ABOUT DEPARTER - THE KNOW-WHO PEOPLE
Departer is a leading German Executive Search firm with over 20 years of experience in global leadership recruitment. We specialize in placing executives in medium-sized enterprises and private equity portfolio firms across DACH, MEAI, ASIA, and ANZ regions. With a deep understanding of the DACH economy, we facilitate successful placements within global management teams across corporate headquarters and entities abroad.
Our client is an internationally operating industrial manufacturing company with a strong presence across global markets. The organization develops and produces highly engineered technical solutions for demanding industrial applications and is recognized for its commitment to engineering excellence, operational performance, and long-term customer partnerships.
As Managing Director China and Southeast Asia, you will hold full executive responsibility for the company's China operations, leading the business through its next phase of growth and transformation. Reporting directly to the global executive leadership team, you will define and execute the local business strategy, drive operational and commercial excellence, and lead a multidisciplinary organization while ensuring sustainable growth and profitability.
This is an outstanding opportunity to take on a highly visible executive leadership role within an internationally established industrial organization. The successful candidate will shape the future of the China business, lead an experienced local management team, and contribute directly to the company's long-term international growth strategy.
Your duties and responsibilities will include:
- Lead the China organization with full responsibility for strategy, operations, profitability, and sustainable business growth
- Define and execute the local business strategy in alignment with global corporate objectives
- Drive commercial excellence by strengthening relationships with key OEM customers and identifying new business opportunities
- Lead, inspire, and develop the local leadership team while fostering a high-performance culture built on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
- Ensure operational excellence across Sales, Engineering, Operations, Finance, Supply Chain, Quality, and HR
- Oversee the full P&L, budgeting, forecasting, financial performance, and business planning processes
- Drive organizational development, talent management, and succession planning to build long-term leadership capability
- Act as the primary interface between the China organization and global headquarters, ensuring strategic alignment and transparent communication
- Lead business transformation initiatives while promoting innovation, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement
- Monitor market developments, industry trends, customer requirements, and competitive activities to identify strategic opportunities
- Represent the company externally with customers, partners, industry associations, and governmental stakeholders
- Ensure compliance with corporate governance, legal requirements, and the company's ethical standards
To be successful in this role, you should have the following skills and experiences:
- University degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related discipline; an MBA is advantageous
- Extensive executive leadership experience with full P&L responsibility in an international manufacturing environment
- Proven experience leading complex organizations within China
- Strong leadership capabilities with a track record of building, developing, and inspiring high-performing management teams
- Demonstrated success driving profitable business growth, operational excellence, and organizational transformation
- Strong commercial mindset with experience in strategic sales, customer relationship management, and business development
- Experience working within multinational organizations and collaborating closely with global headquarters
- Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, supply chain management, and operational performance management
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills across international and multicultural environments
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a hands-on leadership approach and strong decision-making capabilities
- Deep understanding of the Chinese business environment and the ability to successfully navigate complex market dynamics
- Fluent English and Mandarin Chinese; German language skills are considered an advantage
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required
