Global Continuous Improvement Director– based in China

Our client is a fast-growing global medical-device CDMO with a long-established international presence and operations across Asia, North America and Europe. The company works with leading medical-device organisations and is investing significantly in the expansion, standardisation and digitalisation of its global manufacturing capabilities.

We are seeking a Global Director, Continuous Improvement to be based in China to establish and execute the company's global Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence strategy. Reporting directly to the COO and serving as a key member of the Operations Leadership Team, the role offers significant visibility and the opportunity to shape how CI is embedded across a growing international manufacturing organisation.

The successful candidate will lead a global transformation agenda spanning Lean and Six Sigma, productivity, quality, automation, digitalisation and MES, while building a strong CI culture and capability across multiple manufacturing sites. The role will have a direct focus on measurable business impact, including cost reduction, productivity, quality and operational performance.

Key Requirements

• 10+ years’ experience, including 5+ years in senior Continuous Improvement, Operational Excellence or Lean Transformation leadership
• 5+ years in medical-device manufacturing; CDMO experience is a strong advantage
• Proven success leading global/multi-site CI transformations and delivering measurable cost, productivity and P&L improvements
• Strong expertise in Lean and Six Sigma; Six Sigma Black Belt certification required
• Experience with MES, automation and digital manufacturing
• Knowledge of regulated manufacturing, ideally ISO 13485 and FDA requirements
• Strong leadership, influencing and stakeholder-management skills across a global, decentralised organisation
• Bachelor's and Master's degree in Engineering, Operations, Business or related field
• Fluent English required; Mandarin is an advantage
• Willingness to be based in Shenzhen/Dongguan, China, with regular international travel