Foods Greater Asia Manufacturing Excellence Lead

As the Manufacturing Excellence Lead for Foods Greater Asia, you will be responsible for driving the transformation of manufacturing capabilities across the cluster. You will lead the deployment of the Manufacturing Excellence (ManEx) program—including UMS, WCM, sustainability, agility, asset efficiency, digitization, and automation—by partnering closely with Site Directors and factory leadership teams. This role is critical in unlocking performance improvements, enabling future-fit technologies, and ensuring engineering best practices are embedded across operations. You will also serve as the single point of contact for global engineering initiatives, supporting innovation delivery, strategic project development, and capital efficiency improvements.

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE:
The Manufacturing Excellence Lead contributes in building the Greater Asia ManEx program (such as UMS, WCM, sustainability, agility, asset efficiency, digitisation and automation), is responsible for managing and driving the implementation of the agreed ManEx program together with the SUDs and the factory leadership teams in the countries s/he is looking after. S/he is also providing WCM coaching for the plants, coordinating activities, developing the requires WCM skill base to enable factories to eradicate losses, delivering WCM training. S/he has a direct impact on Manufacturing performance KPI’s (Managing Manufacturing Performance Standards) improvement (e.g. OR, OEE, agility, sustainability, ME Savings).

The role will also:

• Directs and Enables factory journey to build the Masterplan and defining the best fit technology needed for the future.

• Develop and deploy the technology framework for each factory for assigned technology. Single point resource for factory engineering team for technology selection (process design/ machine selection).

• Supports factory engineering teams in Concept & FEED (pre-capex) engineering stages in defining the technical solution. Support will be higher for newer/ higher risk technologies. For projects requiring replicates of existing proven technology/ within the agreed framework support expected would be lower.

• Identifies opportunities for improving capital efficiency via development or rollout of new technologies, qualification of low-cost vendors and increasing productivity of existing assets (BCT reduction/ line speed increase, asset transfer, etc.).

• Drives BU’s initiatives; flexible and agile operation, deliver saving target, SHEQ improvements, and sustainability, by working closely with R&D, Planning, CM, Quality, SHE, SUIT, ManEx and factory engineering team in idea development up to MPT stage.

• Partners planning and R&D team in defining the technology solution for all 70/20 innovation projects. Responsible for engaging with SUIT/ factory engineering teams to ensure smooth transition of innovation project to execution.

• Ensure best engineering practices & designs are implemented across country

• Single point of contact for Global Engineering team for technology transfer –for Global Innovations, updates to engineering standards, globally developed new technologies e.g., higher speed lines, and represent the cluster in relevant global network or COP

• Critical safety or quality interventions which are led globally

• Lead the early phase definition & development of strategic projects working closely with the business (brief/ concept stage) till a dedicated team is put in place e.g., acquisitions, new plants, small MoQ mixer and flexible filling line, etc

• Drive the digitalization and automation roadmap by working closely with factory and global team to ensure Unilever standard implemented

Key Skills

• Manufacturing Excellence Expertise – Deep knowledge of UMS, WCM, TPM, Lean, and continuous improvement methodologies.

• Engineering & Technology Leadership – Ability to define, evaluate, and deploy future-fit technologies across multiple sites.

• Project Management – Skilled in leading complex, multi-country initiatives from concept to execution.

• Digital & Automation Capability – Experience in developing and implementing digitization and automation roadmaps and deployment.

• Fully functional in data analytics and use of tools like Power BI

• Cross-functional Collaboration – Strong ability to work with diverse teams including R&D, Planning, Quality, and Global Engineering.

• Strategic Thinking – Capable of translating business needs into technical solutions and long-term manufacturing strategies.

• Coaching & Capability Building – Proven track record in developing factory teams through training and hands-on support.

• Influencing & Communication – Strong stakeholder management and ability to influence across levels and geographies.

Experiences & Qualifications

• 4-6 years experience in manufacturing management

• Fully Operational in Digital Manufacturing and deployment of digital and IOT technologies

• Strong Manufacturing / WCM (or equivalent like TPM, Lean Management, etc.) background is required (with strong achievements)

• Good communication and influencing skills