General Manager, Fabrics Operations China at Valmet in Tianjin

Job description

• Shape the Future of Industrial Manufacturing as General Manager, Fabrics China Operations
• Imagine leading an established manufacturing operation where your decisions directly influence business performance, operational excellence, and long-term growth. In this role, you will take full responsibility for Valmet's Fabrics operations in Tianjin, leading production, people, safety, quality, and profitability. You will play a key role in driving continuous improvement while building a high-performing organization capable of meeting evolving customers’ needs. This is an opportunity for an experienced industrial leader who enjoys tackling operational complexity, developing teams, and creating lasting business impact.
• To succeed in this role
• To be successful, you bring a strong track record of leading industrial manufacturing operations and improving performance through engaged leadership, operational discipline, and continuous improvement. You are comfortable managing complexity and balancing business objectives with customer expectations, employee engagement, and operational realities. This role is particularly suited to leaders from industrial manufacturing businesses where flexibility, technical expertise, and operational excellence matter more than highly standardized, high-volume production environments.
• We also expect you to align with Valmet’s Leadership Principles—practical behaviours that guide how we lead, collaborate, and succeed together:
• Take accountability – Act with ownership, set clear expectations, and follow through
• Lead with courage – Champion change, try bold ideas, and learn quickly
• Build on trust – Listen to understand, be open, and create psychological safety
• Collaborate for growth – Work across boundaries, value diverse perspectives, and focus on customer value

Responsibilities

• Lead the Tianjin manufacturing operation to ensure safety, quality, delivery performance, productivity, and customer satisfaction targets are consistently achieved.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across production processes, equipment utilization, workforce efficiency, and operational performance.
• Manage the site's operational budget, including labor, materials, inventory, and maintenance costs, while improving overall cost competitiveness and profitability.
• Develop and inspire a team of managers and employees, creating a strong culture of accountability, collaboration, capability development, and operational excellence.
• Partner closely with global and regional leadership teams, product management, sales, R&D, quality, HSE, suppliers, universities, government authorities, and employee representatives to support sustainable business growth.
• Serve as Site Manager for the Tianjin facility, representing the company with local authorities and key external stakeholders.

Requirements

• Extensive leadership experience in manufacturing and industrial operations with accountability for production performance, people management, safety, quality, and financial results.
• Strong background from industrial manufacturing sectors .
• Proven experience managing operations where technical complexity, operational flexibility, product customization, and continuous improvement are critical to success.
• Demonstrated success leading organizational change and delivering measurable improvements in productivity, quality, safety, and profitability.
• Strong business acumen combined with excellent stakeholder management, negotiation, employee relations, and communication skills.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, quality management, environmental management, occupational health and safety, and labor-related practices.
• Professional proficiency in English.

Skills

Required

• Leadership
• Production performance management
• People management
• Safety management
• Quality management
• Financial management
• Continuous improvement
• Stakeholder management
• Negotiation
• Employee relations
• Communication
• Business acumen

Benefits

• Competitive pay, comprehensive insurance, and a vibrant workplace culture filled with team-building events and employee clubs. Plus, take advantage of our flexible internal mobility program to grow your career your way!
• At Valmet, you'll join a global technology and services company where operational excellence, sustainability, and continuous development are part of everyday life. You'll work alongside experienced professionals in an international environment and have the opportunity to make a visible impact on business performance, customer success, and the future development of the Tianjin operation.