Joo Tey

About Joo Tey

I’ve spent my career building, fixing, and transforming operations from Europe, America to Asia — from fashion and apparel plants, to pharmaceutical lines and heavy-metal tolling facilities. What connects them all isn’t just manufacturing — it’s the art of turning complexity into clarity, and teams into believers in a shared purpose. As Managing Director / VP of Manufacturing at TAL, and formerly Deputy CEO of Malaysia Smelting Corporation, I’ve led large-scale turnarounds through productivity revamps, SOP redesign, and culture transformation. I’ve guided employees through transitions that demanded both discipline and empathy — proving that operational excellence isn’t achieved by enforcing change, but by inspiring belief in better ways of working.With a PhD in Lean and World Class Manufacturing Transformation, my journey began with theory — but it was the real-world factory floors, production crises, and human challenges that forged my practical understanding of what Lean truly means. Over the years, I’ve learned that no transformation is sustainable unless people feel ownership of it. My greatest satisfaction comes from translating Lean and Six Sigma principles into systems and behaviors that teams live by — not just follow.My leadership style blends analytical discipline with human empathy: data and dashboards tell me what’s happening, but conversations on the factory floor tell me why. I’m known for bridging East-West management styles — shaping strategy with global investors and buyers, while engaging local teams with authenticity and respect. The outcome: sustainable performance, not just quarterly wins. I’m passionate about teaching and coaching Lean thinking — helping organizations and individuals alike see waste differently, solve problems scientifically, and make improvement a daily habit. My leadership style blends analytical precision with human insight: numbers reveal what’s broken, but people reveal how to fix it for good. What drives me now is helping regional manufacturers evolve — from labor-intensive legacy setups to smart, value-driven enterprises that are globally competitive and environmentally conscious. Whether it’s garments, metals, or medical products, I thrive where product, process, and people must come together fast — and right. Outside the boardroom, I mentor emerging leaders and explore the intersection of technology, craftsmanship, and sustainability in the modern supply chain. Because at the end of the day, leadership is not about control — it’s about creating momentum that outlasts you.

Experience

1. Managing Director VP Manufacturing

   TAL Apparel Limited

   Aug 2021 — Present · TH

   Thailand operations employees) specialize in high-end outerwear, suit jacket/ tailoring products serving global luxury brands including Burberry, Coach and Brooks Brothers Full P&L and strategic leadership of all manufacturing functions - Operations, Technical, Quality, HCM (Human Capital Management), CI (Continuous Improvement), IE (Industrial Engineering), Automation, Sustainability and EHS Awarded Business Unit of the Year 2023 – recognized for exceptional performance across profitability, quality, on-time delivery, sustainability and innovation Record-breaking profit 3 consecutive years – through cost optimization, efficiency gains, and customer diversification Pioneered factory automation – launching the Template Sewing initiative – enabling 15-25% process automation and setting the benchmark for future smart manufacturing across the group Drive organizational agility and performance accountability through structured KPIs and continuous improvement programs

Education

• University of Birmingham

  Bachelor of Engineering (BEng), Mechanical Engineering

  1996 — 1998

• Taylor's College

  Canadian Pre-University Program

  1995 — 1995

• University of Birmingham

  Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, World Class Manufacturing Management, Continuous Improvement

  1999 — 2003

Skills

• Large Group Facilitation
• Fmea
• 5s
• Kaizen Facilitation
• Change Management
• Manufacturing
• Supply Chain
• Six Sigma
• Quality Auditing
• Quality System
• Continuous Improvement
• Green Belt
• Process Simulation
• Process Engineering
• Lean Manufacturing
• Kaizen
• Business Process
• Business Strategy
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Business Process Improvement
• Strategic Planning Facilitation
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• R&D
• Statistics
• Filtration
• Manufacturing Management
• Quality Assurance
• Process Efficiency
• Value Stream Mapping
• Gmp
• Process Improvement
• Supply Chain Optimization
• Process Excellence
• Root Cause Analysis
• Black Belt
• Project Facilitation
• Problem Solving
• Dmaic
• Business Process Excellence
• Blood Bank