General Manager (Plantation Management)

KHK Plantation; Raub; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

KHK Plantation seeks a General Manager to lead its durian plantation operations across estates, aligning strategic direction with commercial performance and sustainable growth. You will oversee cultivation, productivity, costs, people and compliance while driving technology adoption and market development.

The role requires senior leadership experience, strong Mandarin and English communication, and willingness to travel between estates to ensure execution of growth initiatives and profitability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or related field with strong practical knowledge.
• Minimum 10 years of plantation/agriculture experience, including senior leadership roles.
• Proven track record managing large-scale plantation operations and multi-function teams.
• Experience in durian or high-value fruit cultivation in commercial settings.
• Exposure to China market, exports or international trading is advantageous.
• Proficiency in Mandarin and English for diverse stakeholder communication.
• Strong leadership, strategic thinking, problem-solving and decisive decision-making.
• Willingness to travel regularly between estates and other locations.

Responsibilities

• Lead overall plantation operations and strategic direction across durian estates.
• Oversee cultivation activities, crop health, yield, quality and productivity.
• Drive cost management, planning, and continuous improvement of practices.
• Develop budgets, plans and KPIs to meet objectives and ROI.
• Lead estate management teams, manpower planning and performance management.
• Promote smart farming, precision agriculture and data-driven management.
• Ensure compliance with agricultural, environmental, safety and export rules.
• Build relationships with customers, suppliers, and government bodies.
• Develop China market opportunities by engaging buyers, distributors and partners.
• Identify and evaluate opportunities across cultivation, processing, supply chain and partnerships.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Problem-solving

Decision-making

Mandarin & English proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture/Agronomy/Horticulture/Plantation Management/Agribusiness

Job description

The General Manager will be responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction and commercial performance of KHK Plantation’s durian plantation operations across its estates. The role will oversee plantation operations, agricultural productivity, financial performance, people management, technology adoption, quality assurance and business development to ensure sustainable growth and long-term profitability.

The successful candidate will work closely with Group Management and cross-functional teams to develop and execute plantation strategies, optimise yield and cost efficiency, strengthen operational standards and support the development of an integrated durian agribusiness value chain from cultivation to post-harvest, processing and market development.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the overall plantation operations and strategic direction across KHK’s durian estates, ensuring alignment with business objectives and long-term growth plans.

Oversee end-to-end durian cultivation activities, ensuring optimal crop health, yield, fruit quality and productivity across all plantation operations.

Drive plantation efficiency through effective cost management, resource utilisation, operational planning and continuous improvement of plantation practices.

Develop and manage annual budgets, operational plans, performance targets and KPIs to ensure plantation operations achieve agreed business objectives.

Lead and develop estate management teams, ensuring effective manpower planning, performance management, workforce productivity and operational discipline.

Drive the adoption of modern farming practices, precision agriculture and appropriate technology to improve productivity, efficiency and data-driven plantation management.

Ensure plantation operations comply with relevant agricultural, environmental, labour, certification, safety and export requirements, including applicable industry standards.

Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, suppliers, government agencies, industry stakeholders and strategic business partners to support plantation and business.

Develop China market opportunities by establishing relationships with Chinese buyers, distributors, investors and strategic partners within the durian and agribusiness sector.

Identify and evaluate opportunities across durian cultivation, processing, supply chain and commercial partnerships to support the expansion of KHK Plantation’s agribusiness.

Qualifications and Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Horticulture, Plantation Management, Agribusiness or a related discipline, with strong practical industry knowledge.

Minimum 10 years of relevant plantation or agricultural experience, including substantial experience in a senior management or leadership capacity.

Proven experience managing large-scale plantation operations, estate teams, agricultural production and day-to-day operational performance across multiple functions.

Strong experience in durian or high-value fruit cultivation, preferably within a commercial plantation or large-scale agricultural environment.

Exposure to the China market, agricultural exports, international trading or established Chinese business networks will be highly advantageous.

Proficiency in Mandarin and English, with the ability to communicate effectively with management, employees, government agencies and international business stakeholders.

Strong leadership, strategic thinking, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities, with a hands-on approach to plantation and business operations.

Willingness to travel regularly between KHK’s plantation estates and other business locations as required to oversee operations and business activities.

Strategic Leadership.

Plantation & Agribusiness Management.

Durian / Horticulture Knowledge.

China Market Development.

Export & Regulatory Compliance.

Supply Chain Management.

Smart Farming & Agricultural Technology.

Key Performance Indicators

Plantation yield and productivity.

Yield per acre / tree performance.

Fruit quality and grading.

Production and operating cost efficiency.

Plantation profitability and ROI.

Labour productivity.

Crop loss and wastage.

Operational compliance and audit performance.