The Role
This role anchors project governance, controls, and transparency for major manufacturing capital projects. Acting as a central PMO and project controls leader, the role ensures consistent execution discipline, early risk detection, and decision-ready visibility for senior project and site leadership.

The position balances analytical rigour with pragmatic, site-aware execution.

Location: Bucharest, Romania

Key Responsibilities 

• Design and operate project governance frameworks covering cost, schedule, scope, risk, and benefits
• Establish reporting cadence, dashboards, and performance reviews to track delivery against approved baselines
• Ensure consistent application of project controls standards, templates, and KPIs
• Drive readiness for commissioning and transition to operations, working closely with operational leaders
• Translate project data into clear, actionable insights for senior leaders
• Identify early warning signals and facilitate timely escalation of risks and deviations
• Support structured decision-making through scenario analysis and forward-looking projections
• Partner closely with Project Directors and site teams to reinforce execution discipline
• Act as the interface between site-level delivery and broader portfolio or enterprise standards
• Support capability building in project management and controls practices

Qualifications and Experience

• 10+ years in PMO, project controls, or capital governance roles
• Strong experience in manufacturing environments (FMCG, food, pharma, chemicals)
• Solid command of cost control, scheduling, risk management, and reporting tools
• Pragmatic, delivery-oriented mindset with the confidence to challenge constructively
• Comfortable working with senior engineering and operational stakeholders
• Clear, reliable visibility of project performance at all times
• Reduced delivery surprises through early risk identification
• Strong governance discipline and improved delivery predictability

The Role

We are seeking a high-impact leader to drive the start-up and ramp-up of new manufacturing assets, ensuring the facility reaches design performance safely, reliably, and in the shortest possible time. This role will lead the operational start-up engine across people, processes, systems, and equipment, acting as the bridge between project execution and stable production.

You will be accountable for commissioning integration, readiness, capability building, and performance ramp-up, ensuring smooth handover to operations and building strong confidence with senior stakeholders.

Location: Ireland

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the full start-up and ramp-up strategy, including readiness planning, commissioning integration, trials, and early production phases
• Establish clear performance milestones and ramp-up curves aligned with operational and financial objectives
• Lead recovery planning and corrective actions where performance gaps or delays arise
• Act as the operational anchor during commissioning, ensuring alignment across engineering, quality, and production readiness
• Build and lead a cross-functional start-up team and ensure readiness across operators, technicians, engineers, and support functions
• Own training and qualification plans, including certification pathways, standard work, and technical upskilling
• Coach teams on structured problem solving, performance routines, and continuous improvement
• Ensure operational roles are staffed and trained ahead of start-up to avoid ramp-up constraints
• Drive rapid achievement of design capacity and performance through disciplined performance management routine
• Own key start-up KPIs including OEE, yield, waste, quality, safety, downtime and reliability
• Identify and eliminate early-stage losses through root cause analysis and cross-functional corrective action
• Monitor and manage trade-offs between speed, stability, quality, and cost, ensuring decisions are escalated appropriately when needed
• Ensure readiness of critical plant systems including utilities, automation, maintenance systems, and quality controls
• Drive the integration and adoption of digital manufacturing tools such as MES, SCADA, CMMS, and real-time performance tracking
• Ensure structured handover processes and documentation are completed to support stable long-term operations
• Lead smooth transition to operations, ensuring predictable, repeatable performance and clear ownership post-start-up

Qualifications and Experience

• 10+ years in FMCG manufacturing with strong commissioning / start-up exposure
• Solid knowledge of utilities, process & packaging equipment, automation, and quality systems
• Experience leading ramp-ups for large capital projects
• Familiarity with digital manufacturing tools
• Good understanding of plant economics and key performance drivers
• High-energy leader who thrives in fast-paced start-up environments
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Proven ability to build capability, coach teams, and drive cross-functional alignment

Alcott Global is retained by a leading international industrial company to search for a Head of Indirect Procurement to be based in Germany or Netherlands.

