Vice President of Operations

An exceptional opportunity awaits for an accomplished operations leader to step into a pivotal executive role as Vice President of Operations, serving as the Site Lead for a major manufacturing and production hub in Penang, Malaysia. This position is designed for someone who thrives on building clarity and structure within complex, multi-site environments, and who excels at fostering strong partnerships across all levels of an organisation.

What you'll do:

As Vice President of Operations in Penang, you will oversee the integration of global strategies across three manufacturing plants, ensuring alignment with organisational goals. Collaborating closely with plant leaders and global teams, you’ll address escalations, drive continuous improvement, and foster a culture of collaboration. You’ll also engage with external partners to shape future workforce capabilities while maintaining operational excellence. Success requires strategic vision, problem-solving skills, and the ability to inspire trust among diverse stakeholders.

• Partner closely with the central Operations Centre of Excellence to convert strategic objectives into detailed plant-level action plans that are both practical and impactful.
• Ensure consistent adoption of global standards, operational expectations, and best practices across multiple manufacturing sites to maintain high levels of quality and efficiency.
• Act as the executive escalation point for operational issues raised by plant leadership teams, coordinating cross-functional responses to deliver timely and sustainable solutions.
• Build robust relationships with Plant Managers, Operations Support teams, Technical Education leaders, and other cross-functional stakeholders to foster a culture of collaboration and shared success.
• Influence and collaborate effectively with individuals from varied backgrounds, adapting your approach to suit different personalities, leadership styles, and matrix structures within the organisation.
• Assess operational readiness, identify risks or constraints across sites, and provide insightful recommendations to senior leadership to ensure continuity and delivery of business objectives.
• Represent the organisation externally by engaging with educational institutions, technical training partners, and talent development bodies to champion initiatives that strengthen future workforce capabilities.
• Drive ongoing improvements in operational processes by supporting the rollout of new tools, systems, and best practices that enhance productivity and standardisation across all locations.
• Guide rapid decision-making during escalations or crises by leveraging your experience in managing complex situations under pressure while always maintaining professionalism.

What you bring:

To excel as Vice President of Operations, you’ll bring extensive senior leadership experience in manufacturing or similar sectors, with a proven ability to lead large teams and navigate complex, matrixed organisations. Your calm, decisive approach ensures effective crisis management, while your clear and credible communication inspires trust during uncertainty. Strong relationship-building skills and emotional intelligence enable you to connect authentically with stakeholders at all levels.

• Extensive senior leadership experience within operations or manufacturing environments where you have demonstrated your ability to guide large teams through periods of change.
• A proven track record leading within multisite or matrixed organisations where you have successfully navigated complex structures to achieve alignment on key priorities.
• Exceptional capability in managing escalations—resolving crises efficiently while guiding short-term decisions that protect long-term interests.
• Outstanding stakeholder influence skills combined with relationship management expertise that enables you to connect authentically with colleagues at all levels.
• Superior communication abilities marked by clarity, credibility, and executive presence when interacting with both internal teams and external partners.
• Adeptness at navigating complex personalities as well as high-pressure environments using empathy, professionalism, and emotional intelligence.
• Experience collaborating with technical education providers or talent development bodies is highly valued though not essential; medical device manufacturing experience is an added advantage.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out for its unwavering commitment to operational excellence paired with a deeply supportive leadership culture. A spirit of inclusivity permeates every aspect of the workplace: team members are encouraged to share ideas openly while being supported by approachable leaders who value each individual’s contribution. With access to cutting-edge facilities in Penang’s thriving industrial landscape, the company provides an environment where ambitious professionals can truly thrive while making a lasting impact on both current operations and future workforce development.

What's next:

If you are ready to take on an influential executive role where your expertise can shape the future of manufacturing operations in Penang, this is your chance to make a difference—apply now!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided; we look forward to connecting with talented leaders eager to join this outstanding team.

Do note that we will only be in touch if your application is shortlisted.

Agensi Pekerjaan Robert Walters Sdn Bhd
Business Registration Number : 729828-T
Licence Number : JTKSM 423C