Assistant Manager, Technical

KLK OLEO; Petaling Jaya; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

KLK OLEO is seeking an experienced engineer to provide technical support for specialty fats production (PMF, Margarine, Shortening, Vegetable Ghee) and to help develop optimized recipes and process parameters ensuring product quality.

You will optimise crystallisation, cooling, blending and texturisation, while troubleshooting issues and driving plant improvements. R&D/QA collaboration and vendor liaison form part of the role.

Qualifications

• Minimum degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years in specialty fats production (PMF, Margarine, Vegetable Ghee, Shortening).
• Proven experience in managing plant operations or leading production teams.
• Strong knowledge of fat crystallisation and fractionation processes.
• Hands-on experience in process optimisation, formulation tuning, and troubleshooting.
• Experience in plant improvement or modification projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to the operations team for specialty fats production (PMF, Margarine, Shortening, Vegetable Ghee).
• Assist in developing and optimising product recipes and process parameters for product functionality and quality.
• Support process optimisation across fractionation and finished product lines (crystallisation control, cooling profiles, blending, texturisation).
• Troubleshoot production issues like unstable crystallisation, filtration challenges, off-spec texture, or yield losses.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and support plant modification implementation to boost efficiency and quality.
• Liaise with equipment vendors and technology providers for technical discussions and plant upgrades.
• Collaborate with R&D, QA, and commercial teams on product development and customer requirements.
• Provide technical guidance and training to engineers and operators.

Skills

Technical support

Process optimisation

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional collaboration

Vendor liaison

Training engineers/operators

Education

Chemical Engineering

Process Engineering

Job description

Provide technical support to the operations team for the production of specialty fats products, including Palm Mild Fraction (PMF), Margarine, Shortening, and Vegetable Ghee.

Assist in developing and optimising product recipes and process parameters for specialty fats production to achieve the required product functionality and quality.

Support process optimisation across fractionation and finished product lines, including crystallisation control, cooling profiles, blending, and texturisation.

Work with the operations team to troubleshoot production issues such as unstable crystallisation, filtration challenges, off-spec product texture, or yield losses.

Identify opportunities for process improvement and support the implementation of plant modifications to enhance production efficiency and product quality.

Liaise with equipment vendors and technology providers for technical discussions, process improvements, and plant upgrades.

Collaborate with R&D, QA, and commercial teams on specialty fats product development and customer requirements.

Provide technical guidance and training to engineers and operators to strengthen knowledge and operational capability in specialty fats processing.

Support the development and standardisation of operating guidelines and process parameters for specialty fats production.

Ensure production practices align with safety, food quality, and regulatory requirements.

JOB SUCCESS REQUIREMENTS

Minimum degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or related field.

Minimum 7 years of experience in specialty fats production, including PMF, Margarine, Vegetable Ghee, and/or Shortening.

Proven experience in managing plant operations or leading production teams.

Strong knowledge of fat crystallisation and fractionation processes.

Hands‑on experience in process optimisation, formulation tuning, and troubleshooting.

Experience in plant improvement or modification projects.

KLK OLEO is one of the world’s leading oleochemical producers that is committed to delivering excellence in the global marketplace. Our integrated oleochemical complexes located in key sourcing and supply markets (Malaysia, Indonesia, China and Europe) produce a wide range of high quality sustainable oleochemical products from natural renewable raw materials.

KLK OLEO is part of Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (“KLK”), a leading international plantations group listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. Strategically integrated to our upstream plantations parent, KLK OLEO is able to extract synergies and focus on developing sustainable solutions and reliable supply for our customers. At KLK OLEO, sustainability is integral to our business. Being a member of the RSPO, we are committed to delivering high quality and safe products to our customers, and ensuring high traceability throughout our supply chain. KLK OLEO’s strong commitment to meet customers’ expectations underscores our solid reputation as a reliable supplier in the global market place.

KLK OLEO's production portfolio ranges from basic oleochemical products, such as fatty acids, glycerine, fatty alcohols and fatty esters, all the way down the spectrum to specialties, such as methyl ester sulphonate (MES), surfactants and phytonutrients. Our products are used in diverse end-use applications, including home & personal health care, cosmetics & toiletries, food, flavours & fragrances, lubricants, polymers and industrial chemicals. Backed by a firm belief in innovation and a strong R&D culture, the creation of new downstream businesses continues to be the cornerstone of our strategy to capitalise on the integrated value chain.

Headquartered in Malaysia, with a workforce of 3,000 people worldwide, KLK OLEO strives to develop and uphold good relationships and long term partnerships with our customers and stakeholders.

KLK OLEO is one of the world’s leading oleochemical producers that is committed to delivering excellence in the global marketplace. Our integrated oleochemical complexes located in key sourcing and supply markets (Malaysia, Indonesia, China and Europe) produce a wide range of high quality sustainable oleochemical products from natural renewable raw materials.

KLK OLEO is part of Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (“KLK”), a leading international plantations group listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. Strategically integrated to our upstream plantations parent, KLK OLEO is able to extract synergies and focus on developing sustainable solutions and reliable supply for our customers. At KLK OLEO, sustainability is integral to our business. Being a member of the RSPO, we are committed to delivering high quality and safe products to our customers, and ensuring high traceability throughout our supply chain. KLK OLEO’s strong commitment to meet customers’ expectations underscores our solid reputation as a reliable supplier in the global market place.

KLK OLEO's production portfolio ranges from basic oleochemical products, such as fatty acids, glycerine, fatty alcohols and fatty esters, all the way down the spectrum to specialties, such as methyl ester sulphonate (MES), surfactants and phytonutrients. Our products are used in diverse end-use applications, including home & personal health care, cosmetics & toiletries, food, flavours & fragrances, lubricants, polymers and industrial chemicals. Backed by a firm belief in innovation and a strong R&D culture, the creation of new downstream businesses continues to be the cornerstone of our strategy to capitalise on the integrated value chain.

Headquartered in Malaysia, with a workforce of 3,000 people worldwide, KLK OLEO strives to develop and uphold good relationships and long term partnerships with our customers and stakeholders.