chief financial officer (johor).

• Company: Leading Regional Manufacturer

• Location: Johor Bahru (JB), Malaysia (With travel/oversight across regional manufacturing sites)

• Reports To: Chief Executive Officer / Group Managing Director

• Subordinates: Financial Controllers, Regional Plant Finance Managers, Head of Corporate Finance, Treasury & Tax Specialists, and Customs/Logistics Compliance Teams

POSITION OVERVIEW

We are seeking a high-caliber, commercially astute, and dynamic Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to be based at our corporate headquarters in Johor Bahru. As a market-leading regional manufacturer with a footprint spanning Southeast Asia, our organization is undergoing a thrilling phase of capacity expansion, cross-border market penetration, and industrial automation.

This role is tailored for a strategic financial powerhouse who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is keen to escape the Kuala Lumpur commute to anchor themselves in the booming economic landscape of Johor. As the co-pilot to the CEO, you will oversee the group’s regional financial health, spearhead multi-million-dollar capital investments, optimize complex cross-border supply chain margins, and ensure world-class governance across all regional manufacturing operations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Regional Financial Strategy & Capital Allocation

• Partner with the executive board to design and execute a robust 5-year regional expansion roadmap, managing capital structures across multiple currencies and jurisdictions.

• Conduct advanced corporate planning, feasibility modeling, and post-investment appraisals for new manufacturing plants, warehouse expansions, and cross-border joint ventures.

• Structure and negotiate complex corporate finance exercises, including regional fundraising, bank credit facilities, and asset-backed financing.

2. Manufacturing Operations, Supply Chain & Cost Optimization

• Deliver aggressive cost-containment strategies by working directly with regional Plant Managers to audit manufacturing lines, material yield variances, and standard costing structures.

• Maximize regional working capital efficiency by designing optimized inventory control cycles, managing cash release loops, and tracking volatile raw material procurement pipelines.

• Ensure robust financial oversight of cross-border logistics, import/export custom tariffs, and tax compliance (e.g., Free Trade Zone incentives, reinvestment allowances).

3. Treasury, FX Risk Management & Governance

• Formulate and implement sophisticated foreign exchange (FX) hedging strategies to shield the group’s cross-border transactions and profit margins from currency fluctuations.

• Oversee statutory reporting, cash flow forecasting, and consolidated regional tax planning to optimize the group's effective tax rate across diverse fiscal regimes.

• Champion strict internal control frameworks, corporate governance, and risk mitigation policies across all manufacturing sites.

4. Team Leadership & Digital Transformation

• Lead, mentor, and unify a diverse, multi-cultural finance and accounting team based in Johor Bahru and regional satellite offices.

• Act as the executive sponsor for digital transformation within finance, driving the rollout of integrated ERP systems, automated cost-accounting modules, and real-time business intelligence dashboards.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Professional Certifications: Mandatory membership with the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA). Active professional certifications such as ACCA, CPA Australia, ICAEW, or CIMA are strictly required.

• Experience: Minimum of 12–15 years of progressive financial leadership experience, with at least 5 years as a CFO or Finance Director within a heavy/high-volume manufacturing environment. Regional (ASEAN) exposure is highly preferred.

• Technical Mastery: Deep, practical expertise in manufacturing cost accounting, supply chain finance, regional taxation, and corporate fundraising.

• Strategic Capability: A dynamic and visionary leader who looks beyond the ledger to identify commercial whitespace, optimize operational efficiency, and drive sustainable profitability.

• Communication & Stakeholder Management: Exceptional interpersonal and negotiation skills. Ability to build immediate trust with institutional lenders, board directors, regional joint-venture partners, and government bodies.

• Locational Advantage: Must be currently based in Johor Bahru or entirely willing to permanently relocate to JB to maintain a highly visible, hands-on presence at our corporate headquarters.

• Languages: Fluency in English and Bahasa Malaysia is mandatory. Ability to speak regional languages (e.g., Mandarin) is a strong advantage to facilitate smooth communication with regional suppliers and cross-border entities.

WHAT'S ON OFFER

• An influential, C-suite leadership seat within a resilient, expanding regional corporate giant.

• Highly competitive executive compensation package including performance bonuses, housing/car allowances, and comprehensive corporate healthcare benefits.

• The opportunity to drive the financial strategy of a regional manufacturing champion right from the heart of Malaysia’s fastest-growing economic corridor.