* Role overview
To own and evolve The client’s External Manufacturing strategy
To professionalise, oversee and manage the relationship with existing Manufacturers, giving
longer term visibility and commitment to the Factories
To analyse and determine capacity allocation, Factory mix and regional balance
To anticipate future state business needs, modelled on the growth trajectory and the required
capacity to manufacture, considering both geopolitical implications as well as potential future
joint ownership of key Production Partnerships
To be accountable for The client’s exceptional Quality and Safety Standards across all
External Factories
To be accountable for the ethical behaviour of The client’s Production, as the Brand comes
under increased scrutiny
* Responsibilities
External manufacturing strategy:
Own and evolve The client’s external manufacturing strategy across Southeast Asia, ensuring
the Factory plans support the rapid growth, increase resilience and quality while controlling
costs and Brand standards
Own the relationship with Factory Owners (predominantly Korean-owned), build long-term
plans and explore new manufacturing routes
Analyse and determine capacity allocation, Factory mix and regional balance across the
Manufacturing base (currently Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Indonesia)
Third-party factory performance & governance:
Provide oversight of all third-party Manufacturing Partners, ensuring consistent delivery
against agreed commercial, quality and service expectations, leading a team of in-house
embedded The client specialists in-country reporting in
Establish clear performance frameworks covering Delivery, Quality, Responsiveness and
Continuous Improvement
Lead regular business reviews with key Suppliers and manage escalation of material risks or
performance issues
Production delivery & capacity management:
Ensure Factories deliver On-time, In-full Production aligned to The client’s demand plans and
seasonal peaks
Oversee capacity planning and load balancing across countries and Suppliers to mitigate risk
and avoid bottlenecks
Partner closely with Planning, Logistics and Commercial teams to protect availability for
Wholesale and DTC channels
Cross-functional leadership & stakeholder management:
Act as the senior Manufacturing interface with Product Development, Supply Chain, Finance,
Logistics and the SLT
Be a strong voice inside The client for demanding improvement and organisational change on
aspects which impact the ability to deliver quantity, on time and at the right quality
Translate business strategy into clear Manufacturing priorities and execution plans for
regional teams and Suppliers
Provide clear, data-driven updates on Manufacturing performance, risks and opportunities to
senior leadership
Quality, Testing & Product Standards:
Be accountable for maintaining The client’s exceptional Quality and Safety standards across
all external Factories
Ensure robust inspection, testing and certification processes are in place, including third-party
Testing Partners where required
Drive root-cause analysis and corrective action for quality failures, embedding preventative
controls
Supplier development & continuous improvement
Lead Supplier Capability Development, including Process Standardisation, Training &
Operational Excellence initiatives
Support Factory upgrades in Machinery, Processes and Skills to improve Productivity,
Consistency and Scalability
Encourage a culture of continuous improvement across the external Manufacturing base
Partner with The client Labs, the internal Technology Development team on using latest
Technology in Manufacturing and Sourcing to drive efficiencies and improve quality
Responsible sourcing, ethics & compliance
Ensure all Partner Factories operate in line with The client’s responsible Sourcing, Ethical &
Social Compliance standards
Oversee Factory Audit programmes, remediation plans and ongoing compliance monitoring
across all countries
Stay ahead of evolving Regulatory, Safety and Chemical Compliance requirements impacting
Toy Manufacturing
Cost, margin & commercial impact
Own Manufacturing input to cost management and margin protection, balancing efficiency
with quality & Brand integrity
Partner with Finance and Procurement to evaluate costs, potential investments or loans and
long-term Supplier collaborations, with a view of enabling the Manufacturing Partners to
invest and secure long term production volumes
Regional presence & leadership
Lead and coordinate in-country Manufacturing teams and Partners in Vietnam, Cambodia,
Thailand & Indonesia
Travel regularly within the region to maintain strong Factory relationships and on-the-ground
oversight