EPCM - General Manager - Operations (Business Development & Project)

Zohorecruit; Johor Bahru; On-site; MYR 420,000 - 620,000; Full time

Job summary

Zohorecruit is partnering with an established EPCM firm in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, to hire a Senior EPCM - General Manager, Operations (Business Development & Project). This role combines P&L ownership, business development, and operations leadership to drive revenue growth and deliver complex projects across the region.

You will oversee both the consultancy arm and manpower services, build the Southern Region office, lead a growing team of engineers and consultants, and pursue new clients in

Qualifications

• Proven track record in business development within construction, EPCM, or consultancy - not just project delivery.
• Strong industry network with developers, contractors, and government stakeholders in Malaysia
• Experience managing both project delivery and a commercial portfolio simultaneously
• Familiarity with manpower supply or foreign worker management is an advantage
• Demonstrated ability to lead and scale teams in a growing business environment
• Comfortable with ambiguity - this is a build-and-run role, not a steady-state one
• Fluency in English; Mandarin is an advantage given the company’s regional structure

Responsibilities

• Identify and secure new business across construction, consultancy, manpower, property, and materials trading
• Lead prequalification submissions, tender processes, and contract negotiations
• Build and maintain strong client relationships with developers, contractors, and government bodies
• Develop marketing and positioning strategies to grow the company’s profile in Malaysia
• Own the annual revenue and order-book targets
• Oversee all active construction and consultancy projects across Malaysia
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget
• Manage contract administration, claims, and variation orders
• Maintain quality assurance and risk management procedures
• Monitor project financials, cash flow, and cost control
• Oversee recruitment and placement of foreign workers for manufacturing and construction clients
• Ensure full compliance with labour laws, immigration regulations, and safety requirements
• Manage workforce planning, worker welfare, accommodation, and site compliance
• Control operational costs while maintaining consistent service quality
• Own the P&L across all business units - budgeting, forecasting, and margin control
• Drive profitability and operational efficiency
• Ensure compliance with construction regulations, HSE standards, and statutory requirements
• Manage contractual risks and legal exposure
• Lead and grow the team - project managers, engineers, consultants, and support staff
• Set KPIs and performance targets aligned with business goals
• Lead the setup and day-to-day operations of the Southern Region office once established
• Identify new geographic and sectoral markets; develop and execute entry strategies
• Conduct feasibility studies and competitive market analysis for expansion opportunities

Job description

EPCM - General Manager - Operations (Business Development & Project)

Johor Bahru, Malaysia

This is an established EPCM firm with over 20 years of regional experience, operating across Asia. The business delivers end-to-end engineering, procurement, and construction management solutions across the industrial, oil & gas, logistics, energy, semiconductor, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail sectors - serving a client base that includes multiple Fortune 500 companies.

The Malaysia operation is entering a new growth phase. A Southern Region office is being established, and this role is central in making that happen.

The Role

This is a senior leadership position - part P&L owner, part business developer, part operations head. You will be responsible for driving revenue growth, managing delivery, and building the company’s presence across Malaysia.

You will oversee both the EPCM consultancy arm and the manpower services business, while actively pursuing new clients and opportunities across construction, consultancy, property development, and building materials trading.

Once the Southern Region office is set up, you will lead it.

What You’ll Be Doing

Business Development & Revenue

• Identify and secure new business across construction, consultancy, manpower, property, and materials trading
• Lead prequalification submissions, tender processes, and contract negotiations
• Build and maintain strong client relationships with developers, contractors, and government bodies
• Develop marketing and positioning strategies to grow the company’s profile in Malaysia
• Own the annual revenue and order-book targets

EPCM Project Delivery

• Oversee all active construction and consultancy projects across Malaysia
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget
• Manage contract administration, claims, and variation orders
• Maintain quality assurance and risk management procedures
• Monitor project financials, cash flow, and cost control

Manpower Business

• Oversee recruitment and placement of foreign workers for manufacturing and construction clients
• Ensure full compliance with labour laws, immigration regulations, and safety requirements
• Manage workforce planning, worker welfare, accommodation, and site compliance
• Control operational costs while maintaining consistent service quality
• Own the P&L across all business units - budgeting, forecasting, and margin control
• Drive profitability and operational efficiency
• Ensure compliance with construction regulations, HSE standards, and statutory requirements
• Manage contractual risks and legal exposure

Leadership & Expansion

• Lead and grow the team - project managers, engineers, consultants, and support staff
• Set KPIs and performance targets aligned with business goals
• Lead the setup and day-to-day operations of the Southern Region office once established
• Identify new geographic and sectoral markets; develop and execute entry strategies
• Conduct feasibility studies and competitive market analysis for expansion opportunities

Requirements

What We’re Looking For

• Proven track record in business development within construction, EPCM, or consultancy - not just project delivery
• Strong industry network with developers, contractors, and government stakeholders in Malaysia
• Experience managing both project delivery and a commercial portfolio simultaneously
• Familiarity with manpower supply or foreign worker management is an advantage
• Demonstrated ability to lead and scale teams in a growing business environment
• Comfortable with ambiguity - this is a build-and-run role, not a steady-state one
• Fluency in English; Mandarin is an advantage given the company’s regional structure

Why This Role

• Direct impact - you’re not just managing a function, you’re effectively running a business unit
• Greenfield opportunity to lead the expansion into Southern Malaysia
• Regional exposure across Malaysia, China, and Vietnam operations
• Backed by 20+ years of established EPCM expertise and strong Fortune 500 client relationships