International Firms Look Beyond Singapore for Operational Leadership Roles
Summary: International firms are looking beyond Singapore as operational leadership roles shift to Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia
Originally written for and published by AHK-GBA Vietnam
International industrial companies continue to expand and decentralize their leadership across Southeast Asia. While Singapore remains the regional HQ hub, companies are increasingly placing operations, supply chain, and commercial leadership in Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia – markets where production, suppliers, and customers are concentrated. This development is consistent among multinational companies and DACH‑region Mittelstand industrial firms alike.
Southeast Asia’s growing role as an industrial base for international companies is supported by resilient FDI inflows into Vietnam and Indonesia, and strong FDI growth in Thailand and Malaysia (42% and 21% respectively) in 2025. Over the same period, China recorded a 9.5% decline in FDI, highlighting a diversified regional investment landscape.
Across these markets, industrial and manufacturing projects continue to dominate new investment, with each country showing distinct strengths. These dynamics reinforce the need for experienced operational leadership in local markets – particularly in industrial sectors where expansion is most active.
Companies are prioritizing mid‑ to senior‑level leaders in operations, engineering, supply chain, and industrial sales who can bridge global expectations with local execution. Competition for this talent is intensifying, leading to upward pressure on compensation, especially for leaders with cross‑border experience and the ability to scale industrial operations in fast‑growing markets.
About FES Partners
FES Partners is an executive search and interim management provider supporting international companies expanding in Asia. With over 40 years of experience in senior leadership and critical roles for international Mittelstand firms, we deliver executive placements across the region through dedicated on‑the‑ground teams in Greater China, Southeast Asia, and Japan.