Managing Director - Cutting Tool

A leading global player in the industrial tooling sector is seeking a highly experienced Managing Director Cutting Tool to spearhead its next phase of business growth in Vietnam. This is an exceptional opportunity for a senior local Vietnamese sales leader with deep expertise in cutting tools, machine tools, or related B2B industrial sectors to step into a full country leadership role. The successful candidate will be entrusted with driving market share expansion, diversifying channels, optimising distributor networks, and developing end-user relationships in a rapidly growing manufacturing landscape. This position offers the chance to shape strategy, lead a talented team, and make a significant impact on both the organisation’s presence and the broader industrial ecosystem in Vietnam. With strong support from global headquarters and a commitment to sustainable growth, this role provides an exciting platform for those ready to move beyond traditional sales leadership into comprehensive business stewardship.

What you'll do:

As Managing Director Cutting Tool you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the organisation’s business in Vietnam. Your day-to-day responsibilities will revolve around crafting forward-thinking strategies that capture emerging opportunities across diverse industrial sectors. You will be at the forefront of driving revenue growth through direct engagement with key accounts and end-users while simultaneously optimising distribution channels for maximum efficiency. By leveraging your technical knowledge of cutting tools alongside your commercial insight into local market dynamics, you will introduce new products that meet evolving customer needs. Success in this role requires building strong partnerships both externally—with customers and distributors—and internally—by nurturing talent within your team. You will also serve as a vital link between local operations and international headquarters to ensure alignment on goals while maintaining rigorous governance standards. This is an influential position where your actions will directly contribute to sustainable business expansion in one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies.

• Lead the overall business operation in Vietnam by setting clear strategic direction aligned with global objectives and ensuring effective execution across all functions.
• Develop and implement robust growth strategies tailored to the unique opportunities within Vietnam’s manufacturing, machining, automotive, electronics, mould & die, aerospace, energy, and other key industrial sectors.
• Drive sales growth by expanding market share in cutting tools and related solutions through proactive end-user engagement and key account penetration initiatives.
• Strengthen the company’s presence in both Solid Tool and Indexable Insert product categories by championing new product introductions and innovative market entry tactics.
• Review and optimise existing distributor and channel structures while identifying and onboarding new distributors, dealers, and industrial partners as needed for expanded reach.
• Enhance channel performance by setting clear targets, managing performance metrics, providing training programmes, and facilitating joint sales activities with partners.
• Build enduring relationships with major manufacturing customers and strategic accounts by leading technical-commercial sales activities that address their production processes and cost-saving requirements.
• Foster a collaborative culture within the local team by coaching, developing talent, promoting internal cooperation among sales, technical support, customer service, and headquarters functions.
• Act as the primary communication bridge between the Vietnam office and global headquarters by delivering regular business reports, sharing market intelligence, competitor updates, forecasts, and risk assessments.
• Ensure strict compliance with company policies as well as local regulations while upholding financial controls and ethical standards throughout all operations.

What you bring:

The ideal candidate for Managing Director Cutting Tool brings extensive experience from senior roles within cutting tool manufacturers or related B2B industries. Your background should reflect not only deep technical proficiency but also substantial commercial exposure—particularly within Vietnam’s vibrant manufacturing sector. You are adept at navigating complex organisational structures typical of multinational environments while excelling at distributor management and key account development. Your fluency in English enables seamless communication across borders; meanwhile your established network opens doors throughout the industry. Beyond hard skills you possess outstanding interpersonal abilities—capable of inspiring teams through coaching as well as collaborating effectively across departments. Your approach combines strategic vision with practical execution: you thrive on analysing market trends yet remain grounded enough to deliver tangible results through hands-on involvement. Above all you demonstrate unwavering integrity which underpins every aspect of your leadership style.

• Minimum 20 years of professional experience within cutting tools, machine tools, industrial tools, precision manufacturing or closely related B2B industrial sectors is essential for this role.
• At least 10 years’ hands-on experience specifically within cutting tools is required along with proven success in sales or marketing roles targeting the Vietnam industrial market.
• Demonstrated track record working for multinational companies where you have managed complex distributor/channel networks as well as developed key accounts at scale.
• Solid technical understanding of cutting tools technology combined with practical knowledge of machining processes or metalworking; ideally supported by a Mechanical Engineering or similar technical qualification.
• Fluent business-level English communication skills are mandatory given frequent interaction with overseas headquarters and international stakeholders.
• Experience launching new products or expanding market share within high-growth environments is highly desirable for candidates aspiring to excel in this position.
• Exposure to both distributor-based models and direct sales approaches will be advantageous when navigating diverse go-to-market strategies across different customer segments.
• A broad network within Vietnam’s manufacturing sector will enable you to quickly establish credibility with industry leaders while accelerating business development efforts.
• Strong negotiation skills coupled with analytical decision-making abilities based on data-driven insights are critical for effective stakeholder management.
• High integrity combined with accountability ensures compliance with corporate governance standards while fostering trust among colleagues and partners.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out as a trusted partner to some of the world’s most advanced manufacturers thanks to its unwavering commitment to quality innovation and customer satisfaction. With decades of expertise supporting clients across automotive electronics aerospace energy mould & die sectors it has built a reputation for delivering reliable solutions tailored precisely to each market’s needs. Employees benefit from being part of an inclusive environment where knowledge-sharing is encouraged continuous learning is supported through training opportunities and achievements are recognised at every level. The company places great emphasis on collaboration—both locally among cross-functional teams as well as globally via close ties with international headquarters—ensuring everyone feels connected empowered and valued regardless of their role or location. For those passionate about making a difference within Vietnam’s fast-evolving industrial landscape this is an unparalleled platform offering scope for personal growth professional fulfilment—and genuine impact on industry progress.

What's next:

If you are ready to take on this transformative leadership challenge we invite you to bring your expertise vision and passion for excellence to this exciting opportunity.

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