Job description

MANAGING DIRECTOR, ASIA MANUFACTURING
Shanghai/Shenzhen, China


OVERVIEW

Cowboy is a Belgian start-up that is developing innovative electric bikes for urban riders. Cowboy’s main goal is to improve urban mobility and take commuters to their destination in a more enjoyable, sustainable, and efficient manner.

Founded in 2017 by entrepreneurs Adrien Roose, Karim Slaoui, and Tanguy Goretti, Cowboy is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. Cowboy is the winner of the Eurobike 2017, the Red-Dot bicycle design award 2018, and the Red-Dot “Best of the Best” award for the Cowboy 2.

With traffic congestion plaguing metropolitan areas, electric bikes are proving to be the fastest means of transportation, beating cars and ground public transport. Cowboy’s vision is to elevate the daily commute to the next level in terms of speed, comfort, and freedom of movement around the city. Cowboy enhances the riding experience by unifying intelligent technology, delightful design and meticulous customer service.

In April 2019, Cowboy launched its third model, the Cowboy 3, where it is sold in 8 countries (Germany, France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom). In May 2021, Cowboy unveiled its fourth-generation electric bike, the Cowboy 4.

In July 2020, Cowboy raised €23 Million from international investors (including Exor Seeds, the early-stage investment arm of Exor, Isomer Capital, Future Positive Capital, and Index Ventures) in the Series B round. Cowboy plans to recruit 30+ new talent in the next six months, scale operations, and expand its footprint across Europe through its Test Ride and Mobile Service networks.

THE ROLE

As the Managing Director, Asia Manufacturing, you will have overall responsibility for the performance of all Asian suppliers contributing to Cowboy products. Your task will be to recruit, set up, and lead a local organization that will be focused on getting our suppliers to adhere to our milestones and objectives. You will notably partner with our Director, Asia Manufacturing to define the objectives, strategies, and tools to deliver.

You will contribute to the definition of objectives, strategies, and procedures set forth by the HQ team, notably the global leads for supplier preparation, quality, procurement, and supply chain. You will then execute the set strategies in Asia per their guidelines.

You will report to the VP of Manufacturing in Cowboy HQ.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES INCLUDE

• Identify and audit potential new supplier candidates
• Organize project kick-offs to explain our project targets and methodology in the areas of development, quality, and supply
• Get suppliers to plan their product launch including but not limited to considerations of drawing, tooling, performance validation, equipment procurement and installation, capacity, hiring, line trials, etc.
• Get suppliers to track their preparation progress and report on it
• Get suppliers to adhere to our quality management system with the preparation of appropriate control plans, inspection standards, etc.
• Judge and influence the production process to obtain the best cost and quality as well as the appropriate capacity
• Obtain timely responses for our engineering, quality, and supply chain teams on matters of drawing, evaluation, parts conformity to drawing, delivery dates, approval deadlines, etc.
• Continuously promote innovations and improvements, ensuring on-time preparation leading to the successful introduction of parts into mass production
• Carry out supplier audits on a regular basis to assess supplier production systems and ensure that agreed processes are being followed
• Support crisis management for either delivery or quality issues

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s degree in engineering or Business
• 15+ years relevant experience
• Fluent in both Chinese (native level) and English
• Experience planning engineering projects (from concept to production)
• Ability to lead suppliers through the development process by implementing effective and structured communication tools
• The person should be based in China (preferably Shanghai or Shenzhen)
• Willing to travel to suppliers (50% of the time) around China and Taiwan

PERSONALITY

• Results driven, proactive, problem solver
• Tenacious in nature and take deadlines very seriously
• Customer mindset
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Entrepreneurial mindset and a willingness to get your hands dirty
• Ability to work and thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Seeking quality and efficiency in your activity by creating and implementing standardized work methods

FEATURES & BENEFITS

• Highly competitive package
• Opportunity to become one of the key employees of a fast-growing start-up with an open, respectful, and fun company culture
• Having a real impact on the company’s growth and evolution
• Working with people who love what they do every day

INTERESTED

We are committed to submitting suitable candidates for this vacancy to our client ASAP, for more information contact GEORGIE at PER Recruitment or send your CV at [email protected]