The Head of Indirect Procurement is responsible for leading the global strategy, governance, and execution of sourcing initiatives across all indirect spend categories, including IT, professional services, MRO, facilities, logistics, HR services, marketing, travel, and capital expenditures.

This role drives cost optimization, demand management, supplier performance, risk mitigation, and process standardization across regions and business units. The Director partners closely with Finance, IT, HR, Operations, Legal, and executive leadership to align procurement strategies with enterprise objectives while enhancing transparency, compliance, and value realization.

Key Responsibilities:  

• Develop and implement global category strategies across all indirect spend areas.
• Drive cost optimization, value creation, and demand management initiatives across business functions.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations and strategic supplier contracting.
• Establish strong procurement governance, policies, and compliance frameworks.
• Partner with Finance to support budgeting, forecasting, savings validation, and working capital objectives.
• Collaborate with IT, HR, Marketing, Facilities, and other functional leaders to align sourcing strategies with business needs.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives including RFPs, RFQs, and supplier selection processes.
• Implement supplier performance management programs, including KPIs, SLAs, and scorecards.
• Drive consolidation of suppliers and standardization of services across regions where appropriate.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to supplier concentration, financial stability, cybersecurity, and service continuity.
• Oversee procurement technology platforms (e-sourcing, contract lifecycle management, P2P systems).
• Champion procurement digital transformation and process automation initiatives.
• Lead ESG, sustainability, and responsible sourcing efforts within indirect categories.
• Build and develop a high-performing indirect procurement team.
• Promote best practices in category management, stakeholder engagement, and total cost of ownership analysis.
• Deliver measurable improvements in cost savings, process efficiency, compliance, and service quality.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Finance, or related field required. An MBA or a Master’s degree is an advantage.
• 12+ years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or supply chain leadership roles.
• 5+ years leading indirect procurement teams in a global or multi-site environment.
• Experience managing diverse indirect categories such as IT, professional services, facilities, and MRO.
• Demonstrated success in delivering enterprise-wide cost savings and procurement transformation initiatives.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation expertise.
• Deep understanding of indirect spend categories and supplier markets.
• Experience with procurement systems (SAP, Oracle, Coupa, Ariba, Jaggaer, etc.).
• Strong financial and analytical capabilities, including TCO and cost modeling.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive cross-functional alignment.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and change management skills.
• Experience in global procurement governance and compliance frameworks.

Alcott Global is retained by a leading international industrial company to search for a Head of Strategic Sourcing to be based in Germany or Netherlands.

The Head of Strategic Sourcing is responsible for leading the development and execution of global sourcing strategies across direct and/or indirect spend categories to drive cost optimization, supplier performance, risk mitigation, and long-term value creation. This role partners closely with Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Finance, Quality, and key business stakeholders to ensure sourcing strategies align with organizational goals and support global manufacturing and commercial operations.

The Head will lead strategic supplier negotiations, oversee contract development, drive category management initiatives, and ensure supply continuity across a global supplier network.

Key Responsibilities:  

• Develop and execute global sourcing strategies across assigned spend categories.
• Conduct spend analysis, market assessments, and supplier benchmarking to inform sourcing decisions.
• Drive cost reduction and value creation initiatives through competitive bidding, value analysis, and supplier consolidation.
• Align sourcing strategies with business objectives, manufacturing footprint, and growth initiatives.
• Build and manage strategic supplier relationships to ensure performance in cost, quality, delivery, and innovation.
• Lead supplier selection, evaluation, qualification, and segmentation processes.
• Implement and manage supplier performance scorecards and corrective action plans.
• Lead complex global contract negotiations, including pricing, commercial terms, and risk mitigation provisions.
• Ensure contract compliance and governance across business units and regions.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including geopolitical, financial, and capacity-related risks.
• Develop dual-sourcing and contingency plans to ensure supply continuity.
• Partner with Engineering, Operations, Finance, and Quality to support sourcing decisions and total cost of ownership models.
• Support new product introduction (NPI) and supplier onboarding initiatives.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of sourcing professionals.
• Drive procurement process improvements, standardization, and digital tool adoption.
• Support ESG, sustainability, and responsible sourcing initiatives within the supply base.
• Deliver measurable improvements in cost, working capital, supplier performance, and risk reduction.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Finance, or related field required. An MBA or a Master’s degree is an advantage.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain roles.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing sourcing teams and global supplier portfolios.
• Experience in industrial manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, energy, chemicals, heavy equipment, or related sectors strongly preferred.
• Proven success managing global sourcing strategies across multiple regions (Americas, EMEA, APAC).

