COO - placed in Shanghai

Are you a leader with strong "Trading DNA," high EQ, and the strategic weight to transform supply chains? We are looking for a visible, high-impact Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead our Asian operations from Shanghai, China, with significant travel to Vietnam and Denmark.

As our new COO, you will become an integral part of the Executive Management Team (EMT), driving our journey from reactive firefighting to proactive, data-driven operational excellence.

The What: The Role & Purpose

As COO – Asia, your mission is to unite our organization across borders and instill a "Supplier of the Year" mindset. You will navigate the sweet spot of global trading: balancing our customers' demands for competitive pricing with our suppliers' need for standards, quality, and compliance.

You will lead our teams in Shanghai and Ho Chi Minh City, anchoring our Asian execution firmly in our corporate culture, while upgrading our supply chain to be fit for the future - with a particular focus on rebuilding and stabilizing our Vietnam setup.

The Why: Key Responsibilities

• Drive Operational Excellence: Lead strategic sourcing with a data-driven approach, refine SOPs for scalability, and implement Lean/Six Sigma methodologies at suppliers to eliminate waste.
• Elevate Supplier Partnerships: Move from transactional interactions to long-term, trust-based partnerships. Secure watertight agreements to prevent claims and execute technical "Cost-Out" initiatives.
• Lead and Develop People: Coach middle management from "hands-on drift" to effective leadership. Focus on employee development, transparency, and two-way feedback to improve retention.
• Bridge the Distance: Overcome the collaboration challenges of being based in Shanghai while working closely with the remaining EMT group in Denmark and cross-functional matrix partners (Finance, Aftersales, Compliance).

The How: Your Profile

We are looking for a balanced profile with high analytical intelligence to drive strategy, paired with high emotional intelligence to build lasting relationships across cultures.

Your Experience:

• Trading DNA: You have proven experience from a trading environment (essential) and a strong technical understanding ("industry pondus") to command respect from factory owners.
• Academic Background: Master’s Degree in Business, Engineering, or Supply Chain.
• Technical Toolbox: Strong economic sense, data literacy (KPI-driven), and hands-on experience with Lean and Six Sigma.
• Cultural Match: Deep understanding of Western/European corporate culture, combined with intercultural mastery to translate "Western thinking" into "Asian execution."

What We Offer:

• Strategic Leadership: The opportunity to manage and scale a complex matrix organization across Shanghai, Vietnam, and Denmark.
• Cultural & Professional Impact: A unique leadership challenge where you will bridge European corporate strategy with local Asian operational execution.
• Structured Onboarding: A thorough onboarding process based on our philosophy: "right onboarding, slow start, but a certain pace" – ensuring you are fully aligned with our values before executing at full speed.

Are you ready to make a global impact.

If you have the weight to influence both Asian factory owners and a European executive team, we want to hear from you.

Upload your CV via link. The recruitment process is carried out in collaboration with HAYS in Shanghai. For initial inquiries regarding the position, please contact Tradepoint’s CHRO, Mette Fabrin, at +45 3120 9379 or via email at [email protected]