Position

Operations Manager

Company

A plastics manufacturer

Location

Dongguan

Summary

A well-established plastics manufacturing operation based in Dongguan is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead its cellulose acetate sheet production facility. This is a senior plant-level role with end-to-end accountability for manufacturing performance, engineering excellence, utilities management, and team leadership

Responsibilities

Ÿ   Manufacturing & Process Management

Ÿ   Lead and optimise cellulose acetate sheet production through extrusion and thermo-pressing processes, maintaining consistent quality and throughput.

Ÿ   Define, monitor, and control critical process parameters including temperature profiles, pressures, line speeds, cooling rates, and residence times.

Ÿ   Drive continuous improvement programmes targeting OEE, scrap reduction, and cycle time optimisation.

Ÿ   Utilities & Plant Infrastructure

Ÿ   Ensure safe, reliable, and cost-efficient operation of all plant utilities including electrical power distribution, natural gas boilers, chilled water systems, cooling towers, HVAC, compressed air, smoke extraction, and ventilation.

Ÿ   Monitor utility consumption and implement energy efficiency and cost-reduction initiatives in line with applicable regulations.

Ÿ   Coordinate preventive and predictive maintenance plans across utilities and production equipment.

Ÿ   Maintenance & Engineering

Ÿ   Oversee the maintenance strategy for extrusion lines, thermo-presses, material handling systems, and auxiliary equipment.

Ÿ   Lead root cause analysis for equipment failures and persistent downtime events.

Ÿ   Plan and execute capital investment projects, equipment upgrades, and plant modifications.

Ÿ   Quality, Safety & Compliance

Ÿ   Ensure full compliance with customer specifications, quality standards, and internal standard operating procedures.

Ÿ   Enforce EHS policies with particular attention to high-temperature, high-pressure, and gas-fired systems.

Ÿ   Ensure compliance with applicable Chinese regulations.

Ÿ   Production Planning & People Management

Ÿ   Align production schedules with sales forecasts and inventory targets.

Ÿ   Lead, coach, and develop production, maintenance, and engineering teams.

Ÿ   Support recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing technical competency development of local teams.

Requirements

Ÿ   Bachelor's degree or above in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial, Materials Science, or equivalent discipline).

Ÿ   Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, with at least 3 years in a plant-level operations or production management role.

Ÿ   Demonstrated experience in plastic extrusion, thermo-pressing, or closely related polymer processing technologies.

Ÿ   Proven hands-on capability managing industrial utilities including natural gas boilers, chillers, cooling towers, and electrical distribution systems.

Ÿ   Experience working within a Chinese industrial environment or a multinational manufacturing organisation operating in China.

Ÿ   Strong working knowledge of polymer processing principles; familiarity with cellulose acetate or analogous thermoplastics is an advantage.

Ÿ   Solid understanding of thermal processes, heat transfer, cooling systems, and industrial energy management.

Ÿ   Familiarity with industrial automation, PLC-controlled equipment, and process data analysis tools.

Ÿ   Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, plant layouts, and technical engineering drawings.

Ÿ   Working knowledge of EHS and regulatory requirements applicable in China (boiler regulations, pressure vessel standards, environmental protection legislation).

Ÿ   Professional proficiency in both English and Mandarin Chinese.