Country Manager

KST Maritime Pte Ltd; Johor Bahru; On-site; MYR 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A maritime company based in Johor Bahru is seeking an experienced leader for Commercial & Client Relations. The role includes maintaining client relationships, overseeing port operations, and developing business strategies. The ideal candidate should have at least 10 years in maritime or logistics, with 5 years in leadership, strong negotiation skills, and a relevant degree. This position offers an opportunity to drive operational excellence and compliance in a key maritime market.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years in maritime, port operations, or logistics.
• At least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Strong understanding of Malaysian tug operations and port regulations.

Responsibilities

• Maintain relationships with clients and stakeholders.
• Monitor market trends for pricing and service strategies.
• Lead business development and contract negotiations.
• Develop and execute business strategies.
• Represent the company in forums and partnerships.
• Oversee daily operations of tug services.
• Ensure compliance with safety and maritime regulations.
• Manage budget and financial targets for the country.
• Build and lead a high-performing local team.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Negotiation skills

Stakeholder management

Operational management

Business development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Maritime Studies

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Job description

Commercial & Client Relations

Maintain strong relationships with clients, port authorities, vendors and logistics partners

Monitor market trends and competitor activities to inform pricing and service strategies

Lead business development efforts with HQ, including contract negotiations and client onboarding

Strategic Leadership

Develop and execute country-level business strategies aligned with regional and global objectives

Identify growth opportunities in Malaysian ports and maritime sectors

Represent the company in industry forums, government engagements, and strategic partnerships

Oversee daily tug operations, service delivery to clients, fleet management, crew scheduling, eye on maintenance and overall performance of the company

Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and maritime regulations

Implement operational KPIs and continuous improvement initiatives

Execution on the ground, monitoring, and reporting on KPI and initiatives’ success

Manage country-level Profit and Loss, budgeting, and cost control

With support of the financial team, ensure country financial targets are met and reported accurately

Optimize resource allocation, optimize expenses to meet company targets

Build and lead a high-performing local team across operations and support functions

Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and performance

Drive talent retention, development and manpower planning

Will be based in Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Qualifications & Experience

Extremely sound knowledge of port and maritime business, backed by experience of minimum 10 years in maritime, port operations, or logistics, with at least 5 years in a leadership role

Strong understanding of tug operations and port regulations in Malaysia

Proven track record in business development and operational management

Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills

Bachelor’s degree in Maritime Studies, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field