• Senior Management
• China - Anhui

Our client is a Sino-European industrial joint venture developing and manufacturing high-quality engineered conveying components and solutions for the food & beverage, packaging, automation and logistics sectors. The European shareholder contributes global market access, product technology, engineering standards and industry know-how. The Chinese shareholder contributes established manufacturing capabilities, local supply-chain resources and deep knowledge of the domestic market.

The company is entering a decisive integration and scale-up phase. Its priorities are to align governance and operating processes with the Group, complete technology and product localization, strengthen industrial performance and capacity, and accelerate profitable commercial growth in China.

Talent Fishers is seeking a pragmatic, hands-on and high-integrity General Manager to serve as the JV's senior executive in China. The position carries full P&L accountability within the strategy, budget and delegated authorities approved by the JV Board. The General Manager will lead the local organization, ensure effective cooperation between the European Group and the Chinese shareholder, and convert the JV's industrial and commercial potential into sustainable growth, cash generation and operational excellence.

Location: Anhui Province, China    |    Reporting: JV Board    |    Travel: Frequent domestic and periodic European travel

 

 

 

1. Strategy, P&L and governance - Translate shareholder strategy into a three-year business plan, annual budget and KPI-based execution roadmap. Own revenue, margin, EBITDA, cash flow, working capital, CAPEX and overall business performance.
2. Board and shareholder alignment - Provide concise, accurate and timely forecasts, business reviews, risk assessments and decision papers. Establish a clear management cadence, delegated authorities and escalation process, and resolve cross-shareholder issues constructively.
3. Integration and organization - Lead the JV integration and transformation agenda, preserving valuable local capabilities while implementing Group standards, controls and ways of working. Define the organization, accountabilities and objectives; recruit, develop and hold the management team accountable.
4. Industrial operations - Lead plant operations, capacity expansion and production ramp-up. Deliver safety, quality, delivery, productivity and cost targets; govern CAPEX, production-line commissioning, maintenance, continuous improvement and operational risk management.
5. Supply chain and localization - Strengthen planning, procurement, inventory management, supplier qualification and local sourcing. Build a resilient, cost-competitive supply chain without compromising product quality, traceability or Group-approved specifications.
6. Technology transfer and product localization - Act as the primary business interface with European engineering and R&D. Ensure disciplined transfer of drawings, specifications, change control, prototypes, validation, qualification and technical documentation, while protecting intellectual property and Group standards.
7. Commercial development - Build and execute the China go-to-market plan by segment, key account and channel. Develop OEMs, end users and commercial partners; lead major negotiations, pricing and pipeline reviews; improve revenue quality and gross margin.
8. Group commercial coordination - Coordinate closely with Group sales and marketing for product positioning, market intelligence and opportunities outside China. Ensure transparent account ownership, consistent pricing principles and avoidance of channel conflict.
9. Finance, systems and compliance - Strengthen budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, ERP-based reporting and internal controls. Ensure compliance with Chinese legal, tax, labor, environmental, EHS and corporate requirements.
10. External representation - Represent the JV professionally with shareholders, government authorities, customers, suppliers and industry partners. Build the company's reputation as a reliable, technically credible and ethical long-term partner.

 

 

1. Complete a fact-based 100-day diagnostic and obtain Board approval of the integration roadmap, organization, three-year plan and annual budget.
2. Establish transparent governance, decision rights, monthly performance reporting and a disciplined KPI review process across all functions.
3. Deliver an industrial capacity and CAPEX roadmap; stabilize and ramp critical product lines; complete required product validation and quality alignment with the European Group.
4. Strengthen on-time delivery, quality, productivity, supplier performance, inventory discipline and working-capital management.
5. Build a focused China commercial plan, key-account pipeline and channel model, supported by clear pricing and margin management.
6. Build a capable, accountable local leadership team and a collaborative culture between the China organization, the European Group and the Chinese shareholder.

 

 

1. Education - Bachelor's degree or above in engineering, industrial management, operations, business or a related discipline. An MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification is an advantage
2. Leadership experience - At least 12 years of progressive experience in industrial manufacturing, including a minimum of five years as General Manager, Managing Director, Business Unit Head or equivalent, with full P&L and cross-functional responsibility.
3. China and international environment - Proven success in a Sino-foreign JV, multinational industrial company or comparable cross-border environment in China. Experience in post-acquisition integration, plant transformation, green-field development or scale-up is strongly preferred.
4. Balanced business profile - Credible operational and technical understanding combined with demonstrated commercial and business-development capability. The ideal candidate is neither a purely sales-led executive nor solely a plant manager.
5. Industrial and technology experience - Practical exposure to industrialization, production ramp-up, supplier development, technology transfer, product localization, quality systems and CAPEX governance.
6. Stakeholder management - Strong record of working with boards, shareholders and overseas headquarters, balancing global standards with China-market realities while building trust with local managers and employees.
7. Languages - Fluent Mandarin and fluent business English, both written and spoken, including the ability to conduct executive meetings and prepare Board-level documentation.
8. Mobility and systems - Willing to be based in Anhui and travel frequently. Strong command of business analysis and ERP-based management reporting; SAP experience is an advantage.
9. Sector experience preferred - Engineered industrial components, conveying systems, food & beverage, packaging, automation, logistics or other technically demanding B2B manufacturing sectors.

 

 

1. High integrity, loyalty to the company and respect for agreed governance.
2. Pragmatic, hands-on, accountable and strongly results oriented.
3. Decisive and able to act with speed while escalating material risks transparently.
4. Structured, analytical and able to synthesize complex issues into clear priorities and decisions.
5. Strong people developer who builds capable teams, sets high standards and creates accountability.
6. Culturally intelligent, collaborative and resilient, with the diplomacy required in a joint-venture environment.

 

 

 

Qualified candidates are invited to apply through www.talent-fishers.com on the candidates/jobs page, under the “GM China” position. Applications may also be sent to sarah.zhang@talent-fishers.com.

Suitable candidates will be contacted directly by Talent Fishers.

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