Chief Operating Officer (COO)

KNIGHT AUTO PRECISION ENGINEERING PTE LTD; Singapore; On-site; SGD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading precision engineering firm in Singapore seeks an experienced operations leader to drive strategic initiatives in Procurement, Design, and global manufacturing. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in operations management, particularly within precision engineering or semiconductor industries, with a strong background in LEAN methodologies and cross-functional leadership. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence operational excellence and enhance enterprise value across global sites.

Qualifications

• Minimum 20 years of leadership experience in operations management.
• Expertise in LEAN, Kaizen, and operational excellence.
• Strong strategic thinking and financial acumen.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across Procurement, Design, and Operations.
• Oversee global manufacturing and design engineering operations.
• Lead enterprise-wide LEAN/Kaizen initiatives.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Global operations management

LEAN methodologies

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Tools

MES

ERP

Job description

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership across Procurement, Design, and Operations to drive alignment, operational excellence, and enterprise value creation across global sites.
• Lead and integrate cross-functional efforts to ensure seamless collaboration between design, procurement, and manufacturing for end-to-end product lifecycle optimization.
• Oversee global manufacturing and design engineering operations to ensure cost-effective production, on-time delivery, and adherence to quality standards. Drive efficiency through KPIs such as OTD, manning ratio, capacity utilization, OEE, and yield.
• Oversee global sourcing, supplier management, and procurement strategies to ensure resilience, cost competitiveness, and alignment with business objectives.
• Lead enterprise-wide LEAN/Kaizen initiatives to embed a culture of continuous improvement, eliminating waste and enhancing productivity across all departments.
• Achieve cost of goods sold (COGS) and operational efficiency targets in line with the annual budget and business plans.
• Support smart manufacturing initiatives including MES, ERP, and other digital tools to enhance visibility, traceability, and data-driven decision-making.
• Lead integration workstreams for acquisitions related to manufacturing, design, and procurement, ensuring alignment with the company's operational model and future state.

Requirements:

• Minimum 20 years of leadership experience in operations management, including exposure to Procurement and Design, preferably in precision engineering or semiconductor-related industries.
• Proven ability to manage global operations and lead across functional domains.
• Expertise in LEAN, Kaizen, and other operational excellence methodologies.
• Strong strategic thinking, financial acumen, and business planning capabilities.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Familiarity with MES, ERP, and advanced manufacturing technologies.