Vice President Operations

About us:Esco Lifesciences Group is a world-leading manufacturer of laboratory, pharmaceutical equipment, bioprocess tools and IVF medical devices, delivering sustainable workflow solutions to advance global health. Since 1978, the Singapore-based company is committed to excellence, ensuring forward-thinking technology, responsive support, and reliability, making Esco a trusted partner for the life science and medical markets in more than 150 countries.Job Overview:The Vice President of Operations will be a key leadership role responsible for overseeing and optimizing all operational functions, including production (plant operations), supply chain, quality assurance, and procurement. This role will ensure the efficient and compliant manufacturing of medical devices, timely delivery of products, and adherence to the highest quality standards and fostering a high-performing operations team. The VP of Operations will drive operational excellence, cost efficiency, and continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.Location: SingaporeDirect Manager: CEOKey Responsibilities:Strategic Operational Leadership & Manufacturing Excellence:Develop, communicate, and implement the organization's operational strategy, structure, and processes to support company-wide goals.Oversee the day-to-day operations across various departments, including manufacturing, supply chain, quality, regulatory and order fulfillment.Conduct regular business reviews with Plant Managers to assess performance against KPIs to measure the effectiveness of operational processes and drive data-driven decision-making.Lead and champion the Gemba walk methodology, develop and implement strategies to enhance productivity, efficiency, and cost control while ensuring the highest quality standards to meet customer demand and business objectives.Manage the operational budget, allocate resources effectively, and monitor financial performance to identify and implement cost-reduction initiatives.Analyze current workflows to identify inefficiencies and implement changes using methodologies like Lean or Six Sigma to drive continuous improvement.Champion product transfer projects, ensuring rigorous project management, risk mitigation, and flawless execution while maintaining the highest standards of quality and regulatory compliance, and with zero disruption to product supply.Supply Chain Management:Develop and execute supply chain strategies to optimize procurement, logistics, and inventory management for product portfolio.Monitor and mitigate supply chain risks, including disruptions, lead time variability, and geopolitical factors.Implement strategic sourcing initiatives, negotiating contracts, and evaluating supplier performance to drive improvements in cost down and supply chain efficiency.Oversee supplier audits and performance evaluations to ensure that external partners meet agreed-upon standards for quality, delivery, and cost.Implement advanced planning and forecasting tools to improve supply chain efficiency.Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance:Ensure the company's operations comply with all relevant medical device regulatory standards (ISO 13485&9001, etc.), Identify and mitigate operational risks to ensure business continuity.Oversee the implementation and maintenance of a comprehensive quality management system (QMS) to ensure products meet or exceed regulatory and customer requirements.Collaborate with R&D and regulatory teams to ensure new products are designed and manufactured in compliance with applicable standards.Cross function Partnership and Team Development:Lead the implementation and maturation of the Esco Business System (EBS), embedding a culture of continuous improvement and lean manufacturing.Play a lead role in the operational integration of mergers and acquisitions, ensuring seamless assimilation of people, processes, and systems.Act as the key operational leader to own and deliver on all operational commitments for NPD, including manufacturing strategy, cost targets, scalability, and design for manufacturability (DFM), to ensure a smooth and successful transition from R&D to volume production.Drive cross-functional collaboration with R&D, Sales, Marketing, and Finance to ensure alignment and support for operational goals.Provide strategic guidance and partnership to the Sales Operations team to achieve an effective "quote-to-cash" process.Mentor and develop talent within the operations team, ensuring a strong pipeline of future leaders.Key Requirements:Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field.15+ years of experience in operations management. At least 8 years of experience in a leadership role managing global multi-national sites, overseas experience is preferred. Preferably in the life science, healthcare and medical device area.Proven track record of driving continuous improvement initiatives, cost reduction, and operational excellence.Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, P&L, and cost optimization initiatives.Exceptional problem-solving abilities with a focus on operational efficiency.In-depth knowledge of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies.Strong analytical mindset with ability to make data-driven decisions.Detail-oriented and results-driven, with a passion for operational excellence.Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment.Collaborative and able to foster strong cross-functional relationships.