Global Head of External Manufacturing

• To own and evolve The client’s External Manufacturing strategy 
  
• To professionalise, oversee and manage the relationship with existing Manufacturers, giving
  longer term visibility and commitment to the Factories
  
• To analyse and determine capacity allocation, Factory mix and regional balance
  
• To anticipate future state business needs, modelled on the growth trajectory and the required
  capacity to manufacture, considering both geopolitical implications as well as potential future
  joint ownership of key Production Partnerships
  
• To be accountable for The client’s exceptional Quality and Safety Standards across all
  External Factories
  
• To be accountable for the ethical behaviour of The client’s Production, as the Brand comes
  under increased scrutiny
  
  

•  Own and evolve The client’s external manufacturing strategy across Southeast Asia, ensuring
  the Factory plans support the rapid growth, increase resilience and quality while controlling
  costs and Brand standards
  
•  Own the relationship with Factory Owners (predominantly Korean-owned), build long-term
  plans and explore new manufacturing routes
  
•  Analyse and determine capacity allocation, Factory mix and regional balance across the
  Manufacturing base (currently Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Indonesia)
  
  

• Provide oversight of all third-party Manufacturing Partners, ensuring consistent delivery
  against agreed commercial, quality and service expectations, leading a team of in-house
  embedded The client specialists in-country reporting in
  
• Establish clear performance frameworks covering Delivery, Quality, Responsiveness and
  Continuous Improvement
  
• Lead regular business reviews with key Suppliers and manage escalation of material risks or
  performance issues
  

• Ensure Factories deliver On-time, In-full Production aligned to The client’s demand plans and
  seasonal peaks
  
• Oversee capacity planning and load balancing across countries and Suppliers to mitigate risk
  and avoid bottlenecks
  
• Partner closely with Planning, Logistics and Commercial teams to protect availability for
  Wholesale and DTC channels
  

• Act as the senior Manufacturing interface with Product Development, Supply Chain, Finance,
  Logistics and the SLT
  
• Be a strong voice inside The client for demanding improvement and organisational change on
  aspects which impact the ability to deliver quantity, on time and at the right quality
  
• Translate business strategy into clear Manufacturing priorities and execution plans for
  regional teams and Suppliers
  
• Provide clear, data-driven updates on Manufacturing performance, risks and opportunities to
  senior leadership
  
  

• Be accountable for maintaining The client’s exceptional Quality and Safety standards across
  all external Factories
  
• Ensure robust inspection, testing and certification processes are in place, including third-party
  Testing Partners where required
  
• Drive root-cause analysis and corrective action for quality failures, embedding preventative
  controls
  
  

• Lead Supplier Capability Development, including Process Standardisation, Training &
  Operational Excellence initiatives
  
• Support Factory upgrades in Machinery, Processes and Skills to improve Productivity,
  Consistency and Scalability
  
• Encourage a culture of continuous improvement across the external Manufacturing base
  
• Partner with The client Labs, the internal Technology Development team on using latest
  Technology in Manufacturing and Sourcing to drive efficiencies and improve quality
  

• Ensure all Partner Factories operate in line with The client’s responsible Sourcing, Ethical &
  Social Compliance standards
  
• Oversee Factory Audit programmes, remediation plans and ongoing compliance monitoring
  across all countries
  
• Stay ahead of evolving Regulatory, Safety and Chemical Compliance requirements impacting
  Toy Manufacturing
  

• Own Manufacturing input to cost management and margin protection, balancing efficiency
  with quality & Brand integrity
  
• Partner with Finance and Procurement to evaluate costs, potential investments or loans and
  long-term Supplier collaborations, with a view of enabling the Manufacturing Partners to
  invest and secure long term production volumes
  

• Lead and coordinate in-country Manufacturing teams and Partners in Vietnam, Cambodia,
  Thailand & Indonesia
  
• Travel regularly within the region to maintain strong Factory relationships and on-the-ground
  oversight
  

Requirements

• 20+ years of experience in production, quality, or manufacturing management, with significant
  experience across multiple countries or regions
  
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Textiles, Engineering, or a related technical field
  
• Expertise in production management, process optimisation, and quality management systems 
  
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies, including lean manufacturing and
  process standardisation
  
• Proven track record in factory compliance, vendor management, and supply chain operations
  within the consumer goods or textile sector
  
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
   Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing market
  conditions
  
• Deep understanding of manufacturing processes and quality standards within the consumer
  goods, textile industry
  
• Willingness to travel regularly across production sites in Asia.
  

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience.
  
  
• Year-end bonus
  
  
• Opportunity to work in an international environment and collaborate with global teams.
  
  
• 100% salary during probation.
  
  
• Professional training and regular performance reviews.
  
  
• Regular Performance Reviews and Professional Training
  
  
• And other competitive benefits