Senior Director, Manufacturing Operations

Our client is an ambitious and high-growth startup with a compelling vision for the future of high-purity gas and fluid delivery solutions. Positioned at the cutting edge of semiconductor infrastructure, they are currently establishing a world-class manufacturing footprint in Malaysia. As a visionary organization, they are seeking a strategic, hands-on executive to lead the greenfield establishment and rapid scaling of their operations for specialized semiconductor subsystems and precision-engineered fluid delivery components.

The Senior Director of Manufacturing Operations is a critical executive role responsible for the architecture, execution, and optimization of end-to-end manufacturing operations. This leader will ensure that production capabilities achieve world-class status in safety, quality, cost-efficiency, and delivery performance. Operating in an agile startup environment, the successful candidate will bridge deep technical expertise in high-purity fluid delivery with strategic operational leadership to drive industrialization, cleanroom excellence, and global production readiness.

1. Strategic Operations & Scalability

• Greenfield Leadership: Lead the complete establishment of manufacturing infrastructure, from facility layout and system implementation to process definition and team recruitment.

• Operational Strategy: Define and own the roadmap for manufacturing scaling, aligning local operations with global company growth objectives and market demands.

• KPI Ownership: Establish and monitor critical performance metrics, including production output, manufacturing yield, On-Time Delivery (OTD), unit cost, and labor productivity.

• Executive Representation: Serve as the primary manufacturing authority in executive reviews, strategic board discussions, and high-stakes customer or regulatory audits.

2. Production Management & Technical Excellence

• End-to-End Oversight: Manage the full production lifecycle, including incoming material inspection, precision machining, specialized welding, cleanroom assembly, and final testing.

• Workflow Optimization: Implement robust production management systems, utilizing time studies, process mapping, and capacity planning to eliminate bottlenecks.

• High-Purity Standards: Enforce stringent cleanliness protocols throughout the manufacturing chain to ensure compliance with specialized semiconductor requirements.

• Material & Finish Integrity: Oversee compliance for high-grade alloys (e.g., 316L VIM-VAR, Hastelloy) and ensure Electropolish (EP) surface finish requirements meet the standard of $Ra le 10 mu in$.

• Compliance Framework: Guarantee strict adherence to SEMI F19/F57, ASME B31.3, and ISO 9001/14001/45001 standards.

3. Testing, Validation & Quality Leadership

• Validation Infrastructure: Lead the design and deployment of advanced production test systems, including high-pressure validation, Helium leak detection, and functional safety interlocks.

• Zero-Defect Culture: Champion a culture of quality excellence through structured problem-solving methodologies such as 8D, RCCA, FMEA, SPC, and Measurement Systems Analysis (MSA).

• Vendor Excellence: Oversee supplier quality engineering and lead Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) for critical production equipment and infrastructure.

4. New Product Introduction (NPI) & Industrialization

• Technical Bridge: Act as the manufacturing stakeholder for the transition of designs from R&D to high-volume mass production.

• DFM/DFA Leadership: Spearhead Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) reviews to ensure products are optimized for cost and manufacturability.

• Pilot & Ramp-up: Support prototype builds and pilot runs, validating processes to ensure a seamless and predictable production ramp-up.

5. Team Leadership & Organizational Growth

• Talent Acquisition: Build and lead a high-performance, multidisciplinary team including Manufacturing Engineers, Production Supervisors, Quality Specialists, and Cleanroom Technicians.

• Mentorship & Culture: Foster a culture of accountability, agility, and continuous improvement (Kaizen). Implement robust skill matrices and succession plans to develop next-generation technical experts.

• Lean Transformation: Drive the implementation of Lean Manufacturing, 5S, and Six Sigma initiatives to maximize Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and minimize waste.

Education & Experience

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Electrical, or Mechatronics Engineering.

• Experience: 1220 years of progressive experience within the semiconductor equipment or high-purity component manufacturing sector.

• Leadership Track Record: Minimum of 5+ years in a senior manufacturing leadership role (Director or Head of Operations level).

• Specialized Background: Proven expertise in precision assembly (welding, machining, leak testing) and high-specification cleanroom operations (ISO Class 5/6 environments).

Technical & Behavioral Competencies

• Deep technical fluency in SEMI (F32, S2, S8) and ASME standards.

• Hands-on experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and the integration of manufacturing analytics/Industry 4.0 solutions.

• Strategic mindset with the ability to pivot between high-level planning and shop-floor execution.

• Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt certification is highly preferred.

• Strong command of English; ability to communicate complex technical strategies to global stakeholders.