Location
Rayong, Thailand
Package
Competitive + Benefits
Work Mode: Onsite
General Manager Level | Chemical Manufacturing | Rayong, Thailand
About the Company
Our client is a well-established chemical manufacturer operating large-scale production facilities in Rayong, Thailand. The company is part of a leading international group and supplies specialty chemicals to key industries including industrial manufacturing, agriculture, and construction. With a strong focus on operational excellence, safety, and continuous improvement, the organisation offers a high-impact environment for senior leaders ready to drive results at scale.
Position Overview
The Production Head will be the senior operational leader for a key manufacturing unit, with full responsibility for production performance, safety compliance, cost management, and people leadership. This is a General Manager-level role with direct exposure to Group leadership and cross-functional stakeholders, requiring both strong technical grounding and strategic business acumen.
Key Responsibilities
- Production & Operations Leadership
- Oversee end-to-end production operations, ensuring output targets, quality standards, and delivery schedules are consistently met.
- Drive production planning, resource allocation, and capacity utilisation to optimise throughput and minimise downtime.
- Establish, monitor, and report on KPIs including OEE, production cost, yield efficiency, and plant availability.
- Strategic Development & Process Improvement
- Develop and implement multi-year production strategies aligned with the division’s business objectives and market demand.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent) to reduce waste, improve process yields, and lower unit production costs.
- Evaluate and propose capital investment projects for plant upgrades and capacity expansion; prepare business cases for Group approval.
- Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) Compliance
- Champion a zero-harm safety culture; ensure full compliance with Thai industrial safety regulations, ISO standards, and Group HSE policies.
- Manage process hazard reviews, emergency response preparedness, and environmental compliance across all production areas.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Management
- Work closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Supply Chain, Quality, and Finance to align production plans with business demands and ensure plant reliability.
- Report production performance, risks, and strategic updates to Senior Management and Group leadership.
- People Leadership & Talent Development
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of production managers, engineers, and operators; build succession pipelines to support long-term operational capability.
- Foster a high-performance culture grounded in accountability, continuous learning, and operational discipline.
Candidate Requirements
Education
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Chemical Engineering, Petrochemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
Experience
- Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in chemical manufacturing, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role (Plant Manager, GM, or equivalent).
- Strong background in specialty or industrial chemical production; experience in inorganic chemical manufacturing is highly advantageous.
- Track record of delivering production targets, cost reduction programmes, and capital projects in a large-scale, continuous-process environment.
- Experience within a multinational or large industrial group structure, with exposure to Group reporting and cross-functional stakeholder management.
Technical Competencies
- Solid technical foundation in chemical or process engineering, with hands-on experience managing complex, continuous-process manufacturing plants.
- Familiarity with DCS/SCADA process control systems and relevant regulatory frameworks (ISO 14001, ISO 45001, or equivalent).
- Strong financial acumen including budget management, cost analysis, and capex evaluation.
Seniority & Language
- Current designation at General Manager level or above is required; strong Plant Manager candidates with clear GM-level scope will also be considered.
- Excellent command of English (written and spoken) is essential; Thai language proficiency is an advantage.
Compensation
Compensation is competitive and commensurate with seniority and experience. Candidates are encouraged to share their current and expected total package for mutual alignment. A comprehensive benefits package is offered in line with GM-level standards in the chemical manufacturing sector in Thailand.
How to Apply
This search is managed exclusively by APlus Career Recruitment Co., Ltd. Qualified candidates are invited to submit their CV and current/expected compensation details in confidence to:
- Nina Phinnipha Suriyong
Managing Director | APlus Career Recruitment Co., Ltd. | Member of NPAworldwide
Email: nina@aplus-career.com | www.aplus-career.com
All applications are treated with the strictest confidence.