Manager - Public Affairs

TRENDCELL SDN. BHD.; Petaling Jaya; On-site; MYR 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Jaya Grocer, an affiliate of Grab, seeks a seasoned Government Relations leader to coordinate Malaysia’s regulatory engagement and align policy with business strategy. You will engage federal, state, and local authorities to support store operations and growth.

In this role, monitor regulatory developments, advise senior management on licensing strategies, and build trusted partnerships with regulators and industry bodies to support growth and responsible retail in Malaysia’s landscape.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of 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.

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.
• Oversee any applications, renewals, licenses, or any regulatory approvals required for Jaya Grocer’s operations.

Skills

Public affairs

Government relations

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Law, Corporate Communications, Business Administration, or related discipline

Job description

Jaya Grocer is an affiliate of Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading superapp. To bring the convenience of on-demand grocery delivery to more consumers in Malaysia, we are dedicated towards building a strong team that is aligned with our goals. At Jaya Grocer, team collaboration and dedication are what we require to deliver quality products and service to our consumers and customers.

Our Vision:

Our goal is to become the leading online-to-offline (O2O) retailer, leveraging our omnichannel strength to provide our customers with a rewarding, fulfilling, and exciting experience. Our goal is for customers to say “I can get what I want whenever I need it”. We aim to achieve this through offering high-quality yet affordable goods, facilitating seamless cashless checkouts, loyalty membership via GrabRewards and introducing our private label with "Grab Signatures."

Our Mission:

Provide a diverse variety of High Quality and Fresh Produce

Offer attractive Best Value Pricing

Ensure customers have the Best Shopping Experience

To grow the business through successful Collaboration and Partnerships

Practice the Values of Jaya Grocer every single day

Our Values:

Teamwork

Trust

Integrity

Customer Satisfaction

Growth

These Values form the foundation of our organization and should be lived by each of us, as they are a part of our DNA. So, if you fit the profile and are able to contribute towards our goals, join us!

Get to know the role:

Strengthen Jaya Grocer’s engagement with Malaysia’s government and regulatory ecosystem. Be at the center 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.

Key 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.

2. Regulatory Compliance & 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 teams 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. Government Partnerships & 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.

Jaya Grocer is a leading premium supermarket chain in Malaysia and an affiliate of Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading superapp. With over 50 stores, we offer high-quality, fresh, and imported products.

Through our online-to-offline (O2O) model, we provide seamless shopping experiences both in-store and online, with cashless checkouts, GrabRewards, and our Grab Signatures private label.

Driven by our values—Teamwork, Trust, Integrity, Customer Satisfaction, and Growth—we aim to deliver quality, value, and convenience to every customer.

Jaya Grocer is a leading premium supermarket chain in Malaysia and an affiliate of Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading superapp. With over 50 stores, we offer high-quality, fresh, and imported products.

Through our online-to-offline (O2O) model, we provide seamless shopping experiences both in-store and online, with cashless checkouts, GrabRewards, and our Grab Signatures private label.

Driven by our values—Teamwork, Trust, Integrity, Customer Satisfaction, and Growth—we aim to deliver quality, value, and convenience to every customer.