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We are now seeking a full-time Head of Malaysia to join our team in GFS - Global Freight Services (An Affiliate of Li & Fung)
About the Role
GFS Global Freight Services is seeking an experienced, commercially driven and results-oriented Head of Malaysia to lead and grow its Malaysia business.
This role is intended for a highly successful freight forwarding leader with proven experience in driving profitable growth, securing new customers, winning strategic accounts, and managing full country P&L responsibilities.
The successful candidate must possess a strong track record in international freight forwarding (Air Freight, Ocean Freight, Customs Brokerage and integrated Supply Chain Solutions) and demonstrate a successful track record of driving business growth, expanding market share, securing strategic customer wins, and leading commercial teams to achieve sustainable revenue and profitability growth.
This is a hands-on leadership role requiring equal strength in commercial sales leadership, operational excellence, and financial management.
Key Responsibilities
1. Country Leadership & P&L Management
Accountable for the overall financial health of the Malaysia business, including revenue, gross profit, EBIT, cash flow, working capital management and return on investment.
- Assume full accountability for the Malaysia business performance, including revenue growth, gross profit, EBIT, cash flow, working capital and overall profitability.
- Develop and execute the country's strategic business plan aligned with regional objectives.
- Drive sustainable growth while ensuring strict cost control and financial discipline.
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, business planning and monthly performance reviews.
- Own country-level operational and commercial KPIs.
2) Business Growth & Market Development
The Head of Malaysia will play a pivotal role in driving sustainable business growth, strengthening market presence, and expanding the company's customer portfolio across Malaysia. Leveraging prior sales leadership experience and strong commercial acumen, the incumbent will lead the development and execution of strategies to acquire new customers, expand existing accounts, and increase market share.
- Lead the identification, pursuit and conversion of strategic business opportunities, ensuring continuous growth in customer base, revenue streams and market share.
- Drive revenue growth and profitability through strategic business development and market expansion initiatives.
- Lead the acquisition of new customers and strategic accounts while ensuring sustainable long-term business growth.
- Develop and execute commercial strategies to increase market penetration and strengthen GFS's position in the freight forwarding industry.
- Work closely with the sales organization on customer engagement, business opportunities, contract negotiations, and solution development.
- Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with senior decision-makers, procurement leaders, supply chain executives, and key industry stakeholders.
- Identify new market opportunities, industry verticals, and growth segments to diversify and strengthen the customer portfolio.
- Provide leadership and direction to the commercial team in pipeline management, sales strategy, customer retention, and account development.
- Champion a customer-centric culture that balances business growth, service excellence, and profitability.
3. Commercial Leadership
- Lead and mentor the sales and business development teams.
- Create a high-performance commercial culture focused on growth and accountability.
- Drive customer retention, cross-selling and business expansion initiatives.
- Monitor market trends, competitor activities and emerging opportunities.
4. Operational Excellence
- Ensure efficient and profitable execution of freight forwarding operations.
- Drive continuous improvement in customer service, productivity and operational efficiency.
- Maintain high service quality standards across Air Freight, Ocean Freight, Customs Brokerage and Logistics operations.
- Ensure compliance with local regulations and company governance standards.
5. People Leadership
- Build, develop and retain a high-performing team.
- Drive employee engagement, succession planning and talent development.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and customer excellence.
Mandatory Requirements
Industry Experience
- Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience within the International Freight Forwarding industry.
- Current or recent experience with a global or regional freight forwarding company is highly preferred.
Commercial & Business Leadership Experience
- Demonstrated success in driving profitable business growth within the international freight forwarding industry.
- Proven track record in securing new customer accounts, expanding strategic relationships and increasing market share.
- Strong commercial orientation with experience leading sales organizations and driving revenue and gross profit performance.
- Established network within the Malaysia freight forwarding and logistics market, with strong relationships across key customer and industry segments.
- Ability to demonstrate tangible achievements in business expansion, customer acquisition, profitability improvement and organizational growth.
P&L Experience
- Must have held direct and full P&L responsibility for a country, business unit or significant freight forwarding operation.
- Experience managing revenue, profitability, budgeting, forecasting and financial performance.
- Able to demonstrate measurable business improvements and financial achievements.
Commercial Leadership Experience
- Demonstrated track record of leading business growth and expanding market share within an international freight forwarding organization.
- Proven success in securing new customer accounts and developing strategic customer relationships.
- Experience managing and coaching sales teams to consistently achieve revenue and profitability targets.
- Ability to demonstrate measurable commercial achievements, including revenue growth, gross profit improvement, customer acquisition and market expansion.
Industry Background
- Candidates must possess recent and substantive experience within an international freight forwarding organization. Experience predominantly gained in warehousing, manufacturing, procurement, shipping lines, courier/express, trucking, distribution, supply chain consulting, or non-asset logistics businesses without freight forwarding P&L responsibility will not be considered.
Education
- Bachelor's Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, International Business, Maritime Studies, Transportation Management or equivalent.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience leading a Malaysia country organization.
- Experience in Air Freight and Ocean Freight forwarding businesses.
- Experience managing multinational customer accounts.
- Exposure to regional or Asia-Pacific leadership responsibilities.
If this sounds like you,
Apply Now!
As an equal opportunity employer, we shall consider all applicants regardless of gender, age, religion, marital status, race, sexual orientation, disability, disease, pregnancy, or trade union and/or political affiliation, and disregard all factors deemed inappropriate by local law and the International Labor Organization's Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
(Data collected will be used for recruitment purposes only.)
