Vice President of Operations – Kemin China Group

Overview:

Lead and oversee multi-site operations across Feed & Food Technologies, Enzyme Production, and Textile Auxiliaries manufacturing facilities, ensuring efficiency, profitability, and compliance with industry standards. Drive operational excellence through process optimization, digital transformation, and sustainability initiatives while ensuring high-quality production, supply chain resilience, and regulatory adherence. Align operational strategies with corporate growth objectives and foster a culture of continuous improvement, safety, and innovation.

REPORTS TO: WW VP of Global Operations/Chief Operating Officer (COO)

We Are Kemin 

We are visionaries who see things differently and are inspired by the world around us.  

We have been dedicated to using applied science to improve the quality of life for over half a century.   

We are a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services.  

For over half a century, Kemin has been dedicated to using applied science to address industry challenges and offer product solutions to customers in more than 120 countries. Kemin provides ingredients to feed a growing population with its commitment to the quality, safety and efficacy of food, feed and health-related products to customers around the world.   

Established in 1961, Kemin is a privately held, family-owned-and-operated company with more than 2,800 global employees and operations in 90 countries, including manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, India, Italy, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa and the United States.

Regional Operations Leadership

• Oversee and integrate Feed & Food Processing, Enzyme Production, and Textile Auxiliaries manufacturing sites, ensuring alignment with corporate and industry-specific objectives.
• Standardize best practices across different plants, considering technological variations in manufacturing processes.
• Drive process innovation in fermentation, enzymatic extraction, and chemical formulations to enhance production efficiency.
• Ensure scalability and flexibility in manufacturing operations to adapt to evolving market demands.
• Develop and execute digitalization and automation projects, implementing IoT-based process controls, real-time data analytics, and AI-driven operational efficiencies.

 Supply Chain & Production Strategy

• Lead end-to-end supply chain management, from raw material sourcing to final product distribution, ensuring cost-effectiveness and reliability.
• Define and oversee S&OP and S&OE strategies, balancing production capacity, raw material availability, and customer demand.
• Optimize inventory levels and logistics efficiency, ensuring just-in-time production while mitigating supply chain risks.
• Foster supplier partnerships for strategic sourcing of feed ingredients, enzymes, and chemical components.

Financial & Cost Management

• Develop and execute cost-reduction initiatives, including waste minimization, process efficiency improvements, and energy optimization.
• Oversee CAPEX investment plans, evaluating automation projects, facility expansions, and sustainability programs for long-term operational growth.
• Monitor and optimize OPEX spending, ensuring operational budgets align with financial targets. 

Sustainability, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations (HACCP, GMP, FSMA), chemical safety regulations (REACH, EPA, FDA), and textile industry sustainability standards (ZDHC, OEKO-TEX, Bluesign).
• Drive ESG initiatives, including carbon footprint reduction, circular economy practices, and responsible sourcing strategies.
• Strengthen workplace safety protocols and risk management strategies, ensuring compliance with OSHA, ISO 45001, and environmental regulations.
• Implement waste reduction and energy efficiency projects, leveraging biodegradable materials, enzymatic alternatives, and sustainable process innovations.

 Leadership & Organizational Development

• Build and mentor a strong leadership team of Plant Managers/Site Directors, Supply Chain Manager and Toll Manufacturing Manager, fostering an environment of high performance and accountability.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration between R&D, Engineering, Quality, and Commercial teams to drive innovation and market competitiveness.
• Implement talent development and upskilling programs, ensuring operational teams are prepared for technological advancements and process evolution.
• Effectively take actions to maintain and develop team’s engagement.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and lean thinking, enabling teams to proactively identify and implement process enhancements.

 Integration Responsibilities (Post-Acquisition – Enzyme Production Business):

• Develop and execute a structured roadmap to incorporate the enzyme manufacturing operation into the company’s regional industrial framework.
• Oversee leadership transition, talent retention, and cross-functional team collaboration to ensure cultural and strategic alignment.
• Harmonize quality, safety, and environmental compliance across all sites, ensuring smooth certification and regulatory adherence.
• Align automation, IoT, and AI-driven process controls between enzyme production and existing sites for efficiency and scalability.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities, optimize CAPEX/OPEX across sites, and establish long-term procurement and supply chain efficiencies.
• Develop contingency plans to address integration risks, minimize disruptions, and ensure operational resilience.
• Set integration KPIs, track synergy realization, and implement ongoing process optimization initiatives.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Corporate office with frequent visits to multiple manufacturing sites (Feed, Enzymes, and Textile Auxiliaries).

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT:

• 50% (domestic and/or international travel across production sites and regional headquarters).

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Industrial, Chemical, Mechanical, Food, Animal Nutrition or Production), Business Administration, or a related field.
• MBA or Postgraduate degree in Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business Strategy, or Industrial Management (preferred).
• Fluent English and Chinese.

 EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE:

• Proven leadership experience in industrial operations, specifically in Feed & Food Processing, Enzyme Manufacturing, or Chemical/Textile Auxiliaries industries.
• Deep expertise in process-driven manufacturing, including fermentation, enzymatic production, food-grade processing, and chemical formulations.
• Strong background in supply chain, logistics, and production planning, with hands-on experience in S&OP and demand forecasting.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance, including food safety standards (GMP, HACCP, FSSC 22000), environmental and chemical safety (REACH, EPA, FDA), and textile industry norms.
• Proficiency in Lean Manufacturing, TPM, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience in industrial automation and digital transformation, including Industry 4.0, IoT, AI-driven production monitoring, and predictive maintenance.
• Financial and P&L management skills, with a strong track record in cost optimization, CAPEX/OPEX management, and operational budgeting.
• Leadership of multicultural teams, fostering a performance-driven culture while developing talent and succession planning.
• Experience in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives, with a focus on sustainable sourcing, energy efficiency, and waste reduction.

 COMPETENCIES & SKILLS:

• Strategic Leadership: Ability to set long-term operational goals aligned with business growth and industry evolution.
• Industry Expertise: Deep knowledge of Feed & Food Technologies, Enzymes, and Textile Auxiliaries manufacturing processes.
• Operational Excellence: Strong understanding of lean methodologies, waste reduction, and efficiency optimization.
• Supply Chain Mastery: Expertise in demand planning, raw material procurement, and logistics network optimization.
• Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management: Strong command of industry-specific safety, quality, and sustainability regulations.
• Financial Acumen: Strong P&L ownership, cost control, and capital investment decision-making skills.
• Change Management & Innovation: Ability to drive digital transformation, automation, and process reengineering.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement: Strong interpersonal skills to navigate cross-functional teams and executive-level decision-making.

office Location: Zhuhai or Shanghai

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