Chief Operating Officer

Private Advertiser; Johor Bahru; In loco; MYR 600.000 - 1.200.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

Private Advertiser is seeking a commercially driven Chief Operating Officer to translate growth strategy into profitable, scalable operations across food manufacturing, retail, restaurants and Halal products. This hands-on executive will build high-performing teams, develop overseas markets and align operations with brand goals.

The successful candidate will lead end-to-end operational leadership, governance and IPO readiness while partnering with the CEO to deliver sustainable performance and

Competenze

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations.
• At least 5 years in senior operational or general management.
• Substantial experience in F&B manufacturing, with exposure to retail, restaurants, trading or Halal markets.
• Demonstrated international commercial exposure, including successful overseas market entry or multi-country operations.
• Willingness to travel internationally and hands-on execution.

Mansioni

• Develop and execute the Group's medium- and long-term business strategy.
• Identify overseas opportunities and market-entry strategies.
• Oversee manufacturing, supply chain, trading, retail and restaurant operations.
• Drive productivity, cost control, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure food safety, Halal governance and regulatory compliance.
• Lead organisational design, leadership development and systems upgrades.

Conoscenze

Strategic leadership

International expansion

P&L management

Negotiation

Cross-cultural communication

Operations management

Supply chain & manufacturing

Stakeholder management

Formazione

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, Food Science, Supply Chain or related discipline

Descrizione del lavoro

We are seeking a commercially driven and internationally experienced Chief Operating Officer to lead the Group’s operational performance and overseas expansion.

The successful candidate will translate the Group’s growth strategy into profitable, scalable operations across its relevant F&B businesses, including food manufacturing, retail, restaurants, trading and Halal products. This role requires a hands‑on executive who combines strong business judgement with operational discipline and a proven ability to build partnerships, enter new markets and develop high‑performing teams.

Experience supporting an Initial Public Offering (IPO), pre‑listing preparation or public‑company governance will be an added advantage.

Key Responsibilities

A. Business Strategy and International Expansion

Partner with the CEO and leadership team to develop and execute the Group’s medium- and long-term business strategy.

Identify, evaluate and prioritise overseas opportunities based on market demand, competitive positioning, investment requirements, regulatory considerations and expected returns.

Develop market‑entry strategies through appropriate models, including exports, distributors, strategic partnerships, OEM arrangements, franchise or licensing arrangements, joint ventures and direct operations.

Lead commercial discussions and negotiations with prospective overseas partners, distributors, customers and other stakeholders within approved authority limits.

Prepare market‑entry business cases, feasibility assessments, investment proposals and implementation roadmaps.

Establish clear expansion milestones, budgets, ownership and performance measures.

Review market performance and recommend corrective action, restructuring or exit where commercial expectations are not met.

Work closely with the CMO and sales leadership to align market opportunities with brand positioning, customer demand and operational readiness.

B. End‑to‑End Operational Leadership

Oversee the Group’s relevant manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, trading, retail and restaurant operations.

Translate business plans into operating targets, departmental objectives and accountable execution.

Improve production planning, capacity utilisation, service standards, order fulfilment and customer satisfaction.

Establish consistent operating procedures while allowing appropriate adaptation to local market requirements.

Drive productivity, cost efficiency, waste reduction and continuous improvement.

Lead the operational preparation and launch of new facilities, outlets, markets and business channels.

Ensure new business commitments are supported by suitable production capacity, people, systems and delivery capability.

C. Financial Performance and Commercial Discipline

Take accountability for operational budgets and business‑unit profit and loss within the assigned scope.

Work with Finance to manage production costs, procurement expenditure, inventory, logistics costs, labour productivity and capital investments.

Evaluate product, customer, outlet and market profitability and recommend improvement actions.

Strengthen working‑capital discipline through better inventory management, forecasting and coordination with commercial and Finance teams.

Review pricing, margins and commercial terms in collaboration with the CEO, Finance and sales leadership.

Monitor investment outcomes against approved business cases.

D. Food Safety, Quality and Halal Governance

Ensure operational activities support applicable food safety, product quality, Halal and destination‑market requirements.

Establish clear accountability among Operations, QA, regulatory specialists and appointed responsible personnel.

Oversee operational readiness for customer audits, certification assessments and regulatory inspections.

Ensure timely closure of audit findings and corrective actions.

Support product traceability, complaint management, recall preparedness and business‑continuity arrangements.

Ensure overseas expansion decisions account for product specifications, shelf life, packaging, storage, transportation and local compliance requirements.

Support the integrity of Halal‑related sourcing, production and distribution arrangements through the designated qualified personnel.

E. Organisation, Systems and Leadership

Build an effective operating structure with clear responsibilities, decision rights and reporting lines.

Lead, coach and develop functional heads and country or business‑unit leaders.

Establish performance dashboards and regular business‑review routines.

Partner with HR on workforce planning, leadership development, succession and performance accountability.

Sponsor appropriate systems and digitalisation initiatives to strengthen visibility, planning and operational control.

Promote a culture of ownership, collaboration, customer focus and continuous improvement.

F. Governance and IPO Readiness

Strengthen operational SOPs, internal controls, management reporting and delegation‑of‑authority arrangements.

Support due diligence, operational documentation and readiness assessments where required.

Work with the CEO, CFO, legal advisers and other appointed professionals on pre‑IPO or corporate exercises.

Present operational performance, expansion progress and material risks to the CEO and Board as required.

Candidate Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, Food Science, Supply Chain or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant executive experience.

Typically 15 or more years of progressive experience, including at least five years in senior operational or general‑management leadership.

Substantial experience in F&B manufacturing, with relevant exposure to one or more of retail, restaurants, trading, distribution or Halal markets.

Demonstrated international commercial exposure, including successful overseas market entry, export development or multi‑country operations.

Proven ability to translate strategy into measurable revenue, profitability and operational outcomes.

Strong understanding of P&L management, budgeting, cost control, supply chain and operational risk.

Experience building teams, managing change and strengthening operating systems in a growing organisation.

Strong negotiation, stakeholder‑management and cross‑cultural communication skills.

Willingness to travel internationally and remain actively involved in execution.

Added Advantages

Experience in Halal F&B markets and cross‑border distribution.

Exposure to frozen food, bakery, pastry, ready‑to‑eat products or central‑kitchen operations.

Experience with OEM/private‑label manufacturing, franchise networks or multi‑site operations.

Participation in IPO preparation, listed‑company operations, mergers and acquisitions or corporate restructuring.

Postgraduate business qualification or relevant professional credentials.

Proposed Performance Measures

Targets should be agreed according to the Group’s current scale and expansion priorities:

Overseas revenue growth and profitability.

New‑market launches delivered against approved milestones.

Business‑unit operating profit and margin improvement.

Manufacturing productivity, yield and waste reduction.

Order fulfilment and on‑time delivery.

Inventory efficiency and working‑capital performance.

Food safety, quality and Halal audit corrective‑action closure.

Leadership‑team capability and succession readiness.