Head of Engineering， APAC

POSITION SUMMARY

Primary Objective

To provide strategic and technical leadership for the Engineering function across all APAC manufacturing sites and business units for Architectural (AP) and Window Coverings Products (WCP). The role is accountable for ensuring safe, reliable and cost-efficient assets; leading automation and digitisation initiatives; and supporting footprint optimisation (plant openings, consolidations and closures) in line with APAC Supply Chain strategy.

Accountabilities:

Engineering Strategy & Governance

• Develop and implement the APAC Engineering strategy aligned with the APAC Supply Chain priorities and global standards.
• Establish common engineering policies, standards and KPIs across all APAC plants and categories (AP & WCP).
• Ensure compliance with statutory, safety and environmental regulations in each operating country.

Asset & Lifecycle Management

• Own the long-term asset roadmap for APAC, including new installations, moth-balling, overhauls and asset retirement.
• Lead technical due diligence, justification and commissioning of major capex projects.
• Optimise asset reliability, uptime and maintenance cost through robust preventative and predictive maintenance programmes.

Footprint & Transformation Projects

• Provide engineering leadership for plant start-ups, consolidations, expansions and closures, ensuring safe and orderly transitions with minimal disruption to customers.
• Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Finance and HR on footprint decisions, scenario modelling and execution plans.
• Lead technical workstreams for integration of new sites or acquired businesses into the APAC Manufacturing network.

Automation, Digitisation & Innovation

• Drive the automation and digitisation agenda for APAC manufacturing, including robotics, advanced material handling, MES/SCADA upgrades, and Industry 4.0 solutions.
• Identify and deploy technologies that improve throughput, quality, labour productivity and energy efficiency.
• Champion data-driven decision making and standardized engineering systems and tools across the region.

Leadership, Capability & Collaboration

• Provide functional leadership to site engineering managers and teams across APAC, building a strong, connected engineering community.
• Assess current and future capability needs; develop talent, succession and technical training plans.
• Foster a culture of safety, continuous improvement and cross-site collaboration, sharing best practice across AP and WCP operations.

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure engineering practices and projects meet Hunter Douglas safety standards and all local regulatory requirements.
• Maintain robust engineering risk registers, including asset integrity, process safety and business-continuity risks, with clear mitigation plans.
• Lead incident investigations and preventive actions for engineering-related events.

Key customers and stakeholders:

Internal Customers

• Head of Manufacturing APAC WCP & Site Operations Managers: day-to-day partners for plant performance, uptime and project delivery.
• Business Unit Leaders (AP & WCP): ensure engineering supports product roadmap, quality and service levels.
• Procurement, Logistics & Planning Leaders: alignment on capacity, flow, and network optimisation.
• Finance: Capex/ Opex business cases, asset valuation, savings tracking and project governance.
• HSE / Risk & Compliance: machinery safety, regulatory compliance, environmental and process safety.
• IT / Digital / Automation Team: delivery of automation, MES/SCADA and digitisation initiatives.

External Stakeholders

• Equipment OEMs and Engineering Service Providers: design, installation, overhauls, moth-balling and technology upgrades.
• Third-party integrators, automation and digital solution partners: robotics, controls, data and analytics platforms.
• Contractors and Specialist Engineers: project-based support for plant builds/closures and major overhauls.
• Regulators and Local Authorities: compliance with building, safety and environmental standards in each country.
• Key Customers (B2B/B2C via Commercial Teams): indirectly, through meeting service, quality and lead-time expectations enabled by robust assets.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Qualifications & Experience:

• Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial or Mechatronics Engineering (or equivalent).
• Post-graduate qualification in Engineering Management, Operations, or Business (preferred).
• Extensive engineering leadership experience in manufacturing environments, ideally multi-site and multi-country.
• Proven track record leading plant start-ups, expansions, consolidations and closures, including moth-balling and recommissioning of equipment.
• Demonstrated experience with automation, industrial controls and digitisation (e.g. robotics, MES, SCADA, data/analytics in manufacturing).
• Experience managing significant capex portfolios and complex engineering projects.
• Exposure to both architectural / building products and consumer / window coverings or similar light manufacturing desirable.
• Experience working in or with multiple APAC countries strongly preferred.

Key Skills & Attributes:

• Strategic Leadership: Ability to translate strategy into executable engineering roadmaps and standards.
• Operational Excellence: Deep understanding of manufacturing best practices, process optimization, and efficiency improvements.
• Safety & Compliance Expertise: Knowledge of relevant workplace safety protocols, environmental regulations, and risk management strategies.
• Analytical & Financial Acumen: Strong ability to manage budgets, control costs, and improve profitability.
• People Leadership: Experience with fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
• Problem-Solving & Decision-Making: Ability to navigate complex operational challenges and drive effective solutions.
• Stakeholder Management: Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills across operations, supply chain, finance and commercial functions.