Chief Executive Officer Industrial

Executive Recruiters; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 400,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing firm in Kuala Lumpur is seeking a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to provide strategic and financial leadership. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree and over 15 years of progressive leadership experience, including 10 years in a senior executive role within the steel manufacturing sector. This role is essential for driving growth, profitability, and operational excellence, ensuring compliance with industry standards, and fostering a strong organizational culture.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of progressive leadership experience.
• At least 10 years in a senior executive role in steel manufacturing.
• Experience with P&L responsibility.
• Knowledge of steel production processes and supply chain management.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the company.
• Maintain accountability for the company’s P&L.
• Lead and mentor the executive leadership team.
• Manage relationships with the Board of Directors and stakeholders.

Skills

Strategic Acumen

Interpersonal skills

Leadership & Influence

Results Orientation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Business Administration

Tools

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems

Job description

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) provides overall strategic, operational, and financial leadership for the company. As the most senior executive, the CEO is accountable for driving long‑term growth, optimizing profitability, and creating sustainable value for all stakeholders. The role entails leading the senior management team, cultivating a high‑performance and results‑driven culture, and acting as the principal conduit between the Board of Directors and the organization’s operations.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Define, develop, and propose the company’s long‑term vision, mission, and strategic objectives to the Board of Directors for endorsement.
• Lead the annual strategic planning cycle and translate approved strategies into executable business plans with clear KPIs and measurable outcomes.
• Continuously evaluate market trends, competitive dynamics, and growth or expansion opportunities to ensure the company remains well‑positioned for future success.

Operational & Financial Excellence

• Maintain ultimate accountability for the company’s P&L, driving performance in revenue growth, profitability, and market share.
• Oversee all business operations to ensure they are aligned with strategic objectives, operational plans, and approved budgets.
• Provide strategic oversight of key production assets, ensuring maintenance, reliability, and asset management strategies (including Combined Drawing Machines and Shot Blasting Machines) support high levels of uptime and operational efficiency.
• Ensure full compliance with all legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements, including adherence to quality and industry standards such as IATF 16949 and ISO 9001.

Organizational & Talent Leadership

• Build, lead, and mentor a strong executive leadership team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure the organization’s structure, capabilities, and talent pipeline are aligned with and able to deliver the company’s strategic priorities.
• Champion a company‑wide culture focused on safety, quality, and operational excellence.

Stakeholder Management & Governance

• Act as the primary interface between the Board of Directors and management, providing transparent, timely, and accurate reporting on performance, risks, and opportunities.
• Establish and maintain strong strategic relationships with key customers, suppliers, and business partners.
• Represent the company with external stakeholders and within the wider group.
• Implement and oversee effective risk management frameworks to safeguard the company’s assets, performance, and reputation.

Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• At least 15 years of progressive leadership experience, including a minimum of 10 years in a senior executive role within a steel manufacturing or heavy industrial environment.
• Demonstrated success in strategy development, business growth, and delivering strong financial outcomes with full P&L responsibility.

Knowledge & Competencies

• Strategic Acumen: Strong expertise in corporate governance, financial management, and strategic planning.
• Industry Expertise: In‑depth knowledge of the manufacturing sector, particularly steel production processes, supply chain management, and market dynamics, including hands‑on understanding of the operation, maintenance, and reliability of key steel plant machinery such as Combined Drawing Machines and Shot Blasting Machines.
• Technical Proficiency: Practical experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems to drive operational efficiency and integrated business management.
• Leadership & Influence: Proven ability to lead, inspire, and develop senior leaders while building alignment and consensus across the organization.
• Results Orientation: Highly driven, commercially focused, and resilient, with a consistent track record of delivering results and overcoming complex challenges.

Skills & Personal Attributes

• Outstanding interpersonal and diplomatic skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility across all levels of the organization and with external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to serve as a credible and compelling public representative of the company.
• High standards of integrity, ethics, and personal accountability.
• Strong resilience and composure in a fast‑paced, demanding business environment.
• Forward‑thinking and innovative, with the ability to anticipate trends and identify opportunities beyond the obvious.
• Proven capability to operate effectively within the business, cultural, and regulatory landscape of the Malaysian steel industry.