Director, Surface Finishing Engineering

About the Role

The Director, Surface Finishing Engineering provides technical leadership for all surface finishing technologies in the plant, including electro plating and PVD. The role ensures stable, efficient, and high-quality production while driving continuous improvement and supporting new product introduction.

This position leads process development, solves complex technical issues, and advances innovation by exploring and implementing new finishing technologies and capabilities.

The Director serves as the technical authority for surface finishing, ensuring compliance with quality, safety, and environmental standards.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Define and execute the mid to long term strategy for electro plating, PVD, and surface finishing technologies within the plant.
• Identify future capabilities, technologies, and investments required to support business growth and product roadmap.
• Provide strategic input to leadership on surface finishing trends, risks, and new opportunities.

Technical Expertise & Innovation

• Lead resolution of complex technical issues affecting quality, yield, safety, or cost.
• Serve as the Center of Excellence and primary technical authority, providing expert consultation and troubleshooting support to other plants.
• Drive structured knowledge transfer programs to build capability across plants.
• Collaborate closely with I&PD to provide expert input on new products, materials, and process concepts.
• Scout, evaluate, and implement new surface finishing and plating technologies to maintain competitive advantage.
• Lead pilot trials, feasibility studies, and industrialization of new technologies and finishing methods.
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation in processes, equipment, and materials to enhance performance, durability, sustainability, and production efficiency.
• Ensure smooth industrialization of new plating, PVD, and finishing processes for new product collections.

People Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead and develop a high-performing engineering team specializing in plating, PVD, and finishing technologies.
• Build strong technical capability through structured coaching, training, and knowledge development.
• Foster a culture of problem-solving, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or a related field, with a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in the surface finishing industry.
• Visionary thinking to anticipate industry trends and identify new opportunities.
• Deep expertise in electroplating, PVD, surface finishing, and related processes.
• Strong problem-solving skills to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues.
• Ability to evaluate, scout, and implement new technologies and processes.
• Data-driven decision-making and analytical mindset.
• Strong understanding of quality, production, and process control principles.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills to develop high-performing engineering teams.
• Strong communication skills to convey technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders.

About Crafting & Supply

The magic happens at our crafting facilities, where we combine centuries-old crafting traditions and high-quality materials with modern production techniques. You will be part of a team of over 13,000 craftspeople who are excellent at crafting and supplying the world's largest jewellery brand. You will join the Production Team and report to the Senior Vice President, Manufacturing (Bangkok).

What We Offer

• Join a team that is as diverse and inclusive as our jewellery.
• Foster your growth and craft opportunities through our learning and development programmes.
• A wide range of opportunities and benefits to ensure that our employees feel valued, supported, and cared for.
• Transportation services are available to drop you at the closest BTS station and other community areas.

About Pandora

Pandora started crafting its jewellery in Thailand in 1989. Today, there are two crafting facilities in Thailand, Bangkok and Lamphun, employing more than 13,000 skilled craftspeople. By the end of 2024, 113 million pieces were sold globally, all hand-finished in Thailand using high-quality raw materials and sustainable methods.

Pandora is the world's largest jewellery brand, designed in Denmark and crafted in Thailand. The company's products are made from high-quality materials and sold in more than 100 countries through 6,800 points of sale, including 2,600 concept stores. Headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, Pandora employs 37,000 people worldwide and generated sales of DKK 31.7 billion (EUR 4.25 billion) in 2024.