Operation Manager

Build, lead and improve our project operations

Separating People from Hazards is our life’s work.

Kee Safety is a global manufacturer and supplier of safety and fall-protection systems and solutions. We are passionate about protecting people working at height and providing our customers with practical, reliable and high-quality safety solutions.

As our business continues to grow, we are looking for an experienced and hands-on Operations Manager to lead our day-to-day project and operational activities in Malaysia and support projects across Southeast Asia.

This is a key leadership position for someone who enjoys being close to the operation, developing people, solving problems and ensuring that projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to the required quality standards.

The Role

Reporting to the General Manager, you will take responsibility for the effective execution of projects from internal handover through design, procurement coordination, site installation, inspection, handover and close-out.

You will lead and coordinate project, design/engineering and site resources while working closely with Sales, Commercial, Procurement, Warehouse, Finance, customers, consultants and subcontractors.

You will also play an important role in strengthening our operational capability, improving project controls, developing our people and building a scalable operation to support continued growth in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

Key Responsibilities

· Project & Operational Delivery

• Manage multiple projects from handover through completion and close-out.
• Develop project execution plans, schedules, resource requirements and delivery priorities.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on programme, within budget and in accordance with contractual and technical requirements.
• Monitor project progress and proactively resolve delays, site constraints and operational issues.
• Coordinate project interfaces between design, procurement, logistics and site installation.
• Maintain clear visibility of project priorities, risks, outstanding actions and customer commitments.
• Ensure inspections, handovers, defect rectification and project close-out are completed effectively.

· Design & Engineering Coordination

• Manage the priorities and workload of the Design/Engineering team.
• Ensure shop drawings, technical submissions and other project information are produced accurately and on time.
• Coordinate technical queries, design changes and approvals with customers, consultants and internal teams.
• Ensure approved and current information is available before procurement, fabrication and installation.
• Support the resolution of technical issues arising during project execution.

· Site & Installation Management

• Plan and coordinate installation activities across active project sites.
• Ensure sufficient supervision, manpower, materials, tools and equipment are available to meet project requirements.
• Monitor site progress, installation productivity and workmanship.
• Coordinate work fronts, access requirements and interfaces with customers and other contractors.
• Ensure installations comply with approved drawings, specifications and installation requirements.

· Resource & Team Management

• Plan and allocate project managers, engineers, designers, supervisors, installers and subcontractors according to workload and priorities.
• Monitor operational capacity and identify future resource requirements.
• Lead, coach and develop the Operations team.
• Establish clear responsibilities, priorities and performance expectations.
• Build a culture of accountability, teamwork, problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training and capability development within the Operations function.

· Safety & Quality

• Champion a strong Environment, Safety and Health (ESH) culture across all projects and operational activities.
• Ensure compliance with company requirements, customer requirements and applicable safety standards.
• Ensure adequate risk assessments, method statements, permits and site controls are in place.
• Participate in site inspections, safety reviews and corrective actions.
• Ensure work is completed in accordance with approved technical and quality requirements.
• Monitor NCRs, defects, rework and customer complaints and ensure appropriate corrective action.
• Promote a right-first-time culture across project and installation teams.

· Cost & Commercial Performance

• Monitor project operational costs, labour, subcontractor expenditure and resource utilisation.
• Track project performance against budgets and forecasts.
• Identify potential cost overruns and margin risks at an early stage.
• Improve profitability through stronger planning, productivity, resource utilisation and cost control.
• Ensure scope changes and additional works are properly identified and communicated.
• Work closely with Commercial and Sales teams on variations and other project commercial matters.
• Review subcontractor quotations and progress claims as required.

· Subcontractor & Supplier Management

• Develop and maintain a competent network of subcontractors and installation partners.
• Support the evaluation and onboarding of new partners.
• Lead, coach and develop the Operations team.
• Establish clear responsibilities, priorities and performance expectations.
• Build a culture of accountability, teamwork, problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, training and capability development within the Operations function.
• Monitor subcontractor performance covering safety, quality, productivity, programme and cost.

