Business Development Manager

Business Development Manager – Asia Pacific

Location: Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

Work Arrangement: Hybrid / Field-Based

Coverage: Asia Pacific

Employment Type: Full-Time

About Our Client

OUR CLIENT is a global scientific and technical services company specializing in the upstream oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) industry.

With operations across 40+ countries, our client provides specialized technology, laboratory services, analytical solutions, and production-related technologies that help oil and gas operators better understand reservoirs, optimize well performance, and maximize hydrocarbon recovery.

The business operates across several specialized business units. For this role, the focus will be on two key areas:

• Petroleum Services – reservoir characterization, core analysis, special core analysis (SCAL), fluid analysis, reservoir engineering support, formation evaluation, and production optimization.
• ProTechnics – production diagnostics, well surveillance, production allocation, flow profiling, breakthrough detection, and technologies designed to identify production inefficiencies and improve well performance.

The company has an established presence in Malaysia, with its regional Petroleum Services operation based in Shah Alam, Selangor.

About the Role

We are looking for a Business Development Manager to drive commercial growth across Malaysia and the wider Asia Pacific region.

This is a highly client-facing role focused on developing new business, expanding existing customer relationships, and introducing specialized technical solutions to upstream E&P customers.

The successful candidate will be expected to operate independently, build their own client network, identify new opportunities, manage the sales pipeline, and work closely with technical and operational teams to convert customer requirements into commercially viable solutions.

This is not a general oil & gas sales role. Candidates must have meaningful experience within the upstream exploration and production (E&P) environment and be comfortable engaging with technical and operational stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Sales

• Develop and execute business development strategies across assigned Asia Pacific markets.
• Identify new customers, market opportunities, and potential applications for the company's technical solutions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with upstream operators, including NOCs, IOCs, and independent oil & gas companies.
• Conduct regular face-to-face client meetings, site visits, technical discussions, and commercial negotiations.
• Own the sales process from prospecting and opportunity development through proposal, negotiation, and closing.
• Develop and maintain an accurate sales pipeline and forecast.
• Prepare and present technical proposals and commercial quotations tailored to customer requirements.
• Manage RFQ/RFP processes and coordinate responses with internal technical, operations, finance, legal, and QHSE teams.
• Support contract reviews and commercial negotiations.
• Maintain accurate customer and opportunity information within CRM systems such as Salesforce.
• Support collections and follow up on outstanding commercial matters when required.

Market Expansion

• Identify and develop new business opportunities across Malaysia, Indonesia, and other Asia Pacific markets.
• Assess market trends, customer requirements, competitive activity, and emerging opportunities.
• Develop market-entry and account-development strategies for new services and solutions.
• Help expand the regional presence of both established Petroleum Services offerings and emerging ProTechnics solutions.
• Build long-term strategic relationships rather than relying solely on transactional sales.

Technical & Consultative Selling

• Understand customer challenges across reservoir, well, production, and E&P operations.
• Translate technical requirements into commercially relevant solutions.
• Work with technical specialists to develop customized solutions for customers.
• Support job planning and provide consultative input throughout the sales process.
• Clearly communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and commercial stakeholders.

Regional & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with global and regional teams across Sales, Operations, Engineering, Finance, Legal, HR, and QHSE.
• Coordinate effectively with stakeholders located in different countries and time zones.
• Represent the company at industry conferences, trade shows, technical events, and customer meetings.
• Travel regularly across Malaysia and the Asia Pacific region as required.

What We're Looking For

Must-Have

• 3+ years of experience within upstream oil & gas exploration and production (E&P).
• Experience in business development, technical sales, account management, or another client-facing commercial role within upstream E&P.
• Strong understanding of upstream oil & gas operations and the ability to engage with technical and operational stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to develop customer relationships and generate new business.
• Experience managing sales pipelines, RFQs/RFPs, proposals, quotations, and commercial discussions.
• Ability to work independently and manage a client-facing regional schedule.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Valid driver's license and passport.
• Strong English communication skills.

Strongly Preferred

Experience related to one or more of the following:

• Reservoir characterization
• Core analysis / Special Core Analysis (SCAL)
• Fluid analysis
• Reservoir engineering
• Formation evaluation
• Production optimization
• Well diagnostics
• Production surveillance
• Production allocation
• Flow profiling
• Water or gas breakthrough detection
• Completion, production, intervention, or well services

Candidates with established relationships across NOCs, IOCs, and independent operators in Malaysia, Indonesia, or the wider Asia Pacific region will be highly valued.

A background in Geology, Petroleum Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or another relevant scientific/technical discipline is preferred.

Bahasa Malaysia or Bahasa Indonesia would be a strong advantage for regional customer engagement.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role will be measured through commercial performance, including:

• Revenue growth
• New business development
• Customer and account expansion
• Sales pipeline development
• Achievement of annual sales targets
• Commercial profitability and margin performance

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: MYR 20,000 – 24,000/month
• 13th-month salary
• Sales incentive / performance bonus
• On-target bonus opportunity
• Performance-based upside for exceeding targets
• Insurance coverage
• Business travel expenses covered by the company, including flights and hotels

Reporting & Working Style

• Reports directly to a VP based in Houston, USA
• Regional / matrix working environment
• Frequent client-facing travel across Malaysia and Asia Pacific
• Hybrid / field-based working model with no requirement to be in the office every day
• Occasional early morning or evening calls may be required due to international stakeholders

Interview Process

The process is expected to be two online interviews:

1. Initial assessment interview
2. Final discussion with the hiring team

If you are an experienced upstream E&P professional with strong commercial instincts, an existing client network, and the ability to build business independently, we would be interested in speaking with you.

Must-Have Skills: Upstream Oil & Gas E&P, Business Development, Technical Sales, Account Management, Client Relationship Management, RFQ/RFP, Commercial Proposals, Sales Pipeline Management, Reservoir/Well/Production Knowledge, Consultative Selling, Regional APAC Sales, CRM/Salesforce, English Communication, International Travel.