customer segments.
• Direct marketing efforts by establishing competitive positioning for products, overseeing digital outreach campaigns, trade shows, and ensuring consistent branding across all channels.
• Lead product development initiatives by guiding teams to create high-quality offerings that meet evolving market needs while managing the full lifecycle from concept through commercialisation.
• Champion technology adoption by integrating digital platforms for order management, CRM systems, supply chain optimisation, automation projects, and SMART factory initiatives.
• Manage financial performance by overseeing budgets, revenue forecasts, cost controls, risk management processes, and ensuring robust financial reporting standards are met.
• Foster a positive work culture by mentoring cross-functional teams, implementing succession planning for key roles, conducting regular performance reviews, and reinforcing organisational values.

What you bring:

To excel as General Manager you will bring extensive experience from senior roles within the food sector combining technical know-how with outstanding interpersonal abilities. Your background should include hands-on exposure managing both factory-based operations (production/ supply chain/ logistics) as well as commercial functions (sales/ marketing/ business development), ideally gained within multinational settings where cross-cultural sensitivity was essential. You’ll be adept at navigating complex regulatory environments while remaining attuned to shifting consumer preferences or competitor moves. Your approachability allows you to foster open communication channels across all levels from frontline staff through executive leadership while your analytical mindset ensures decisions are always grounded in robust data analysis. As someone who thrives on collaboration rather than hierarchy alone you’ll empower others through mentorship/coaching programs designed around individual strengths/potential rather than one-size-fits-all solutions. Your fluency in both Vietnamese & English enables seamless engagement with diverse stakeholders locally/internationally while your adaptability ensures resilience during periods of rapid change or uncertainty.

• Over 15 years’ experience within the food industry with deep familiarity of industry trends, regulatory frameworks, market dynamics, and best practices relevant to large-scale manufacturing environments.
• At least 7 years’ proven track record in senior management roles within multinational companies or sizeable enterprises where you have overseen integrated business units encompassing both factory operations and commercial teams.
• Demonstrated expertise in cross-regional or cross-cultural operational management ideally including B2B experience enabling you to navigate complex stakeholder landscapes effectively.
• Comprehensive understanding of end-to-end supply chain processes including procurement management; cost reduction initiatives; efficiency improvements; product quality assurance; safety protocols; inventory control; logistics coordination; supplier relationship management; contract negotiation; production scheduling; distribution channel oversight.
• Exceptional sales & marketing acumen evidenced by having driven significant sales growth or successfully expanded into new markets through tailored strategies targeting diverse customer segments.
• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Business Administration/Marketing/Economics or related field with preference given to candidates holding internationally recognised MBAs or overseas study backgrounds; additional certifications in supply chain/ project/ leadership management considered advantageous.
• Fluency in Vietnamese & English (reading/writing/speaking) is mandatory along with willingness to travel frequently as required by business needs.
• Ability to adapt quickly amidst change pivoting strategies or operations as needed and demonstrate openness towards continuous improvement initiatives driven by feedback loops or market shifts.
• Visionary leadership skills enabling you to inspire teams around shared goals while anticipating future trends that position the brand for ongoing success within competitive landscapes.
• Commitment to ethical leadership principles: maintaining transparency in decision-making processes; promoting trustworthiness among colleagues/stakeholders; ensuring compliance with legal/ industry standards at all times.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out as a global leader renowned for its unwavering commitment to quality products and customer satisfaction within the food manufacturing industry. With a rich heritage rooted in family values yet forward-thinking enough to embrace cutting-edge technologies like SMART factories or digital transformation platforms the company offers employees unparalleled opportunities for personal/professional growth via structured training programs knowledge-sharing forums supportive leadership networks generous pension contributions flexible working arrangements inclusive hiring practices transparent career progression pathways robust succession planning frameworks open-door policies around feedback/innovation ideas regular recognition schemes celebrating achievements big/small alike all underpinned by an ethos centred on respect empathy integrity community involvement environmental stewardship social responsibility diversity equity inclusion belongingness wellbeing safety psychological security work-life balance fun camaraderie shared purpose collective pride mutual trust lifelong learning continuous improvement relentless pursuit excellence togetherness above all else!

What's next:

If you are ready to make a meaningful impact at the highest level of food manufacturing leadership in Vietnam and want your next challenge to be both rewarding professionally/personally this is your moment!

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