The semiconductor memory industry is experiencing a new paradigm driven by advances in AI. In this rapidly evolving environment, SK hynix’s Business Planning department played a key role in the company’s best-ever performance in 2024. By maximizing limited resources through rigorous analysis and proactively adapting to internal and external changes, the team contributed significantly to this success. Moving beyond these short-term results, the team is now focused on ensuring the company’s sustainable growth.
In the third episode of an interview series featuring newly appointed executives in 2025, the SK hynix Newsroom sat down with Vice President Jungwoo Kim, head of Business Planning. In this wide-ranging interview, Kim discusses his strategies for driving operational innovation and shaping the company’s future.
Strategic Decision-Making: The Key to Achieving Competitiveness
Kim was instrumental in driving SK hynix’s remarkable growth in 2024 and laying the groundwork for strengthening future capabilities. “Despite the unprecedented downturn in the memory market in 2023, proactive investments based on market analysis led to the company’s record-breaking performance in 2024,” he stated. “Infrastructure investments, such as the decision in 2024 to build the M15X fab, will serve as a critical foundation for responding to new demand.” Kim emphasized that these key achievements were fueled by thorough market analysis and data-based strategic decision-making.
“Decision-making in the semiconductor memory industry is becoming increasingly complex, not only due to technological evolution but also as a result of various uncertainties such as geopolitical risks and growing AI competition,” Kim revealed. “As the head of Business Planning, I will lead strategic decisions that address the company’s key challenges. Beyond simply establishing plans, I will focus on developing feasible strategies by actively communicating with on-site teams to ensure we reach our goals.”
Developing practical and sophisticated strategies based on on-site experience is one of Kim’s strengths. Since joining SK hynix’s manufacturing and technology unit, the Memory Manufacturing Center, in 2003, he has gained extensive experience in field operations and optimization through roles at the Icheon headquarters and as a resident officer in Wuxi, China. “Decisions made during the planning stage significantly impact the productivity and competitiveness of on-site operations,” he emphasized.
“I understand better than anyone the relentless efforts of our members to perfect technology and maximize yield, as well as the intensity of a 24/7 production environment,” he said. “My goal is to provide practical, timely solutions fit for front-line operations, enhancing execution capabilities and contributing to the growth of both the company and our employees.”
Kim will provide practical solutions for front-line operations to support company growth
From Uncertainty to Execution: Driving Operational Innovation
In the semiconductor memory industry, where the cycles of boom and bust are the norm, the “art of timing” is crucial as well-timed investment decisions can determine business success or failure. Since 2023, SK hynix has been operating a consultative body uniting all departments to predict and analyze market conditions, thus guiding key decisions on production, sales, and investments. This approach has helped the company navigate an unprecedented industry downturn and achieve its best performance to date.
“2025 is a pivotal year where we must move beyond past achievements and set the stage for sustainable growth,” Kim claimed.
“Guided by the principle of ‘From Uncertainty to Execution,’ the Business Planning department is driving operational innovation with three key objectives: preemptively taking action to address market changes, strengthening data-driven decision-making systems, and maximizing cross-department synergies,” he revealed. “To effectively respond to market changes, we will refine market assessments and sharpen investment discussions while establishing strategies which align with global IT trends and technological advancements. Additionally, we will build a framework to enable rapid changes of direction based on data analysis of supply and demand fluctuations and investment profitability. Close collaboration with on-site teams will also be key to enhancing execution and ensuring success.”
Collaboration and responding to market changes are key to Kim’s strategy for driving operational innovation
Leading by Example: Embracing Challenges & Innovation for Further Growth
As the Business Planning department tackles company-wide issues, the work requires careful deliberation. “No matter how difficult the problem is, if we demonstrate a ‘one-team’ spirit, discuss solutions, and take it step by step, we’ve always found a way to solve a challenge,” he said and emphasized that, for this approach to succeed, “Leaders must set the right example.”
“A leader should not only set the direction but also engage with team members and consider their diverse perspectives,” he said. “I will step forward for difficult tasks, think deeply, and be a leader who communicates with an open mind.”
Kim concluded by encouraging the team to embrace challenges and drive innovation.
“SK hynix has grown through a history of challenges and innovation,” he said. “While we should take pride in our achievements we’ve made so far, we must not become complacent. Let’s push forward, take action, and create even greater growth together, ensuring SK hynix remains at the forefront of the global semiconductor market.”
Read more articles from the New Leadership Spotlight 2025 series
