Overview:
General Manager, China
Reports to: CEO | Location: Beijing/Shanghai (on-site)
Position Objective
Shape Promega's 10-20 year future in China's life sciences market. See patterns and opportunities before they're obvious, build strategic relationships that endure decades, and steward a high-performing team through transformation. This is about envisioning what Promega China can become-not executing a predetermined plan.
You see what's coming (recognize regulatory/market shifts before announced), think in generations (build for 20 years, not quarters), hold genuine uncertainty (effective without clear precedent), and name what needs saying (surface tensions early).
Core Responsibilities
* Strategy & Growth: Anticipate market evolution in life sciences/diagnostics; position Promega ahead of shifts. Drive growth through direct sales, marketing efforts, distributors, and collaborations. Use new tools and technologies, including artificial intelligence for pipeline/competitive analysis; apply human judgment to KOL relationships and strategic deals.
* Regulatory Mastery: Navigate NMPA, customs, and government relationships. Make judgment calls when no playbook exists. Ensure compliance while advising corporate on China regulatory strategy. Localization of manufacturing & supply chain resilience and assess feasibility of local fill-finish, kit assembly, or co-manufacturing partnerships when necessary.
* Operational Leadership: Assess local manufacturing/co-manufacturing feasibility. Manage P&L with sound financial discipline. Use AI for analysis; apply judgment to strategic investments. Drive cross-functional alignment to enable a scalable "China-ready" supply chain for priority product lines.
* Stewardship: Develop people (AI handles coordination). Sense struggles before raised, hold team steady through uncertainty, build confidence before proof, create psychological safety. Model AI proficiency; develop team across 4 Cs (Curiosity, Creativity, Communication, Critical Thinking).
* Ecosystem Building: Cultivate lasting relationships with KOLs, customers, partners, government-the kind of guanxi that opens doors for decades.
Key Qualifications
* Education & Technical: Bachelor's in Life Sciences required (MS/PhD/MBA preferred). Deep understanding of life science reagents/diagnostics from R&D through commercialization. Hands-on product development experience strongly preferred.
* Experience: 10+ years business management; 5+ years full P&L responsibility. Prior GM/Country Manager role preferred. Deep China life sciences market knowledge (NMPA, competitive landscape, distribution channels). Proven track record, 10 years or more, marketing, emerging tech, and mature products in China.
* Leadership: Create psychologically safe environments. Adapt across cultures. Build high-performing teams through coaching and recognition. U.S. multinational or cross-border/APAC experience valued.
* AI Enablement (required): Daily AI use for market intelligence, financial analysis, strategic planning. Model proficiency and develop team competence. Understand AI handles coordination/institutional memory-freeing humans for strategic vision, relationships, regulatory navigation.
* Risk & Compliance: Expert in NMPA, customs, PIPL, FCPA/China Criminal Law, IPR protection. Identify and mitigate risks without stifling innovation. Make ethical calls under pressure.
* Financial Acumen: Monthly P&L review, variance investigation, ROI-based prioritization. Design antifragile operations through scenario planning.
* Language: Native/near-native Mandarin; strong English (written/verbal). Exceptional communication across audiences; deliver difficult messages with empathy.
Requirements
On-site presence at China branch (majority of time). Travel domestically and internationally (including Madison, WI) as required.
Preferred Qualifications
1. Advanced degree (M.S., Ph.D., or MBA) preferred.
2. Prior experience as a General Manager or Country Manager.
3. Experience working within a U.S.-based multinational company.
4. Established relationships with key opinion leaders and research institutions in China.
5. Experience managing cross-border operations or regional APAC responsibilities.
6. Has hands-on experience in R&D, product development, or technical operations within the life science tools, IVD, or biotech industry.
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