Assistant Manager

To support the NIPSEA Group of companies in delivering successful customer outcomes and enhance operational resilience through key process improvement, system design and digitalization.

• Propagating best practices within the NIPSEA Group, focusing on projects relating to and/or connected to Supply Chain and Manufacturing activities.
• The team is responsible helping the group to deliver Maximize Shareholder Value (MSV), maximize asset utilisation by continuous improvement in productivity and rationalize group's capex.

Position Objective – Operational Discipline

1.  Engaging teams in the review and streamline of key processes to improve operating efficiency

• Benchmark of key Supply Chain and Production-related indicators to pursue improvement opportunities across the Group, optimize manufacturing assets.
• To work with and provide guidance to Nippon Paint's business entities (NPXs) to review investments in manufacturing equipment and new plants from financial and operational perspectives.
• Support the alignment of operating model and workflow design to improve process efficiency and thereby reduce inventory holding and creation of slow-moving/expired materials.

2.     Improving product quality through the adoption of strong manufacturing practice ("SMP") core value in factory operations

• Responsible for continuous quality improvement processes of the Group and monitor/track quality indicators of each site.
• Initiate, Monitor and Review Quality programs to meet business needs and customer expectations to achieve Quality Excellence. Regular review (quarterly) of SMP health indicators with SMP key-masters and decide necessity for on-site Diagnostic audit (to better assess actual ground condition)

Duties/Responsibilities – Essential functions

1.     Operational Improvement

• Lead & share best practices & formulate guidelines & policies related to SCO.
• Compile and review all sites' SCO KPIs such as asset utilisation, cost of manufacturing, logistics cost etc. Develop methods to continuously drive performance improvement and output maximization.
• Drive "Lean for Growth" mind set in the group, ensure an efficient deployment of the group's capex using a combination of management, financial and engineering practices.
• Conduct financial and technical discussion on capex business case review and exercise in annual capital budget exercise.
• Map-out and ensure BCP & supply chain resilience for the group.
• Relate on-site situation (through diagnosis and on-site visits) with current/future Operational requirements (eg. Production Capacity, Quality required instruments, storage needs).
• Gather & conduct Business Intelligences for statistical analysis, supply chain integration, collaboration & digitalization initiatives.

2.     Quality Management

• Monitor, Analyse and Report Total Quality Management (TQM) related indicators and establish key initiatives to achieve continuous improvement across the Group.
• Set measurable targets for the Country Operations team, define priorities and guide the teams to achieve these targets, and monitor team's performance.
• Act as main interface for quality related topics between countries.
• Participate in yearly Quality related diagnosis activities.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Degree in Engineering or Business-related or manufacturing Field.
• Candidates with more than 5 years of working experience in a manufacturing environment or service industry. Those with knowledge of operational and internal control areas, especially in the areas of process change and workflow improvement management will have a stronger edge in delivering the expectation of this role.  Relevant experience in large-scale project management and capital budgeting is also preferred.
• Meticulous, highly analytical, process-driven individual with the ability to work both independently and as a team member.
• Good and effective communication skills in English and Chinese, both written & spoken, are required for this role.  Candidates with strong interpersonal and motivational skills will be better suited to operate in the Group's Entrepreneurial environment.
• Computer literacy in ERP systems (i.e. SAP), Microsoft Office and other business-related software will be advantageous.
• Ability to travel frequently is required (approximately 30-40% of travel required).