Plant Manager

MAPEI MALAYSIA SDN BHD; Kulai; On-site; MYR 360,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

MAPEI Malaysia Sdn Bhd (MMSB) seeks an experienced Plant Manager to lead the start-up of a new manufacturing facility, establish operational excellence and build high-performing teams to support growth.

The role requires 15+ years in manufacturing leadership, with MBA preferred, and proficiency in ERP (Microsoft Dynamics 365) and Power BI to drive data-based decisions across production, maintenance, quality and logistics.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical/Industrial Engineering or related field; MBA or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations, including oversight of multiple functions (Manufacturing, Engineering, Lean).
• Strong experience in managing overall plant operations, including production, engineering, maintenance, logistics, planning and administration.
• Experience with digital manufacturing technologies, ERP systems (Microsoft Dynamics 365 preferred), and data-driven decision-making tools such as Power BI.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking with ability to anticipate trends and implement proactive strategies.
• Exceptional leadership and influencing skills; able to engage stakeholders at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Plan, lead and oversee day-to-day operations of the plant to ensure smooth, efficient production aligned with customer requirements.
• Promote 5S, safety, health and environmental compliance to maintain a safe workplace.
• Ensure SOPs, work guidelines, quality standards and safety requirements are followed.
• Oversee plant functions including administration, production, quality control, maintenance, warehouse & logistics, health and safety.
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement to boost productivity and efficiency.
• Develop employees, set performance goals and allocate resources.
• Lead readiness for start-up: layout, equipment installation, commissioning and ramp-up.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing/Mechanical/Industrial Engineering

MBA or equivalent (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics 365

Power BI

ERP systems

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Plant Manager to lead the start-up of a new manufacturing facility, leveraging advanced technologies to establish operational excellence, build high-performing teams and create a sustainable foundation to support our business growth.

Job Responsibilities

Plan, lead and oversee the day-to-day operations of the plant to ensure smooth, efficient and timely production in line with customer requirements.

Promote and enforce compliance with 5S practices, safety, health, and environmental regulations to maintain a safe, disciplined, and compliant workplace.

Ensure the effective implementation and compliance of standard operating procedures, work guidelines, quality standards and safety requirements.

Oversee key plant functions, including plant administration, production, quality control, maintenance, warehouse & logistics, health and safety.

Ensure production output and product quality meet business requirements and customer expectations.

Lead, coach and develop employees to strengthen their management capabilities, technical knowledge and overall performance.

Establish performance goals, allocate resources effectively and monitor employee performance.

Lead the planning and operational readiness of our new manufacturing facility, including production layout, equipment installation, commissioning and production ramp-up.

Drive Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives to improve productivity, quality and operational efficiency.

Controlling the costs, process parameters and quality of production activities to meet budget, time & customer’s requirements.

Job Requirements & Qualifications

Graduate degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical/Industrial Engineering, or related discipline; advanced degree (MBA or equivalent) preferred.

Minimum 15 years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing operations within multinational companies, including oversight of multiple functions (Manufacturing, Engineering, Lean).

Strong experience in managing overall plant operations, including production, engineering, maintenance, logistics, planning and administration.

Experience with digital manufacturing technologies, ERP systems (Microsoft Dynamics 365 preferred), and data-driven decision-making tools such as Power BI.

Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills with the ability to anticipate future trends and implement proactive strategies.

Exceptional leadership and influencing skills, capable of engaging stakeholders at all levels in the organization.

Outstanding communication and negotiation skills with cultural awareness and sensitivity to diverse teams.

Strong knowledge of ISO standards, Quality Management Systems, and safety programs; experience in compliance and audit readiness.

MAPEI Malaysia Sdn Bhd (MMSB) is a manufacturer and supplier of specialty chemicals for the building and construction industry.

MMSB was incorporated on 4 January 1992. Business activities started in the form of trading with 6 employees. In 2001, facilities for production of powder solutions for installing ceramic tiles and stone materials were established in Rawang. Expansion to cover manufacturing of latex-based liquid products followed in 2008 and grinding aids for the cement industry in 2010. In April 2011, an automated, high-tech mixer was installed to cater to increasing demand in local and export markets.

With continuing rapid growth, further big-scale expansion was necessary and construction of a new ultra-modern plant with facilities for production, warehousing and laboratories started in Nilai in 2013. Completion was achieved in December 2014 and all operations are now running and in place.

The company now offers a broad range of MAPEI’s product lines for buildings, civil engineering works and underground construction including adhesives for ceramic & stone materials, waterproofing, roofing, sealing & jointing, concrete repairs & protection, structural strengthening, industrial flooring, concrete admixtures, as well as additives for cement production.

MAPEI Malaysia Sdn Bhd (MMSB) is a manufacturer and supplier of specialty chemicals for the building and construction industry.

MMSB was incorporated on 4 January 1992. Business activities started in the form of trading with 6 employees. In 2001, facilities for production of powder solutions for installing ceramic tiles and stone materials were established in Rawang. Expansion to cover manufacturing of latex-based liquid products followed in 2008 and grinding aids for the cement industry in 2010. In April 2011, an automated, high-tech mixer was installed to cater to increasing demand in local and export markets.

With continuing rapid growth, further big-scale expansion was necessary and construction of a new ultra-modern plant with facilities for production, warehousing and laboratories started in Nilai in 2013. Completion was achieved in December 2014 and all operations are now running and in place.

The company now offers a broad range of MAPEI’s product lines for buildings, civil engineering works and underground construction including adhesives for ceramic & stone materials, waterproofing, roofing, sealing & jointing, concrete repairs & protection, structural strengthening, industrial flooring, concrete admixtures, as well as additives for cement production.