· Supply Chain & Logistics Coordination

• Coordinate with Procurement, Warehouse and Logistics teams to ensure materials are available in line with project requirements.
• Monitor critical and long-lead materials that could impact project schedules.
• Coordinate project delivery priorities and installation sequencing.
• Support effective inventory, material traceability and operational asset control.
• Minimise emergency purchasing, material shortages and unnecessary logistics costs through better forward planning.

· Customer & Stakeholder Management

• Build strong professional relationships with customers, consultants, main contractors and other stakeholders.
• Represent the company at project, progress, quality and operational meetings.
• Provide clear and timely communication on project status, risks and priorities.
• Manage customer expectations while safeguarding the company's operational and commercial interests.
• Ensure project concerns and customer complaints are addressed promptly and professionally.

· Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Provide accurate weekly and monthly operational reporting to the Head of Operations.
• Monitor project progress, resource utilisation, costs, safety, quality, risks and material readiness.
• Maintain appropriate project dashboards, action trackers and risk registers.
• Identify recurring operational issues and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Drive improvements in project management, design coordination, installation productivity and operational processes.
• Standardise best practices and capture lessons learned across projects.
• Address underperformance and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Help develop scalable installation capability to support business growth within Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

What We are Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 8–10 years of relevant experience in construction, engineering, industrial projects or a project-based operational environment.
• Proven experience managing multiple projects and operational teams.
• Strong experience in site execution, installation management and project delivery.
• Experience managing engineers, designers, site teams and subcontractors.
• Good understanding of planning, resource management, project cost control, quality and ESH requirements.
• Experience working with customers, consultants and main contractors.

Experience in fall protection, safe-access systems, structural steel, guardrail systems, industrial installation, data centres or construction safety solutions would be a strong advantage.

Regional project experience within Southeast Asia would also be beneficial.

Skills & Attributes

We are looking for someone who brings:

• Strong leadership and people-management skills.
• Excellent planning and organisational ability.
• A practical, hands-on approach to operations.
• Strong project and site-management capability.
• Good commercial and financial awareness.
• Strong understanding of safety and quality.
• Ability to read and understand drawings, specifications and project requirements.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong customer and stakeholder-management skills.
• Confidence working in a fast-paced, multi-project environment.
• High levels of accountability and ownership.
• A proactive, solutions-driven mindset.
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Willingness to travel to project locations when required.

What Success Looks Like

You will succeed in this role by building an operation where:

• Projects are planned properly before execution.
• Safety and quality remain non-negotiable.
• Design, materials, manpower and installation are properly coordinated.
• Projects are completed on time and at the expected margin.
• Risks and potential delays are identified and addressed early.
• Customers receive clear, professional and reliable communication.
• Operational teams and subcontractors take ownership of their commitments.
• Problems and lessons learned lead to permanent improvements rather than repeated issues.

Why Join Kee Safety?

At Kee Safety, our people and culture are important to our success. We offer an environment where people are encouraged to take ownership, develop their capabilities and make a genuine contribution to the growth of the business.

You can expect:

• A competitive salary package.
• A collaborative and international working environment.
• Training and professional development opportunities.
• Exposure to significant construction and industrial projects.
• Opportunities to work across Malaysia and the wider Southeast Asian region.
• Career development opportunities aligned with business growth.
• The opportunity to work for a business focused on an important purpose: protecting people from workplace hazards.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV/resume and cover letter.

Please include a brief summary of your relevant experience in operations management, project delivery, construction/installation and team leadership.

Join Kee Safety and help us build safer workplaces while growing our operational capability across the region.

Kee Safety Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. is an equal-opportunity employer.

Pay: RM8,000.00 - RM12,000.00 per month

Benefits:

• Free parking
• Health insurance
• Professional development

Work Location: In person

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