Country Manager - Towage Business

K.S.P. TOWAGE SDN BHD; Johor Bahru; On-site; MYR 1,000,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

K.S.P. Towage Sdn Bhd in Malaysia seeks a Country Manager to lead all operations, commercial activities, and strategic initiatives for the tugs business.

You will ensure operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and build strong relationships with clients, port authorities and internal stakeholders. The role demands 15+ years in maritime or offshore sectors, P&L responsibility, and proven leadership of large teams; you will drive growth, supervise diverse functions, and steer market

Qualifications

• 15+ years in maritime, port operations, logistics and/or offshore environment.
• Experience managing both white- and blue-collar workers (close to 300 employees).
• Proven track record of strong and dynamic leadership as country manager or similar senior role.
• Strong ability to supervise and drive growth across functions: commercial, finance, HR, operations.
• Knowledge of commercial and operational processes; crisis management skills are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Oversee tugboats operations, fleet management, maintenance, and service delivery to clients.
• Lead local and ground teams; establish performance processes across operations and support functions.
• Manage and drive the company’s profit and loss, budgeting, and cost control.
• Ensure compliance with corporate governance, regulatory standards, and safety.
• Maintain and pursue new business opportunities, and manage relationships with clients and authorities.
• Monitor markets and competitors to inform pricing and strategy.

Skills

Strategic leadership

P&L management

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Job description

The Country Manager will lead and manage all operations, commercial activities, and strategic initiatives for the tugs business in Malaysia. This role is responsible for ensuring operational excellence, maintain corporate and regulatory compliance, drive growth, and build strong relationships with clients, port authorities, and internal stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

Operational Management and Efficiency: Oversee and manage all day-to-day tugboats operations, fleet management, tugs maintenance, business activities, and all service deliveries to clients. Monitor and evaluate organizational performance, implement improvements to enhance operational efficiency and ensure operational standards are met.

Team Leadership: Lead, guide and motivate both local teams leaders and ground teams. Setup management performance processes to improve teamwork, individual performance and accountability across all operations and support functions.

Financial Performance and Oversight: Manage and drive Company’s profit and loss, budgeting, and cost control. With support of local financial team, ensure company’s financial targets are met and reported accurately and promptly.

Processes/ Compliances: Implement and continuously assess to improve and optimize operational processes for operational, management control and corporate governance/regulatory and statutory compliances for company and tugboats.

Commercial and Clients Relations: Maintain present company's market position and identify/pursue new business and growth opportunities for expanding into new markets. Maintain strong relationships with clients, local authorities and monitor markets trends and competitors activities to inform pricings, markets strategies and challenges.

HR Development: Drive talent retention, development, and employees planning; implement training programs and employee’s development initiatives to enhance skills to improve performance.

Stakeholders Management: Manage relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

Skills and Qualifications:

Experienced commercial and operational general manager, with a proven track record of at least 15 years in relevant maritime, port operations, logistics and/or offshore environment, ideally with P&L responsibility.

Would have relevant experience in managing both white- and blue-collar workers (close to 300 employees) and possess strong supervisory abilities.

Proven track record of strong and dynamic leadership as country manager or in similar senior leadership roles; with high drive and ability of leading high-performing local teams and driving company growth. Good understanding of business management, operations, and diverse business functions including commercial , finance, HR, operations etc.

Possess strong grasp of data analysis and performance metrics to analyze and improve company performance.

Strong business acumen and results driven with high flexibility to adapt to changing and new business conditions and challenges.

Strong aptitude in decision-making and possess good analytical abilities and problem-solving skills to address complex problems.

Good verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.

Would have extended relevant experience in strategic managing for both white- and blue-collar workers and possess a strong ability to supervise.

Additionally, knowledge of best practices in commercial and operational processes, an excellent network in the maritime environment and strong crisis management skills are huge advantages.

The role operates in a Matrix environment with strong responsibility towards the business/country P&L.

Unlock job insights

Hirer responsiveness Salary match Number of applicants

Your application will include the following questions:

• Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Malaysia?
• How many years' experience do you have as a country manager?
• Which of the following types of qualifications do you have?
• How many years' experience do you have as a manager / team lead?
• How many years experience in Marine Services do you have?

K.S.P. Towage Sdn Bhd is a leading owner and operator of a large fleet of harbour tugs in Malaysia. We offer our expert harbour towage services in our local Malaysia Ports and provide towage support services in our maritime industry.

K.S.P. Towage Sdn Bhd is a leading owner and operator of a large fleet of harbour tugs in Malaysia. We offer our expert harbour towage services in our local Malaysia Ports and provide towage support services in our maritime industry.