Global General Manager - Laboratory Operations

Job Title: Global General Manager - Laboratory Operations
Location: Hong Kong
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

Client Overview

Our client is a leading global-based laboratory testing and certification organization with a distinguished reputation spanning over six decades. Specializing in comprehensive testing services for both hard goods (e.g., electronics, machinery, automotive components, building materials) and soft goods (e.g., textiles, apparel, footwear, home furnishings), the company operates a global network of accredited laboratories across Europe, Asia and emerging markets. Committed to scientific excellence, regulatory compliance, and client-centric innovation, the organization serves multinational brands, manufacturers, and regulatory bodies worldwide. As part of an ambitious growth and operational transformation strategy, the company seeks a seasoned executive to assume global leadership of its laboratory operations.|

Position Overview

The Global General Manager - Laboratory Operations will serve as the chief operational leader for all laboratory activities worldwide. This critical role is responsible for the end-to-end performance, strategic alignment, technical integrity, commercial viability, and regulatory compliance of the global laboratory network. The successful candidate will drive standardization, scalability, and service excellence across diverse geographies while fostering a culture of scientific rigor, safety, and continuous improvement. This position demands a rare blend of deep technical expertise in complex testing environments, P&L acumen, international regulatory fluency, and transformational leadership capabilities. The role is based in Hong Kong-a strategic hub for APAC operations-with frequent travel to laboratories and key client markets globally.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Global Oversight

• Develop and execute a unified global strategy for laboratory operations aligned with corporate vision and market dynamics.
• Oversee the performance of 15+ laboratories, ensuring consistency in quality, turnaround time, capacity utilization, and client satisfaction.
• Drive cross-regional collaboration to eliminate silos, share best practices, and optimize resource allocation.

Operational Excellence & Technical Governance

• Ensure all laboratories maintain and exceed accreditation standards (ISO/IEC 17025, CPSC, CE, FCC, REACH, CPSIA, etc.) across hard and soft goods domains.
• Establish and enforce global SOPs for testing methodologies, equipment calibration, data integrity, and chain-of-custody protocols.
• Champion digital transformation initiatives (e.g., LIMS modernization, AI-driven analytics, automation) to enhance throughput and reduce human error.
• Implement robust EHS (Environment, Health & Safety) frameworks compliant with local and international regulations.

Commercial & Financial Stewardship

• Own the global P&L for laboratory operations
• Optimize pricing strategies, cost structures, and capital expenditure to improve margins without compromising quality.
• Collaborate with Sales and Marketing to develop new service offerings, enter adjacent markets, and support key account retention/expansion.
• Monitor KPIs including utilization rates, on-time delivery, first-pass yield, client NPS, and cost per test.

Talent & Organizational Development

• Recruit, mentor, and retain world-class technical leaders and scientists across regions.
• Foster a culture of scientific curiosity, ethical conduct, and operational discipline.
• Design career paths and competency frameworks to address evolving skill gaps (e.g., sustainability testing, smart product validation).
• Ensure succession planning for critical lab director roles.
  
  

Stakeholder & Regulatory Engagement

• Serve as the primary liaison with global accreditation bodies (e.g., DAkkS, UKAS, ANAB), regulators (e.g., EU Commission, CPSC, MOCCAE), and industry consortia.
• Represent the company at international forums, technical committees, and standards-setting organizations.
• Manage crisis response for high-profile testing failures, audit findings, or reputational risks.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 20 years of progressive leadership experience in complex, multi-site laboratory environments-preferably within third-party testing, certification, or inspection (TIC) industries.
• Proven track record managing global P&Ls, with demonstrable success in driving profitability, scalability, and operational efficiency.
• Deep technical expertise in both hard goods (e.g., electrical safety, mechanical durability, EMC/EMI, material science) and soft goods (e.g., textile chemistry, flammability, colorfastness, wear testing). Familiarity with consumer product, industrial, and regulatory testing landscapes is essential.
• Extensive knowledge of global regulatory frameworks, including EU directives (CE marking, RoHS, REACH), U.S. CPSC/FDA requirements, China GB standards, and ASEAN/MEA regulations.
• Experience leading large, multicultural teams with fluency in navigating cross-cultural dynamics.
• Strong background in quality management systems, accreditation maintenance (ISO 17025), and audit preparedness.
• Exceptional communication skills-able to articulate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and influence C-suite/board-level decisions.
• Willingness to travel internationally up to 40-50% of the time.

Preferred Attributes

• It is imperative to have prior experience in laboratory leadership operations role within a TIC firm.
• Established relationships with global retailers, brands, or regulatory agencies.
• Experience scaling operations in high-growth emerging markets
• Knowledge of sustainability testing (e.g., carbon footprint, recyclability, chemical stewardship).

What We Offer

• A pivotal role in shaping the future of a globally respected scientific enterprise.
• Competitive compensation package including base salary, performance bonus, equity incentives, and comprehensive benefits.
• Relocation support and expatriate assistance for Hong Kong.
• Access to cutting-edge laboratories, R&D resources, and a legacy of scientific excellence.
• Opportunity to lead a mission-driven organization committed to public safety and product integrity.

Application Process

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a detailed CV and a cover letter outlining their relevant experience in global laboratory leadership, technical scope, and strategic achievements. All applications will be treated with strict confidentiality.

We are also open to semi-retired candidates who are open to another new challenge in their careers.

Our client is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace.