Michael Lee
Hong Kong
Summary
Experienced with operational leadership, focusing on optimizing processes and improving efficiency. Utilizes strategic planning and cross-functional collaboration to drive organizational success. Strong understanding of team dynamics and change management to ensure smooth operations.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President, Operations of Ryobi Asia
Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (TTI)
02.2020 - Current
- Report to Group Executive Director; oversee 2 Asia’s manufacturing facilities with 6,000+ employees across Dongguan (China) and CuChi (Vietnam) – 2025 H1 sales exceeded budget by 13% (FYE USD1.3B).
- Led Industry 4.0 transformation (cognitive robotics, automation, IIoT) to build smart manufacturing hubs, driving 15% productivity improvement while scaling business.
- Managed matrix organization with 8 functional directors covering manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, quality, logistics, and operational excellence.
- Collaboration with cross BU and cross functions leaders to develop 5-year operational strategy (cost optimization, automation roadmaps, AI-enabled manufacturing) aligned with group growth targets.
- Own full P&L accountability, budgeting, and monthly performance reviews with Group Executives; implement continuous improvement, VAVE initiatives and define operational KPIs.
- As Operations Director role: Led crisis management team to have a quick adaption for 50% COVID-driven demand surge in 2020 by building 20 production lines in 21 days, delivering 100% of incremental orders.
- Deployed cognitive robotic systems (data collection/cloud integration) and e-factory real-time monitoring, cutting DPPM by 100% (zero escapes) and rework costs by 60%.
- Implemented Lean/JIT manufacturing, increasing OEE through line efficiency optimization and reduced unscheduled downtime.
- Built talent pipelines via campus recruitment, graduate training programs, and high-potential employee development.
- Hong Kong-listed (Hang Seng Index) global leader in power tools, industrial equipment & floor care (50,000+ employees, 39 global facilities); 2023 revenue USD13.7B (39.5% gross margin)
- Progressive Leadership Roles (Operations Director, Ryobi PRC/Indonesia → Senior Operations Director of Asia → Vice President, Operations of Asia)
Managing Director, CBU (Asia Pacific)
Aptiv Electric Systems Co. Ltd.
08.2016 - 06.2019
- As CBU Managing Director: Report to APAC EDS Vice President; oversee 7 key automotive clients and 4 China plants + 2 sales offices. 2018 new business bookings exceeded USD150M budget by 133% (USD350M lifetime revenue) via NEV-focused strategy with AION and NIO.
- Led vendor due diligence, manufacturing footprint expansion, and equipment investment; defined 5-year business growth plans (market share targets, automation roadmaps) and owned CBU P&L/budgeting.
- As Jiangmen Plant Managing Director: Led 2,500-employee facility (2,200 operators); delivered 6% revenue over-performance (USD175M vs. budget USD165M) while cutting manufacturing costs by 20% (OEE/labor efficiency gains).
- Achieved Grade A supplier status with GAC FCA; implemented Lean/JIT manufacturing and activity-based costing to mitigate production volume fluctuations.
- Reduced employee attrition by 40% via culture-building initiatives; fostered government and OEM stakeholder relationships.
- Global mobility technology leader (automotive electrical distribution, active safety, autonomous driving) serving new energy vehicle (NEV) OEMs
- Progressive Leadership Roles (Managing Director, Jiangmen Plant → Managing Director, CBU (Asia Pacific))
Senior Manager, Manufacturing & Operations
Johnson Electric International Limited
10.2012 - 07.2016
- Report to Asia Manufacturing General Manager; oversee 3,300+ direct/indirect staff (Shenzhen plant) for Engine & Transmission/Actuator & Switches BUs.
- Grew BU revenue from USD165M to USD225M and production volume from 45M to 65M motors while cutting labor costs by 15% and production overhead by 20% (automation + continuous improvement).
- Increased OEE from 70% to 82.5% via Lean/JIT implementation, line efficiency optimization, and reduced unscheduled downtime.
- Led new production facility setup in China; ensured process capability (CpK ≥1.67, target ≥2.0) and compliance with ISO9001/IATF16949/ISO14001 standards.
- Managed quality control (in-process PPM reduction, 8D customer complaint resolution) and passed VDA6.3 customer audits; optimized inventory levels and logistics expenditures.
- Hong Kong-listed global manufacturer of motors, actuators & switches (38,000 employees, 24 countries); 2015 revenue USD2.2B (2.4M motors/actuators daily)
- Progressive Leadership Roles (Manager, Manufacturing → Senior Manager, Manufacturing & Operations)
Director, China NPD & Operations
Greentech Automotive Inc.
01.2007 - 09.2012
- As Director, China NPD & Operations: Report to US CEO; managed 80-person team across China/Hong Kong; established R&D and production facilities, managed full product lifecycle (Industrial Design, Engineering Specification, CAD Design, Prototyping, Pilot production).
- Oversaw vehicle homologation/type-approval for global markets; led merger/acquisition with Greentech Automotive and EuAuto Technology Limited with secured investment funding.
