Production Manager at Kitron in Kitong, Sabah, Malaysia

About Kitron

Kitron is a leading Scandinavian Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) company, delivering improved flexibility, cost efficiency, and innovation power through the value chain. The company has operations in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, India, China, Malaysia and the United States. With 2500 highly skilled employees, Kitron manufactures and delivers anything from fully assembled electronic circuit boards to complete end - products for customers globally. Related technical services like prototyping, industrialisation, material analysing and test development are also key competencies offered by Kitron.

Our values

---

Location: Senai Deadline: 30 April 2026

Job Description:

1. Productivity Management

• Design, develop and implement production strategies that increase throughput, reduce cost, and improve quality for overall production process.
• Plan, organize and direct production activities to meet or exceed established production schedules and goals in a cost-effective manner, interfacing with other department managers.
• Develop work instructions, control plans and ensure approved manufacturing best practices, and methodologies are being followed.
• Monitor the development of production documentation and ensure compliance with quality procedures, customer requirements and legal standards
• Lead the development of strategies for technological development to drive revenue growth, operational excellence and competitive advantage.
• Ensure effective implementation of efficiency improvement programs and plans, optimizing processes and allocating resources effectively.
• Manage customer communication and evaluate change orders and new requests to ensure technical changes are implemented effectively.

2. Warehouse Management:

• Coordinate and integrate the flow of materials and information among supply chain department.
• Conduct and manage strategic warehouse analysis to identify and recommend opportunities for improving efficiency, effectiveness and capabilities of the warehouse process.
• Identify and define opportunities for process improvements within the warehouse function.
• Continuously improve the movement of materials through production processes and establish key performance metrics and benchmarks relating to warehouse planning and forecasting.
• Oversee material storage, finished goods management, logistics shipping, inventory management and packaging for dispatch in warehouse.

3. Personnel and Performance Management:

• Establish departmental key performance indicators (KPIs) aligned with organizational objectives and develop a reporting framework to measure performance.
• Plan departmental resources, identify training needs and ensure timely implementation of training plans to enhance employee skills and performance.
• Provide leadership and guidance to direct reports, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Develop annual and periodic performance goals for direct reports and ensure departmental activities follow the agreed performance management system.

4. Budget and Resource Management:

• Prepare departmental budgets in alignment with organizational goals and recommend approval by the managing director.
• Ensure that departmental activities are in line with the budget, optimizing resource allocation and maximizing cost-effectiveness.
• Manage investment planning and implementation, including equipment replacement, technology upgrades and skill development initiatives.

5. Facility Management:

• Manage and control factory utilities supply such as electricity, and water without disruptions.
• Ensure efficient and optimal utilization of the facility and shop floor prior to the new product introductions and review the layout plan accordingly with the managing director.
• Develop and execute plans for cost-effective equipment replacements and investments to improve efficiency, reduce downtime and support business growth objectives.
• Monitor KPIs for performance and overall efficiency, conducting regular reviews and analyses to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure the proper disposal of production waste in compliance with government regulations. Review inventories in a timely manner to maintain waste storage and mass balance.
• Conduct regular audits and inspections to identify potential hazards and implement corrective actions as needed.

6. Legal and Safety Compliance

• Ensure all departmental activities comply with legal and safety requirements.
• Propose necessary changes to policies and procedures to ensure compliance.
• Maintain the internal and external company environment in accordance with company environmental management guidelines.

7. Others

• Business Intelligence: Set up expectations and allocate resources to analyze and keep updated on opportunities and trends, leveraging business intelligence to drive strategic decision-making.
• Improvement and Maintenance of Equipment: Develop and prioritize frameworks for cost-effective regular maintenance and repair of equipment, minimizing downtime and component losses. Support equipment improvement initiatives and propose new technologies and methods to optimize equipment utilization and performance.
• Any other ad-hoc tasks as assigned by the managing director.

Requirements:

• Candidate must possess a professional certificate or bachelor’s degree in engineering (Electrical/Electronic/Mechanical) or a related field.
• Proven track record with over 5 years of hands-on experience in operation management roles in the EMS industry.
• Thorough knowledge and hands-on experience in SMT processes and THT processes and other PCB assembly processes, with a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in manufacturing complex electronic assemblies.
• Proven track record of optimizing production processes, improving efficiency, and reducing defects in PCB assembly operations, leveraging advanced manufacturing techniques and continuous improvement methodologies.
• A strategic thinker with the ability to conceptualize and drive forward-thinking quality initiatives, adapting to the evolving needs of a dynamic business environment.
• Capable of hands-on, proactive engagement across end-to-end operations, demonstrating strong analytical skills with meticulous attention to detail to identify root causes and devise targeted solutions for enhancing operational performance through continuous improvement initiatives.
• Exceptional leadership skills, including the ability to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and effectively navigate complex organizational structures.
• Strong communication skills in English, both verbal and written and proficiency in standard office software applications like the Microsoft Office suite.