Job Description
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 ASIA, MEAI, DACH, 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 a globally recognized Japanese manufacturer and provider of highly engineered industrial technologies and integrated process solutions serving critical manufacturing and process industries worldwide. With a long-standing heritage rooted in engineering excellence, product quality, and customer-centric innovation, the company has established itself as a trusted partner to customers operating in demanding industrial environments. Through a combination of advanced technologies, technical expertise, and a consultative approach, the organization continues to strengthen its market leadership and pursue sustainable growth across Southeast Asia and Greater China.
As Regional CEO (m/f/d), you will serve as the highest executive authority for one of the company's most strategically important regions. Leading a portfolio of well-established country organizations and senior leadership teams across Southeast Asia and Greater China, you will define the long-term vision, drive sustainable growth, and ensure operational excellence throughout the region. Working in close partnership with headquarters and global executive management, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future direction of the business while further strengthening its leadership position across key process industries.
This is a unique opportunity to take on a highly visible executive leadership position within a globally established and growing organization. The successful candidate will shape the strategic direction of a key region, lead established and successful country organizations, and work closely with headquarters and senior leadership on long-term growth initiatives. The role offers a high degree of autonomy, significant influence, and the opportunity to leave a lasting impact on the future development of the business across Southeast Asia and Greater China.
Your duties and responsibilities will include:
- Define and execute the long-term business strategy for Southeast Asia and Greater China in alignment with the global vision and corporate objectives
- Provide inspirational leadership and overall executive direction for multiple established organizations across the region, fostering a culture of performance, collaboration, accountability, and continuous development
- Inspire, empower, and develop regional leadership teams while promoting talent development and succession planning to ensure long-term organizational success
- Demonstrate a strong passion for growth by continuously identifying new opportunities to strengthen market leadership and create sustainable long-term value
- Drive sustainable growth and increase market share through strategic initiatives and a customer-centric, solution-selling approach
- Maintain a strong presence in the market and actively engage with key customers, industry stakeholders, and strategic partners to ensure customer proximity and long-term business success
- Identify new business opportunities and further expand the company’s footprint across key industries including Petrochemical, General Chemical, Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Life Sciences, and selected OEM markets
- Ensure lean, transparent, and efficient organizations across the region while maintaining strong operational and financial discipline to support sustainable and profitable growth
- Lead, coach, and develop senior management teams while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and organizational excellence
- Act as the key interface between the regional organizations and global headquarters, ensuring strategic alignment and close collaboration with global executive management to support long-term growth initiatives
- Navigate complex business situations and effectively manage organizational and commercial challenges while maintaining strong and sustainable customer relationships
- Monitor market trends, competitive dynamics, and industry developments to proactively identify opportunities and mitigate risks
- Represent the company externally and further strengthen its reputation and market leadership across the defined region
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 considered an advantage
- Proven executive leadership experience with full P&L responsibility in an international B2B industrial environment
- Demonstrated success in leading and developing larger organizations across multiple countries and cultures
- Entrepreneurial mindset combined with a strong passion for growth and the ability to identify and capitalize on emerging market opportunities
- Extensive experience serving customers in process industries such as Petrochemical, Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Food & Beverage, Energy, or related sectors
- Deep understanding of consultative and solution-based sales approaches and the ability to translate market requirements into sustainable business growth
- Outstanding leadership and communication skills with the ability to inspire, influence, and align diverse teams and stakeholders
- Proven ability to inspire, empower, and develop high-performing leadership teams while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement
- Strong capabilities in conflict resolution, change management, and organizational development
- High level of business acumen combined with a collaborative and hands-on leadership style
- Hands-on market leadership approach with strong customer orientation and the ability to maintain close proximity to markets, customers, and strategic stakeholders
- Strong understanding of Asian business cultures and experience navigating diverse and complex market environments
- Experience working closely with Japanese headquarters and managing complex global stakeholder environments
- Willingness to travel extensively across APAC