Based in Spencer Stuart’s Shanghai office, Alex Zhu is a core member of the firm’s global Industrial Practice, bringing over 20 years of expertise in executive search and leadership advisory. Since joining Spencer Stuart in 2007, Alex has partnered with Fortune 500 corporations, middle-market enterprises, startups and private equity portfolios in discovering and developing C-suite executives and regional leaders. Guided by his core values of authenticity and perseverance, Alex believes that these principles positively impact his clients and their success.
As the leader of the firm’s Supply Chain & Operations Officer Practice in Asia Pacific, Alex plays a pivotal role in placing key positions such as chief supply chain officers, chief procurement officers and senior manufacturing leaders across sectors like discrete and process manufacturing, technology, consumer goods and retail.
He also specializes in recruiting CEOs and CHROs for Chinese companies and C-level roles for their overseas business, ensuring that these organizations have the leadership necessary for both local and global success.
Alex works frequently with C suites and boards on their strategies in China, leadership succession and the “new MNC” operating model that integrates China built capabilities with global scale.
Specializing in the convergence of industry and technology
- His extensive experience in executive search spans across various industries, regions and cultures, providing him with a deep understanding of global and regional talent pools, particularly in technology areas like industrial automation and digitization. This expertise enables him to assist organizations in achieving transformative business outcomes through innovative talent strategies.
- Prior to joining Spencer Stuart, Alex worked at an international organizational advisory firm, with a focus on the technology sector. Earlier, he oversaw recruitment and assessment of overseas industry experts for a Chinese government organization.
- Earlier in his career, he served in a Chinese government organization, overseeing the recruitment of overseas industry experts and conducting executive competency assessments.
- An author of several articles on leadership trends, Alex has made notable contributions, including China’s Market Has Flipped. Enter the
“New MNC.”, An AI Wake-Up Call for Supply Chain Leaders and The Power of Humility.
Alex holds an executive M.B.A. from IMD Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland. Fluent in Mandarin and English, he brings a global perspective and multicultural sensitivity to his client engagements, embodying a commitment to empowering leaders and organizations.