MANAGER - PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Jaya Grocer; Malaysia; Hybrid; MYR 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Jaya Grocer is seeking a seasoned Public Affairs and Regulatory Affairs leader to strengthen Malaysia’s regulatory engagement. You will be at the center of the local policy landscape, linking government priorities with store operations and growth strategies.

You will lead licensing, renewals, and compliance across states, coordinate with federal and local authorities, advise senior management on regulatory risks, and build trusted relationships with regulators and industry groups to support

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of relevant experience in public affairs, government relations, regulatory affairs, corporate affairs, or regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Jaya Grocer’s primary liaison with government stakeholders, including agencies, regulators, local councils, and enforcement bodies.
• Have a strong understanding of licensing and regulatory requirements across different states and local council jurisdictions to support store operations and business expansion.
• Anticipate and quickly resolve government-related operational issues that could delay or disrupt business operations and continuity.
• Lead engagements with the appropriate authorities on licensing, inspections, regulatory approvals, compliance matters, and enforcement actions.
• Coordinate internal responses to regulatory inquiries or inspections, ensuring clear ownership and timely follow-through.
• Build trusted working relationships with key government and industry stakeholders to enable constructive engagement and effective issue resolution.

Skills

Public Affairs

Regulatory Affairs

Stakeholder Management

Policy Analysis

Communication Skills

Malaysian Regulations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Policy / Law / Business

Job description

Strengthen Jaya Grocer’s engagement with Malaysia’s government and regulatory ecosystem. Be at the centre of the local regulatory landscape, connecting it to the operational and strategic actions that support Jaya Grocer’s business continuity and growth. Coordinates the internal team with the government's multi-stakeholder group, ensuring on-the-ground matters are managed effectively and on time. Resolve urgent regulatory roadblocks, anticipate and address policy changes, advise senior management on the policy landscape affecting the business, and provide meaningful input into the company's decision-making and strategy. Understand Malaysia’s federal, state and local regulatory dynamics and build trusted relationships with the respective partners. Identify opportunities for Jaya Grocer to contribute to national priorities, including food security, economic development, sustainability, and community well-being, thereby strengthening the brand position as a trusted and responsible partner in Malaysia’s retail ecosystem.

KeyResponsibilities:

• Serve as Jaya Grocer’s primary liaison with government stakeholders, including agencies, regulators, local councils, and enforcement bodies.
• Have a strong understanding of licensing and regulatory requirements across different states and local council jurisdictions to support store operations and business expansion.
• Anticipate and quickly resolve government-related operational issues that could delay or disrupt business operations and continuity.
• Lead engagements with the appropriate authorities on licensing, inspections, regulatory approvals, compliance matters, and enforcement actions.
• Coordinate internal responses to regulatory inquiries or inspections, ensuring clear ownership and timely follow-through.
• Build trusted working relationships with key government and industry stakeholders to enable constructive engagement and effective issue resolution.

2. RegulatoryCompliance & Strategic Advisory

• Oversee any applications, renewals, licenses, or any regulatory approvals required for Jaya Grocer’s operations.
• Partner with Operations, Legal, Quality Assurance, Store Development, and other team to ensure relevant procedures are aligned with Malaysian laws and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor policy and regulatory developments at the federal, state, and local municipal (PBT) levels, and ensure that the impact is minimized on the business’s operations and growth.
• Advise senior management on regulatory risks, licensing strategies, stakeholder engagement approaches, and the most practical course of action when issues arise.
• Proactively identify regulatory vulnerabilities and coordinate preventive or corrective actions to reduce any risk of regulatory action that can cause store disruption.
• Maintain clear visibility of licensing status, regulatory risks, outstanding actions, and upcoming deadlines across the business.

3. GovernmentPartnerships & Advocacy

• Identify opportunities to partner with government on relevant priorities that enable Jaya Grocer to contribute meaningfully to Malaysia’s nation-building agenda.
• Gather industry intelligence and policy insights to support business planning, regulatory positioning, and advocacy priorities.
• Represent Jaya Grocer in government and industry forums.
• Perform other related duties or requests specified by the department head.

You should have:

• 5–7 years of relevant experience in public affairs, government relations, regulatory affairs, corporate affairs, or regulatory compliance.
• Professionally fluent in Bahasa Malaysia and English, with the ability to communicate clearly with government and business stakeholders.
• Professional relationships across relevant Malaysian government agencies, local authorities, or industry associations.
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Law, Corporate Communications, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Direct experience engaging Malaysian government agencies, regulators, local councils, or enforcement bodies and understanding how requirements may differ across jurisdictions.
• Must demonstrate excellent understanding of Malaysia’s retail regulatory environment, including relevant requirements that impact retail business.
• Able to manage regulatory inspections, inquiries, licensing matters, or enforcement-related issues calmly and effectively while protecting business continuity.
• Able to analyze regulatory developments, translate them into business implications, and present practical recommendations to senior management.
• Experience in supermarkets, retail, FMCG, food, hospitality, or another highly regulated consumer-facing industry is an advantage.
• Experience using AI tools and emerging technologies to improve policy research, stakeholder monitoring, regulatory analysis, workflows, and productivity while applying appropriate judgment and confidentiality.