CEO (or Deputy CEO) - Food Manufacturing

Location: Northern Thailand (Relocation Required)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Industry: Food Production Manufacturing

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven CEO / Deputy CEO with proven leadership in food manufacturing to lead the operational and strategic growth of a vertically integrated food production factory serving both domestic and international markets. This role requires deep expertise in factory operations, export compliance, and raw material procurement, with a strong track record of delivering business growth and operational excellence.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Define and execute the company's strategic vision, with a strong emphasis on export market expansion, operational excellence, and product innovation.

• Oversee financial planning, performance management, and reporting across domestic and international business lines, while driving strategic initiatives to enhance competitiveness and support long-term growth.

• Cultivate and strengthen partnerships with domestic distributors, retail networks, and international buyers, driving market share growth and global presence.

• Lead all core functions of the food manufacturing business, including production, quality assurance, supply chain, procurement, R&D, regulatory compliance, and sales (local and export).

• Ensure full compliance with local and international food safety and quality standards, such as Thai FDA, HACCP, BRC, and Halal, maintaining the highest levels of operational integrity.

• Manage end-to-end sourcing and procurement of agricultural and raw materials, prioritizing sustainability, cost efficiency, and supply chain resilience.

• Champion productivity enhancement and continuous improvement, leveraging Lean, Six Sigma, or other global operational excellence frameworks.

• Lead organizational development and talent strategy, fostering a high-performance culture through leadership development, capability building, and succession planning.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Food Science, Engineering, Business Administration, Supply Chain, or a related field; an MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification is a strong advantage.

• Minimum 15 years of progressive leadership experience in food production/manufacturing, with at least 5 years at the GM, CEO, or Deputy CEO level.

• Proven P&L ownership and strong commercial acumen, with a track record of driving business growth and operational efficiency.

• Demonstrated success in leading end-to-end factory operations, including supply chain, production, and local/export sales.

• Strong knowledge of raw material sourcing, preferably in agricultural or perishable inputs.

• Hands-on experience with quality control systems, certifications, and international food safety standards. (e.g., HACCP, BRC, Halal, Thai FDA)

• Exceptional leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and change management skills, with the ability to lead transformation in dynamic environments.

KEY COMPETENCIES

1. Strategic Leadership & Market Expansion
   Driving long-term growth across domestic and international markets.

2. Financial Management
   Strong focus on budgeting, cost control, and profitability.

3. Operational Excellence
   End-to-end leadership in food manufacturing and continuous improvement.

4. Supply Chain & Sourcing
   Optimizing procurement and supply networks for efficiency and resilience.

5. Regulatory & Quality Compliance
   Ensuring global standards like Thai FDA, BRC, HACCP, and Halal.

6. People & Culture Development
   Building high-performing teams and leadership pipelines.

7. International Trade & Communication
   Leading cross-border operations with strong stakeholder engagement.