General Manager, China Operations

RMA Group, headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, is a multi-sector group with over 9000 employees and an operational presence in 16 countries. For 40 years, we have developed enduring partnerships to support the needs of our clients, underpinned by the core values of innovation, integrity, and endurance. Through its various businesses including RMA Automotive, Global Fleet Sales, Comin Asia, and Express Food Group (EFG), RMA Group has established itself as the partner of choice for leading automotive, equipment, engineering services, and food brands in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Overview of the Role

The General Manager, China Operations is the senior-most representative of RMA Group in China and serves as the Groups face in China with OEMs, suppliers, financial institutions, authorities, and strategic partners.

The role transforms the China Representative Office into a strategic growth platform and establishes China as a key engine for OEM engagement, business development, sourcing, technology scouting, financing, and complex project execution. The position combines strategic leadership, commercial development, operational oversight, governance responsibility, and talent building to align China operations with global and divisional objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Platform Development

• Establish and lead RMAs legal entity in the PR China, including hiring and overseeing all China personnel
• Define and execute China strategy aligned with Group and divisional priorities
• Build a sustainable operating and income model for the China office
• Position RMA as a credible global partner for Chinese OEMs, retailers, mining partners, and overseas investors
• Develop relationships with Chinese investors and operators across RMA markets
• Establish a focused Technology Scouting service for Group divisions
• Develop, with Group Procurement, a strategic sourcing approach and vendor qualification programs
• Identify and develop new revenue streams linked to OEM programs, exports, imports, and sourcing

OEM Engagement & Business Development

• Identify, acquire, and strengthen brand and OEM relationships (Chinese and international OEMs based in China)
• Lead OEM distribution negotiations and partnership development
• Ensure competitive buying conditions and develop trade financing structures with OEMs
• Build relationships with domestic dealer groups and modifiers to enable product import and sales into China
• Engage with Ford China and other key OEM stakeholders as required
• Accelerate export programs in coordination with China-based supply chains
• Represent RMA in high-level commercial and strategic discussions
• Drive brand and technology scouting to unlock opportunities for RMA markets

Procurement, Engineering & Project Execution

• Coordinate and support Group procurement from China
• Strengthen sourcing quality, cost competitiveness, and lead-time performance
• Oversee supplier development, QA, engineering support, and vendor onboarding
• Lead complex, locally executed projects (testing, validation, audits)
• Build scalable processes across business development, sourcing, engineering, and OEM interaction

Financing & Institutional Engagement

• Establish extended credit structures with China-based suppliers
• Develop and manage relationships with:
• Chinese financial institutions
• Asian Infrastructure Development Bank
• Export-Import Bank of China (China Exim Bank)
• China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation (Sinosure)
• Structure financing solutions to support trade, sourcing, and OEM programs

Governance & Organization

• Lead all China-based activities (Business Development, Procurement, STA/Engineering, Administration)
• Act as legal and commercial representative of RMA in China within delegated authority
• Ensure compliance with local laws, regulations, and internal governance
• Manage external stakeholders including government bodies, industrial parks, legal advisors, and partners
• Build and lead a high-performing local team; define roles, standards, and performance expectations
• Coach and develop talent aligned with RMA values and act as cultural bridge to global teams

Background and Experience

Experience

• Senior leadership experience in China within Automotive and/or Industrial OEM environments
• Proven OEM engagement, business development, or regional operational leadership
• Experience in sourcing, manufacturing, or engineering environments preferred
• Cross-border trade and export/import program familiarity advantageous

Skills & Attributes

• Strategic and commercially driven leader
• Credible at C-level with OEMs and multinational partners
• Entrepreneurial builder with strong team leadership capability
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• Fluent Mandarin with professional-level English
• Comfortable operating across Chinese and international corporate cultures

This role offers high autonomy, direct access to Group leadership, and the opportunity to build and scale RMA Groups China platform while shaping how the Group engages with OEMs, overseas investors, and suppliers in the worlds second-largest market.

RMA Group is an equal opportunity employer, with a diverse group of colleagues globally representing different cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs. Our values of Innovation, Integrity, and Endurance are embedded in what we do, and we welcome applicants who are committed to respecting diversity of thought and living our values on a day-to-day basis.