Director, Manufacturing Operations (Based in Batam)

PCI; Penang; On-site; MYR 300,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

PCI Private Limited, part of the Celestica family, is seeking a seasoned Operations leader to drive manufacturing excellence across a global EMS footprint. You will own plant budgets, lead Lean/Six Sigma initiatives, and partner with senior leadership to win deals and grow margins while building a high-performing team.

Based in Penang, Malaysia, the role requires deep expertise in production, scheduling, supply chain, manpower planning, and cost modelling, with a focus on scalable, future-proof

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive operations leadership in contract manufacturing or complex operations.
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Responsibilities

• Own and optimize plant cost budget and CAPEX for cost-reduction targets.

Skills

Proven Leadership

Commercial Savvy

Exceptional Communication

Operations Mastery

People Developer

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Business Administration

Job description

This position is with PCI Private Limited, a proud member of the Celestica family.

Headquartered in Singapore, PCI is an established global Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) provider. For over 50 years, we have delivered reliable end-to-end design, supply chain, and engineering solutions to top-tier international brands, combining our deep industry expertise with operational excellence across our regional footprint.

As part of the Celestica group, this role offers the unique opportunity to work within a close-knit, agile business environment while enjoying the global stability, reach, and network of a world-class technology leader.

Responsibilities:

1. Manufacturing Excellence

• Total Production Spend Management: Own and optimize the total plant cost budget, driving down variance in direct labor overheads, equipment maintenance, and material/component scrap.
• Factory Setup & Industrialization: Oversee facility layout design, equipment installation, and pilot line validation for new manufacturing operations.
• Operational Excellence: Implement Lean, Six Sigma, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and Industry 4.0 automation roadmaps.
• Performance & Quality Control: Establish KPI dashboards for overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), cycle time reduction, and zero-defect quality standards.
• Resource & Budget Management: Manage capital expenditure (CAPEX), operating budgets, and resource allocation to achieve cost-reduction targets.

2. Core Operations Competencies

• Highly-Scalable Workforce & Labor Management: Direct Labor (DL) optimization, oversee complex scheduling and up-skilling matrix with master plan for DL
• SMT & Assembly Line Efficiency: OEE maximization, yield & scrap control and level-loading optimization.
• Rapid New Product Introduction: Competencies in prototyping to mass production, time-to-market (TTM) and provide DFM back to the engineering team to optimize yield.
• Cost-Out & Continuous Improvement (CI): Conversion cost reduction and champion in Kaizen, 5S, lean six-sigma and any other CI initiatives
• Coaching & Talent Development: Invest in mentoring, coaching, and developing a resilient, high-performing team.
• Resource Effectiveness: Optimize resource allocation within the operations organization to maximize output and operational efficiency.
• Organization Design: Refine team structures as the company scales to align operations capabilities with evolving business needs.

4. Strategic Focus

• Market Trends & Insights: Staying ahead of the game and must shift focus from daily firefighting to building a scalable, resilient, and future-proof manufacturing ecosystem.
• Strategic Business Partner: Strong business and commercial acumen to partner with respective stakeholders to win deals and grow the business.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Business Administration is preferred.
• Proven Leadership: 15+ years of progressive operations leadership in contract manufacturing, industrial, or complex operations environments (Contract manufacturing background strongly preferred).
• Commercial Savvy: Demonstrated track record in working with senior management team, customers and internal stakeholders across the organisation to win deals, grow revenue and improve margin.
• Exceptional Communication: Professional-level written and verbal executive presence; adept at translating complex manufacturing data into clear operational actions.
• Operations Mastery: Deep expertise in production, scheduling, supply chain, manpower planning, and cost modelling.
• People Developer: Passionate about building teams, coaching direct reports, and fostering a collaborative, accountability-focused culture.

Why Join Us?

At PCI, We Grow Together. We are committed to recognizing and supporting each individual’s unique career journey within a close-knitted culture built on trust, respect, and dignity.

As part of Celestica, we empower innovation and excellence while providing an inclusive, flexible environment that promotes work-life balance so you can bring your best self to work.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. Thank you for applying.