- As Business Development & Marketing Director: Built global distribution networks across 18 countries; assisted in distributor 4S center setup and led homologation processes.
- As General Manager, Technical & Operations: supervised 20-person technical team; implemented ERP systems and knowledge databases; aligned product designs with ISO/BSI/EU/US/Canada standards.
- US/Hong Kong-based EV manufacturer (MyCar pure electric vehicles) with global distribution (Europe, NA, SE Asia)
- Progressive Leadership Roles (General Manager, Technical & Operations → Business Development & Marketing Director → Director, China NPD & Operations)
General Manager
Paterson Simons & Co. (Overseas) Ltd.
01.2005 - 12.2006
- Reported to the Board; directed a 15-person cross-regional consulting team (HK/Shanghai) with full P&L accountability for the company’s overall operations.
- Directed China market strategy and operational footprint for 2 Italian industrial clients (Italcar, Vimec), including end-to-end manufacturing plant and procurement office setup.
- Led new industrial parts and components R&D initiatives and oversaw HR talent recruitment for client and internal operations.
- Managed cross-functional collaboration (administration, finance, IT) with clients’ global head offices to align China operations with international standards.
- International manufacturing & industrial consulting firm (HK/Shanghai offices), specializing in overseas clients’ China market entry, manufacturing setup, procurement localization, and product R&D / homologation
General Manager, Business Development
Ekpac China Ltd.
03.1993 - 12.2004
- Reported to the Group Chairman; led cross-regional teams covering Greater China and Europe, owning divisional P&L accountability and end-to-end business development for multiple engineering/industrial business units (CBUs).
- Formulated and executed short/long-term strategic plans for industrial equipment market entry; conducted due diligence on vendors (product quality, operations, after-sales engineering services) and supplier selection.
- Led product homologation and type-approval processes with Hong Kong Transport Department and Chinese regulatory bodies for overseas engineering/industrial products to enter Greater China markets.
- Assisted international manufacturing vendors in Mainland China factory setup and engineering project implementation; managed intellectual property (IP/patent/copyright protection for industrial technology and products.
- Built and managed regional distribution networks for engineering/industrial equipment; formulated sales budgets, market audits and product development strategies aligned with APAC market engineering needs.
- Organized technical and sales training programs for internal teams and dealer frontline specialists; oversaw after-sales engineering services and spare parts management for global industrial equipment vendors.
- Multinational industrial holding group (300+ employees, APAC focus) – distributes heavy industrial/engineering equipment, renewable energy products and medical technology across Greater China/Europe with subsidiaries in HK, Mainland China, Taiwan, Monaco and Sweden
- Progressive Leadership Roles (Marketing Executive → Division Manager → Group Marketing Manager → General Manager, Business Development)
Assistant Sales Manager
PC Group (Quebec, Canada / Hong Kong)
07.1989 - 03.1993
- Reported to the Sales Manager; led a 3-person sales team in Hong Kong, with dual regional responsibilities for Canada and Hong Kong markets.
- Built Hong Kong’s sales operation from scratch, developing retail distribution channels across key computer and electronics industrial hubs.
- Implemented targeted sales and marketing strategies to drive market awareness and revenue growth for computer hardware manufacturing products, with a focus on operational efficiency and channel scalability.
- HK-headquartered computer hardware manufacturing group with production facilities in Taiwan and Mainland China
- Progressive Roles (Sales Executive, Canada; Assistant Sales Manager, Hong Kong)
Education
Ph.D. - Business Administration (Management)
University of Macau
Macau06-2030
Master of Science - Knowledge Management
Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong12.2007
Bachelor of Social Science - Economics
University of Ottawa
Ottawa, Canada06.1990
Skills
- Manufacturing operations
- Engineering processes
- Strategic planning
- Industry 40 adaptation
- Innovation
- Organization learning
- Process Improvement
- Succession planning
- Crisis management
Affiliations
- Chartered Management Institution, UK Fellow
- The Institution of Engineering and Technology, UK Member
- Behavior and Knowledge Engineering Research Member, HK Member
Timeline
Vice President, Operations of Ryobi Asia
Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (TTI)
02.2020 - Current
Managing Director, CBU (Asia Pacific)
Aptiv Electric Systems Co. Ltd.
08.2016 - 06.2019
Senior Manager, Manufacturing & Operations
Johnson Electric International Limited
10.2012 - 07.2016
Director, China NPD & Operations
Greentech Automotive Inc.
01.2007 - 09.2012
General Manager
Paterson Simons & Co. (Overseas) Ltd.
01.2005 - 12.2006
General Manager, Business Development
Ekpac China Ltd.
03.1993 - 12.2004
Assistant Sales Manager
PC Group (Quebec, Canada / Hong Kong)
07.1989 - 03.1993
Bachelor of Social Science - Economics
University of Ottawa
Ph.D. - Business Administration (Management)
University of Macau
Master of Science - Knowledge Management
Hong Kong Polytechnic University