Job Began Listed From: 10 Jan 2010
Job Close On: 10 Jun 2010
Confidential Position Specification
General Manager
- China [Shanghai] -
Client
Our client makes NYSE listed carbon compounds and treated-wood products for the chemical, railroad, aluminum, utility, construction and steel industries around the world. Its Carbon Materials and Chemicals unit makes materials for producing aluminum, polyester resins, plasticizers and wood preservatives. The railroad and utility products unit supplies treated crossties and utility poles and treats wood for vineyard, construction, and other uses.
Job Description
The client is currently searching for a General Manager who will be responsible for directing, driving and leading the business in China.
 
This position is suitable for an individual who is seeking:
  • Excitement and a management challenge in a dynamic, international environment.
  • Opportunities to develop individually in a growing global corporation.
  • Increased scope for decision-making.
  • Cooperative leadership with a highly motivated team.
  • The possibility to bring forward new ideas from conception through to implementation.
  • Diversified international tasks with regular travel.
  • An attractive remuneration package with additional benefits.
Summary of Responsibilities
The General Manager will grow the business profitably by satisfying customers' needs through an export and domestic marketing sales strategy, aligned with plant operability and cost management.  The General Manager must act in the best interest of the Joint Venture at all times, while recognising the interests of the Joint Venture partners in his managing the business.
 
The General Manager is authorised by the Board and is accountable for leading and directing the joint venture to achieve the following goals:
 
Strategic Development
  • Provide leadership, set strategic direction, set standards, provide a safe and healthy work environment, allocate resources, monitor performance and communicate the company values, goals and results.
  • Achieve business results as measured by profit, cash flow, production efficiency and business/capital development.
  • In consultation with the Board develop and deploy a three year business plan
  • Accountable for the performance of the Company as compared to business plan and for corrective action if needed. The incumbent informs the Board of the Company's performance and developments in the industry.
  • Provide effective, timely communication and reporting to the Board of Directors.
Operations Management
  • Work with Sales teams to ensure profitable export markets are developed and maintained. This includes production, product quality and on time delivery.
  • Ensures that the supply of suitable feedstock is maintained to the plant, the feedstock is processed efficiently and the products are of a quality to meet customer's specifications/expectations.
  • Ensure the plant is staffed and operated to meet domestic and export customer requirements of quantity, quality and timely delivery of products
  • Optimum utilisation of people and assets employed to meet contractual requirements at optimum profitability to the Company
  • Maintain operating efficiently through his operational staff. Should problems arise, solutions are formulated and appropriate action implemented. Technical/operation support from the Company should be initiated as and when necessary.
  • Once products are processed, they are stored at the plant for sale or export. If supply and demand situation with products become unbalanced, the incumbent initiates appropriate action with domestic customers and with the company for export.
  • Prepare proposal for plant extensions/upgrades and new projects. He / she consults with the Board on such proposals, and if approved, the incumbent prepares the capital requests for action.
  • Responsible for forward planning of the business. This includes feedstock sourcing, market forecasts of requirement and operational planning three years ahead.
Sales & Marketing
  • Directing and controlling domestic sales and customer supply relationships, meeting the committed export programmes, monitor operations, maintenance and service performance and effectiveness. He is also responsible for leading plant communications, and contingency plans for adverse markets and supply conditions.
  • Participate in the company's global marketing meetings as part of his / her process for setting company programmes and production plans.
  • Leading and working with the Sales team to develop new domestic markets for the company's high quality pitch.
  • Keeps abreast of the local competition in the marketplace and develops strategies to deal with the products of the Company in order that the most favourable selling arrangements can be negotiated.
Organizational Development
  • Motivates work performance of staff and maintains good relations with employees, delegating responsibilities and communicating with team members.
  • Responsible for good community and maintaining Government relations.
  • Ensures the technical development of Staff.
  • He / she will be responsible for the plant safety and environmental programmes by participating or overseeing activity in all respects of the programme including:
    • Occupational Health & Safety meeting
    • Investigation and reporting of all safety and environmental accidents, incidents and the rehabilitation of injured employees
    • Safety and environmental risk assessment and risk based observation programmes.
Work Experience and Abilities Required
  • Strong Operational experience coupled with an Engineering background.
  • A minimum of 10 years solid Production experience in Chemical manufacturing industry, batch production /formulation experience is a must; with more than 5 years experience in a Manufacturing leader position in a multinational Chemical or related company.
  • Clear concept and implementation experience of TPM, Lean manufacturing and ISO standard.
  • General knowledge on Finance & Accounting, and Statistics.
  • Able to delegate, but ready to provide hands-on support where and when necessary.
Personal Characteristics and Skills
  • Strong analytical problem solving skills and be able to work independently.
  • Leadership and decision making.
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills to manage three partner/owners.
  • Proved leadership and management skill, strong ability to influence subordinates.
  • Can-do attitude and open minded. Good team player with other departments.
Education
Successfully completed a Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or related field, a postgraduate credentials are highly preferred.
Language Ability
Bilingual in both written and spoken Mandarin and English.
Compensation
The position compensation will be attractive and negotiable to the right candidate, comprising of a very competitive base salary supplemented by a performance oriented bonus opportunity and benefits where appropriate.