Assistant Workshop Manager (Oil Palm Plantation)

Kwantas Corporation Berhad; Sabah; On-site; MYR 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Kwantas Corporation Berhad in Sabah seeks an Assistant Workshop Manager to support daily estate workshop operations, ensuring timely maintenance and repair of tractors, excavators, and other heavy equipment used in plantation activities.

You will supervise workshop staff, coordinate preventive maintenance, manage spares and records, uphold safety and SOPs, and work with Estate Management to minimize downtime and control costs.

Qualifications

• Diploma or Certificate in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Technology, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in workshop operations, preferably within oil palm plantations, construction, or heavy equipment environments.
• Strong technical knowledge of diesel engines, hydraulics, and agricultural/heavy machinery.
• Proven ability to lead a team and manage workshop workflows.
• Good communication skills in Bahasa Malaysia and English, Mandarin will be an added advantage.
• Familiar with safety procedures, maintenance planning, and inventory control.
• Willing to perform field-based and hands-on work when required.
• Possess a valid driving license.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing the daily operations of the estate workshop, including maintenance and repair of tractors, excavators, loaders, bulldozers, trailers, diesel engines, hydraulic systems, and plantation support vehicles.
• Supervise mechanics, welders, and general workshop staff to ensure repairs are completed safely, on time, and to the required quality standards.
• Plan, coordinate, and monitor preventive maintenance programs to minimize breakdowns and operational downtime.
• Monitor spare parts inventory, usage tracking, and reorder levels, ensuring availability while controlling cost.
• Ensure full compliance with company SOPs, safety regulations, and environmental standards, including proper housekeeping and safe work practices.
• Maintain accurate service records, job sheets, and maintenance logs for audit reporting and performance monitoring purposes.
• Support breakdown response and field servicing, including on-site repairs at estate locations when required.
• Liaise with Estate Management and operations teams on technical issues, maintenance planning, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Carry out other duties as assigned by the Workshop Manager or Estate Management in support of estate operations.

Skills

Team leadership

Workshop operations

Maintenance planning

Inventory control

Safety compliance

Education

Diploma/Certificate in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Job Overview:
We are seeking a proactive Assistant Workshop Manager who is responsible for supporting the day-to-day operations of the estate workshop, ensuring effective maintenance and repair of vehicles, machinery, and equipment used in plantation operations. This role involves supervising workshop personnel, coordinating preventive maintenance, managing spare parts and records, ensuring compliance with safety and SOP requirements, and working closely with Estate Management to minimize downtime, control costs, and support smooth estate operations.

Job Responsibilities:

Assist in managing the daily operations of the estate workshop, including maintenance and repair of tractors, excavators, loaders, bulldozers, trailers, diesel engines, hydraulic systems, and plantation support vehicles.

Supervise mechanics, welders, and general workshop staff to ensure repairs are completed safely, on time, and to the required quality standards.

Plan, coordinate, and monitor preventive maintenance programs to minimize breakdowns and operational downtime.

Monitor spare parts inventory, usage tracking, and reorder levels, ensuring availability while controlling cost.

Ensure full compliance with company SOPs, safety regulations, and environmental standards, including proper housekeeping and safe work practices.

Maintain accurate service records, job sheets, and maintenance logs for audit reporting and performance monitoring purposes.

Support breakdown response and field servicing, including on-site repairs at estate locations when required.

Liaise with Estate Management and operations teams on technical issues, maintenance planning, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Carry out other duties as assigned by the Workshop Manager or Estate Management in support of estate operations.

Key Requirements:

Diploma or Certificate in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Technology, or related field

Minimum 5 years’ experience in workshop operations, preferably within oil palm plantations, construction, or heavy equipment environments.

Strong technical knowledge of diesel engines, hydraulics, and agricultural/heavy machinery

Proven ability to lead a team and manage workshop workflows

Good communication skills in Bahasa Malaysia and English, Mandarin will be an added advantage

Familiar with safety procedures, maintenance planning, and inventory control

Willing to perform field-based and hands-on work when required.

Possess a valid driving license

Kwantas Corporation Berhad, incorporated in August 1995 as an investment holding company, traces its roots to Kwan Ah Hee’s timber business, which expanded into oil palm cultivation in the 1980s.

Today, under the Kwan family’s leadership, Kwantas has grown into an integrated palm oil group with operations spanning upstream plantations and downstream activities including palm oil milling, refining, kernel crushing, bulking, and cooking oil packaging and distribution.

Headquartered in Sabah, the Group has expanded beyond Malaysia with operations and offices in Kota Kinabalu, Lahad Datu, Sibu, Guangzhou and Zhangjiagang, China.

Kwantas Corporation Berhad, incorporated in August 1995 as an investment holding company, traces its roots to Kwan Ah Hee’s timber business, which expanded into oil palm cultivation in the 1980s.

Today, under the Kwan family’s leadership, Kwantas has grown into an integrated palm oil group with operations spanning upstream plantations and downstream activities including palm oil milling, refining, kernel crushing, bulking, and cooking oil packaging and distribution.

Headquartered in Sabah, the Group has expanded beyond Malaysia with operations and offices in Kota Kinabalu, Lahad Datu, Sibu, Guangzhou and Zhangjiagang, China.