David Ong

MD/GM/Ops Director/Plant Manager/Ops Manager @ Unisteel Technology Limited

About

Senior Manufacturing and Operations Executive with 30+ years of experience leading multi-site operations across Malaysia, China, and Singapore. I have full P&L ownership experience (USD 70M) and a proven track record in driving operational turnaround, capacity expansion, cost optimization, and ESG initiatives. Specializing in operational excellence, Lean Manufacturing, Industry 4.0, and OKR-driven performance management, I cascade corporate objectives to plant and functional levels to strengthen execution, accountability, and cross-functional alignment. Key achievements include transforming underperforming operations into profitable business units, expanding Shanghai manufacturing capacity from 4M to 20M pieces per day, achieving zero lost time injuries for over 1,000 consecutive days, and sustaining top quality rankings while maintaining regulatory compliance (ISO 13485, ISO 45001, ISO 14001, RBA, DOSH, DOE). I am passionate about building high-performing teams, developing leadership talent, and driving digital transformation to deliver measurable results and sustainable growth. Fluent in English, Chinese, and Malay, I thrive in global, multicultural environments.

Country

Malaysia

City

Johor Bahru

Industry

Electrical & Electronic Manufacturing

Skill

Operations Management, General Management / GM Leadership, Lean Manufacturing / Operational Excellence, Industry 4.0 / Digital Transformation, Business Turnaround / Transformation, Strategic & Financial Leadership, Operational Excellence, Innovation & Compliance, Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), Digital Transformation, Management, Customer Service, Microsoft Office, Strategic Planning, Negotiation, Business Strategy

Experience

MD/GM/Ops Director/Plant Manager/Ops Manager

Unisteel Technology Limited

2004-5 - 2025-9 · 21 yrs 5 mos

Malaysia Johor Bahru

Unisteel Technology -21Yrs 2004 - Sep 2025 Malaysia Plant-MD/GM Gelang Patah, Johor Bahru Malaysia | 2010 – Sep 2025 (15 Yrs) Transferred to rescue & lead the Malaysia manufacturing plant (900+ employees), serving as the primary authority for P&L, Operations, and Strategic direction. • Full business and operations head for a 900+ employee manufacturing site with USD 70M P&L accountability • Provided strategic leadership across operations, engineering, quality, supply chain, EHS, HR, and finance • Led adoption of OKR-based performance management, cascading objectives from regional leadership to plant, department, and functional levels to strengthen execution, accountability, and transparency • Drove operational turnaround, restoring profitability and improving quality and delivery performance • Led Lean Manufacturing, automation, and Industry 4.0 initiatives to improve productivity, yield, and cost structure • Chaired Integrated Management System (IMS) governance, ensuring compliance with ISO 13485, ISO 45001, ISO 14001, RBA, DOSH, DOE, and labor regulations • Provided executive sponsorship for ESG initiatives, including solar energy deployment, energy efficiency programs, and employee welfare programs • Established MedTech manufacturing capability, enabling entry into regulated medical device markets • Built leadership bench strength through succession planning and leadership development programs China -Shanghai Plant-Plant Manager 2004-2010 (6years) • Led operations for two manufacturing plants (670 employees) with full accountability for production, quality, and delivery • Executed large-scale capacity expansion from 4M to 20M pieces per day to support global growth • Oversaw production, engineering, quality, logistics, and supplier management • Established toll-free manufacturing systems and ensured customs and regulatory compliance