Health Functional Food Manufacturing | Korea

About the Opportunity

A profitable, decade-established Korean manufacturing operation — a wholly-owned subsidiary of an international corporation operating in the health functional food (HFF / 건강기능식품) sector — is seeking a Plant Operations Director / Site General Manager to lead its next phase of growth.

The Korean operation has run successfully for over ten years with a track record of year-over-year throughput expansion and is recognized within the corporate group as a center of excellence for packaging innovation, with technologies developed locally and transferred to sister manufacturing operations internationally. The business primarily serves the Korean domestic market with select global export.

The company is preparing to transition from its current leased premises in Icheon to a newly constructed, fully owned, custom-built single-floor flagship facility in the Incheon/Gimpo area, with operational target within 2027. Land is owned, capital is committed, and architect selection is in progress.

The Role

This is the most senior operations leadership position for the company's Korean manufacturing presence. Reporting to the Regional Operations head, the role spans concurrent steady-state plant management and major capital-project delivery.

Core accountabilities:

Sustain and grow reliable GMP-compliant production output, quality performance, and cost control across the existing operation, including dual-stream activities — turnkey own-brand HFF production for domestic and export markets, plus toll packaging of bulk powders imported from a sister manufacturing site.

Lead site design, construction oversight, equipment commissioning, and qualification of the new Incheon/Gimpo facility.

Manage workforce and operational transition between sites, preserving institutional knowledge and team engagement through the change.

Implement upgraded process flows, higher automation, and modernized product mix at the new facility.

Lead full plant operations across production, quality, engineering, EHS, supply chain, planning, and plant administration.

Candidate Profile

A track record of leading manufacturing operations in HFF (건강기능식품), pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, or food & beverage manufacturing under MFDS GMP, HACCP, or equivalent regulated frameworks.

Demonstrated experience leading at least one prior greenfield site build, major facility relocation, or comparable capital project from design through commissioning.

Demonstrated experience navigating the complexities of leading a Korean workforce within an international organization — balancing local cultural and team needs with global productivity expectations and corporate governance.

Comfort leading automation-led process modernization (operationally credible, not necessarily an Industry 4.0 specialist).

Sufficient career tenure and professional bearing to command credibility with an established mid-career Korean team.

Bachelor's degree minimum (engineering or sciences preferred). Preferred certifications: 식약처 HFF GMP / qualified-person training; Lean / Six Sigma; HACCP / ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000.

Native Korean (mother tongue), with fluent business English and command of manufacturing, GMP, and engineering technical vocabulary.

Logistics Primarily site-based at the Icheon facility, transitioning to the new Incheon/Gimpo site upon commissioning.

Light international travel (international HQ and a US sister site); regular domestic travel.

Competitive compensation package commensurate with experience; relocation support negotiable based on candidate circumstances.

Start date: as soon as possible.