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong expertise in category management, supplier negotiations, and contract management.
• Deep understanding of industrial supply markets, manufacturing processes, and supplier economics.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver cost savings, working capital improvements, and value creation.
• Strong financial acumen, including TCO analysis and cost modeling.
• Excellent stakeholder management and ability to influence cross-functional leadership.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and talent development capabilities.
• Knowledge of ERP and sourcing tools (SAP, Oracle, Coupa, Ariba, Jaggaer, etc.).
• Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills.

Alcott Global is retained by a leading international medical devices company to search for a Head of Supply Chain – ASEAN & South Asia to be based in Singapore.

The Head of Supply Chain – ASEAN & South Asia is responsible for leading and optimizing end-to-end supply chain operations across the ASEAN and South Asia region. This role will drive supply chain strategy, ensure operational excellence, improve service levels, manage cost efficiencies, and build scalable processes to support business growth across multiple markets.

The successful candidate will oversee key functions including demand planning, supply planning, logistics, warehousing, and distribution while partnering closely with commercial, finance, and operations teams.

Key Responsibilities:  
Supply Chain Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute the regional supply chain strategy aligned with business objectives and growth plans.
• Act as the regional supply chain leader and key business partner to commercial and operational stakeholders.
• Lead, mentor, and develop supply chain teams across ASEAN and South Asia markets.

Demand & Supply Planning

• Oversee demand forecasting and supply planning processes to ensure optimal inventory levels and product availability.
• Drive Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) cadence and cross-functional alignment.
• Manage supply constraints, risk scenarios, and allocation planning when needed.

Logistics, Warehousing & Distribution

• Manage inbound and outbound logistics operations across the region, ensuring cost-effective and timely delivery.
• Optimize warehouse footprint, distribution models, and 3PL partnerships.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations, customs, and import/export requirements.

Customer Service

• Lead regional customer service operations to ensure high service levels and customer satisfaction across ASEAN and South Asia.
• Oversee end-to-end order management and ensure seamless coordination between Sales, Planning, and Logistics teams.
• Monitor and drive improvement of key service KPIs, including OTIF, order accuracy, and customer issue resolution.

Inventory & Cost Optimization

• Drive working capital improvements through inventory optimization initiatives.
• Monitor and reduce supply chain costs, including freight, storage, and obsolescence.
• Lead continuous improvement projects to streamline operations and improve efficiency.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Identify supply chain risks and develop mitigation plans (supplier disruption, geopolitical risk, regulatory changes, etc.).
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Support business continuity planning and crisis response when disruptions occur.

Process Improvement & Digitalization

• Lead initiatives to improve supply chain processes, governance, and performance reporting.
• Drive adoption of planning tools, ERP enhancements, and supply chain digital transformation.
• Establish KPIs and dashboards to track performance across the region.

Qualifications:

• MBA or Master’s degree in Supply Chain / Operations Management.
• Experience working in high-growth or developing markets.
• Exposure to ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Dynamics) and advanced planning tools.
• Lean / Six Sigma or continuous improvement certification.
• Strategic thinking with strong operational execution capability
• Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional leadership
• Commercial mindset with ability to balance service and cost
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to thrive in ambiguous, fast-changing environments
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills

JD - Regional COO Asia and ME.docx