Role Overview
The General Manager – Plant Operations is responsible for the overall leadership, performance, and sustainability of the Kluang plant. This role has end-to-end accountability for all plant functions, including manufacturing, engineering, maintenance, supply chain, quality, EHS, facilities, and workforce management.
The GM will ensure the plant operates safely, efficiently, cost-effectively, and in alignment with company objectives, while driving operational excellence, automation, and continuous improvement across all site operations.
Key Responsibilities
Overall Plant Operations Leadership
- Provide full accountability for plant operations performance, covering safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity.
- Lead and integrate all site functions to ensure smooth, efficient, and disciplined operations.
- Translate business strategy into effective plant-level execution plans.
Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Site Operations
- Oversee manufacturing operations, production planning, engineering, maintenance, warehousing, and logistics.
- Ensure optimal capacity utilisation, production stability, and on-time delivery to customers.
- Align supply chain, inventory, and logistics activities with production and business requirements.
Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
- Drive Lean manufacturing, process improvement, cost reduction, and waste elimination across the entire plant.
- Establish KPI-driven performance management systems and daily/weekly operational reviews.
- Identify opportunities for automation, digitisation, and system-driven improvements in collaboration with IT and Engineering.
Safety, Quality & Compliance
- Take ownership of EHS performance, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and company policies.
- Build and sustain a strong safety culture with zero tolerance for unsafe practices.
- Ensure consistent product quality and compliance with customer, regulatory, and certification requirements (e.g. ISO).
Engineering, Maintenance & Facilities
- Oversee plant engineering, maintenance, utilities, and facilities management.
- Ensure equipment reliability, preventive maintenance discipline, and minimal unplanned downtime.
- Lead capital expenditure projects, capacity expansion, and site infrastructure improvements.
People Leadership & Industrial Relations
- Lead, coach, and develop the plant leadership team and workforce.
- Drive accountability, discipline, engagement, and performance management across all levels.
- Oversee manpower planning, skills development, succession planning, and industrial relations matters.
Financial & Business Management
- Manage plant operating budgets and cost performance in line with targets.
- Drive cost optimisation initiatives across operations without compromising safety or quality.
- Provide clear performance reporting, risk assessments, and improvement plans to senior management.
Job Requirements
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a related discipline.
- Minimum 12–15 years of experience in plant or operations leadership, with significant experience managing a full manufacturing site.
- Experience in process manufacturing or industrial environments (e.g. ceramics, building materials, heavy manufacturing, FMCG, chemicals) is strongly preferred.
Functional & Leadership Competencies
- Proven experience managing multi-functional plant operations beyond manufacturing alone.
- Strong understanding of:
- End-to-end plant operations
- Safety, quality, and compliance management
- Lean / continuous improvement
- Cost control and operational financials
- Automation and process optimisation
- Comfortable leading change, stabilising operations, and improving performance.
Personal Attributes
- Strong leadership presence with a hands-on, site-based management style.
- Decisive, resilient, and results-oriented.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Willing to be fully based in Kluang and deeply involved in day-to-day plant operations.
