OPERATION MANAGER

JOB DESCRIPTION – OPERATIONS MANAGER

Position: Operations Manager

Department: Operations

Reports To: General Manager / Managing Director

Location: Pulau Meranti Puchong, Selangor

1.     JOB PURPOSE

The Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing and improving the Company’s overall operational activities to ensure efficiency, productivity, cost effectiveness, compliance and achievement of business objectives. As the Company is currently preparing for an Initial Public Offering (IPO), the Operations Manager will play a key role in strengthening operational governance, internal controls, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), performance monitoring, documentation and audit readiness to support the Company’s transition towards a public-listed environment. The position requires a hands-on and commercially minded leader with strong operational management experience and preferably direct exposure to an IPO, pre-IPO exercise or public-listed company environment.

2.     KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Overall Operations Management

• Oversee and coordinate the Company’s day-to-day operational activities.
• Ensure operational objectives are aligned with the Company’s overall business strategy and Management direction.
• Coordinate effectively across Production, Project, Procurement, Warehouse, Logistics, QA/QC, Maintenance, HR, Finance and other relevant functions.
• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement effective corrective and preventive measures.
• Ensure resources, manpower and operational capacity are effectively utilised.
• Establish clear accountability and reporting structures across operational functions.
• Provide regular operational updates and recommendations to Senior Management.

IPO Readiness & Corporate Governance

• Support Management in preparing the Company’s operations for its IPO and listing exercise.
• Work closely with Senior Management, Finance, HR, internal auditors, external auditors and IPO advisers during the IPO preparation and due diligence process.
• Review existing operational practices and identify gaps against the governance and control standards expected of a public-listed organisation.
• Strengthen operational internal controls, approval processes, segregation of duties and accountability.
• Ensure operational transactions and decisions are properly authorised, documented and traceable.
• Coordinate the preparation of operational documents and supporting information required for IPO due diligence.
• Assist Management in addressing operational findings or recommendations raised by auditors and IPO advisers.
• Promote a strong culture of governance, transparency, accountability and compliance throughout the organisation.

SOP & Internal Control

• Develop, review, standardise and implement SOPs across operational departments.
• Ensure operational processes are properly documented and consistently followed.
• Establish appropriate control points, approval matrices and reporting mechanisms.
• Conduct periodic reviews to ensure SOPs remain relevant and effective.
• Monitor compliance with Company policies, procedures and delegated authority limits.
• Ensure corrective actions arising from internal or external audits are implemented within the agreed timeline.

Operational Performance & KPI

• Establish measurable KPIs for key operational functions.
• Monitor operational performance against approved targets.
• Develop management dashboards and periodic operational reports.
• Analyse operational data to identify trends, risks and areas for improvement.
• Monitor key indicators including productivity, utilisation, delivery performance, project progress, quality, wastage, inventory and operating costs.
• Present operational performance and improvement plans to Senior Management.

Cost Control & Budget Management

• Work with Finance and relevant departments in preparing operational budgets and forecasts.
• Monitor actual operational expenditure against approved budgets.
• Identify and implement cost optimisation initiatives.
• Improve utilisation of manpower, materials, equipment and other Company resources.
• Ensure cost-saving initiatives do not compromise quality, safety, compliance or customer requirements
• Provide Management with appropriate analysis and recommendations on significant operational expenditure.

Supply Chain, Procurement & Inventory Oversight

• Oversee and coordinate procurement, inventory, warehouse and logistics activities where applicable.
• Ensure adequate materials and resources are available to support operational requirements.
• Monitor supplier performance, delivery timelines and operational risks.
• Improve inventory control and minimise excessive, obsolete or slow-moving stock.
• Ensure proper documentation and approval processes for purchasing and inventory transactions.
• Support strategic supplier evaluation and cost optimisation initiatives.

Project & Customer Delivery

• Coordinate with Project, Sales and other relevant departments to ensure commitments to customers are achievable and delivered according to schedule.
• Monitor project and operational timelines and escalate significant delays or risks to Management.
• Ensure adequate operational resources are allocated to support projects.
• Facilitate cross-functional problem solving where operational issues affect customer delivery.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Identify key operational risks and establish appropriate mitigation and contingency plans.
• Maintain an operational risk register where required.
• Ensure compliance with applicable Company policies, contractual requirements and Malaysian regulatory requirements.
• Support internal audits, external audits, regulatory inspections and management reviews.
• Monitor corrective and preventive actions arising from audit or compliance findings.
• Ensure proper records and supporting documentation are maintained for audit and due diligence purposes.

Continuous Improvement & Digitalisation

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the organisation.
• Review existing workflows and eliminate unnecessary or inefficient processes.
• Promote Lean, 5S, Kaizen or other relevant improvement methodologies.
• Identify opportunities for automation, system integration and digitalisation.
• Develop scalable operational processes capable of supporting the Company’s future growth following IPO.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead and develop managers, supervisors and employees within the Operations function.
• Establish clear roles, responsibilities and performance expectations.
• Work closely with HR on manpower planning, recruitment, performance management, training and succession planning.
• Build a culture of accountability, teamwork, discipline and continuous improvement.
• Develop capable second-line leaders and succession plans for critical operational positions.

3.     QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Business Administration, Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management or a related discipline.
• Minimum 8–10 years of relevant operations experience, including at least 5 years in a managerial or senior leadership capacity.
• Strong experience in managing multiple operational functions and cross-functional teams.
• Prior involvement in an IPO, pre-IPO exercise or public-listed company environment is highly preferred.
• Candidates with direct experience supporting IPO due diligence, internal-control reviews, SOP development, audit readiness and corporate governance improvement will have a strong advantage.
• Strong knowledge of operational management, budgeting, cost control, KPI management and process improvement.
• Experience working with internal auditors, external auditors and professional advisers is advantageous.
• Strong analytical, leadership, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• High level of integrity, accountability and attention to detail.

4.     PREFERRED IPO EXPERIENCE

Preference will be given to candidates who have:

• Directly participated in an IPO or pre-IPO exercise.
• Experience working in a public-listed company or an organisation preparing for listing.
• Participated in IPO operational due diligence.
• Assisted in establishing or strengthening internal controls, SOPs and governance framework
• Worked with internal auditors, external auditors, investment bankers, legal advisers or IPO consultants.
• Experience preparing operational information, supporting documents and management reports for IPO-related reviews.
• Successfully transformed informal or owner-managed operational processes into structured, documented and auditable processes.

5.     KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPI)

Performance may be assessed based on:

• Achievement of operational targets
• Operational cost and budget performance
• Productivity and efficiency improvement
• Delivery and project performance
• Reduction of operational errors, wastage and inefficiencies
• SOP implementation and compliance
• Internal-control effectiveness
• Audit findings and closure of corrective actions
• Accuracy and timeliness of operational reporting
• Progress against IPO readiness requirements
• Cost-saving and continuous improvement initiatives
• Development and performance of the Operations team