Samsung chief Jay Y. Lee focuses on talent, network for breakthrough

Samsung chief Jay Y. Lee [Photo by Yonhap]

Jay Y. Lee, executive chairman of Samsung Electronics Co., has been devoted to nurturing talents and expanding global network over the 100 days in leadership as the tech giant strives for innovative technologies in chips and devices.

Samsung Electronics under Lee’s leadership has been highlighting the importance of retaining local and global talents in line with the executive chairman’s belief that “talented people and technology are the most important values.”

Samsung Electronics kicked off on Monday recruitment programs for two divisions - Device Solutions (DS) responsible for the manufacturing of chips and Device eXperience (DX) for home appliances and mobile devices – to retain skilled employees. The move comes despite challenging business environment where fourth-quarter operating profit of its chips business plunged 97 percent on year.

The company is seeking to hire talents that are able to develop vehicle-use chips and solutions such as image sensors and System-on-chips. It is also looking for professionals in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector. Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), for example, is hiring AI researchers.

Samsung Electronics is also actively engaged in recruiting global talents. Many talents from the world’s leading companies like Apple Inc. and Intel Corp. joined Samsung Electronics after Lee became executive chairman in October last year.

The company hired two executives from Ericsson Inc., a Swedish networking company, and set up a new task force team under the Network Business Division.

It also hired Yoon Sung-ho, former researcher at U.S. General Electric, to work for the home appliance division. Yoon is known to have been scouted to develop advanced motor technology for home use.

The Korean tech giant also brought new talents from its global rivals to strengthen its existing technologies. Last year, Lee Sang-hoon, who worked at Intel for extreme ultraviolet technology, joined Samsung Electronics to improve capacity in foundry technology.

Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee has also been devoted to expanding global network. He joined President Yoon Suk-yeol in his trip to the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland. He also interacted with global figures that visited Seoul, like Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in November last year, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, and ASML President Peter Wennink.