Director Continuous Improvement, APAC

At McCormick, we bring our passion for flavor to work each day. We encourage growth, respect everyone's contributions and do what's right for our business, our people, our communities and our planet. Join us on our quest to make every meal and moment better.

Founded in Baltimore, MD in 1889 in a room and a cellar by 25-year-old Willoughby McCormick with three employees, McCormick is a global leader in flavour. With over 14,000 employees around the world and more than $6 Billion in annual sales, the Company manufactures, markets, and distributes spices, seasoning mixes, condiments and other flavourful products to the entire food industry, retail outlets, food manufactures, food service businesses and consumers.

While our global headquarters are in the Baltimore, Maryland, USA area, McCormick operates and serves customers from nearly 60 locations in 25 countries and 170 markets in Asia-Pacific, China, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and the Americas, including North, South and Central America

Position Overview/Primary Purpose

• This position is responsible for leadership, direction, and functional expertise to the APAC Supply Chain on implementing a world class Continuous Improvement (CI) Program to improve financial delivery, lead workforce engagement and capability, design and optimise the supply network, digitalise/automate the supply chain and drive analytic capability and insights.
• This position will be responsible for leading strategy development, deployment, and coaching Plant Managers and CI Managers and teams, and collaborate with Plants and Functional Directors for various workforce engagement and CI systems and programs across APAC region, influencing across cultures.
• This position will be responsible for leading and developing regional process and provide input into global processes such as overall value generation (includes Loss Analysis, CCI delivery, JTE standards, digitalization, automation etc.), Analytics, and Network Design
• Lead strategic build on Supply Chain Transformation aligned with the Business Unit Commercial LTP’s

Key Responsibilities: 

• Create and execute the Journey to Excellence Masterplan. Connect, coach and influence Plant Leaders, Functional Directors and Commercial Leaders in JTE methodology, value creation and progress. Lead audits/assessments (TPM/pillars, Phase Map) and development of assessors in sites. Problem-solving expert, leading and coaching in root cause and preventative action. 
• Interface with APAC and Global CCI teams to develop the next generation CCI agenda and ensure a coordinated approach to margin expansion. Responsible for developing APAC SC CCI budgets to flow into P&L, delivery to budget, changes into quarterly forecasts and building an improvements-based culture.
• Manage and drive Network Design changes in response to commercial LTP’s and utilize scale in APAC to streamline capabilities and drive value.
• Governance and ownership of value pool (loss analysis, capital investments/avoidance/deferment) for the region, including ownership of horizontal themes (e.g. direct/indirect labour, material waste, procurement sourcing choices and warehouse + transportation lanes).
• Lead the Performance Control System (PCS) from Plant/Warehouse (L4) to Global (L7) for APAC, including influence over KPI governance, actionable insights and root cause of issues. Alignment with IBP process alongside PCS.
• Develop and lead digitalization plans for technology solutions (e.g. ERP and MES) to fuel growth. APAC representation and influence into the global digitalization and automation plans. Provide coaching to plant teams to build a continuous process automation improvement pipeline and deliver through strong connection with Global Business Solutions (GBS) and the Supply Chain Global Services Owner.
• Build and implement SC masterplans, priorities and LTP with APAC SCLT, functional areas and sites. Includes organizational design (Consistent Global Model), overhead reduction, and building capability to eliminate losses.

Desired Previous Experience: 

• Minimum of 15 years’ relevant experience and progressing leadership roles in Supply Chain & Manufacturing.
• Demonstrated ability to drive results using continuous improvement tools, analytical decision making, building strong relationships, digitalization, financial acumen and direction setting.
• Ability to provide program leadership on pillars, programs and systems.
• Experience leading a TPM or Lean program across a manufacturing network.
• Detailed understanding of how all areas of plant and end-to-end Supply Chain interact to drive results.
• Able to demonstrate achievements in Health and Safety standards in different countries.
• A strong practical approach with clear leadership and influencing abilities.
• Strong listening and Change Management skills.
• Strong communication and diplomacy skills to guide and influence others through all levels of the business, strong leadership of non-direct reports to achieve common objectives in different cultures.
• Ability to translate strategy into actionable information.
• Flexible and able to manage concurrent priorities
• Strong and proven problem-solving skills, leads others in problem solving and root cause analysis
• Knowledge of programs, policies and practices of food and general industry practice.
• Able to travel and work flexible hours around time zones.

Agencies: McCormick as needed will work with external recruitment vendors through our Agency Portal. Unless previously contacted, McCormick does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiting agencies.
 
McCormick & Company is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, colour, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
 
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies.