Chief Financial Officer

A rare opportunity has arisen for an accomplished Chief Financial Officer to join a rapidly expanding, private equity-backed precision engineering manufacturer based in Penang.

This organisation is renowned for its technical excellence and commitment to continuous improvement, serving global original equipment manufacturers across high-specification industries such as aerospace, medical, automotive, and industrial automation. As the business embarks on a transformational growth journey—driven by strategic initiatives, operational optimisation, and potential inorganic expansion—the incoming CFO will play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s future. This position offers the chance to work closely with both the CEO and private equity stakeholders, providing strategic direction while ensuring robust financial operations and regulatory readiness. The role promises significant influence over value creation plans, exposure to complex M&A activity, and the opportunity to lead ESG reporting frameworks in line with evolving investor expectations.

What you'll do:

As Chief Financial Officer in this fast-growing precision engineering manufacturer based in Penang, your day-to-day responsibilities will be both varied and impactful. You will act as a trusted advisor to the CEO while also engaging directly with private equity stakeholders on matters of strategic importance. Your remit will span everything from developing long-term financial strategies to overseeing detailed financial planning processes that inform key business decisions. You will ensure rigorous compliance with local regulations while also preparing the company for heightened governance expectations associated with public company-level oversight. In addition to managing core accounting functions and risk frameworks, you will take ownership of ESG reporting initiatives—aligning sustainability disclosures with global best practices. Your expertise will be called upon during M&A transactions where you will lead due diligence efforts and facilitate seamless integrations. By fostering strong partnerships across operations and commercial teams alike, you will help drive operational excellence while supporting profitable growth. Success in this role requires not only technical proficiency but also exceptional interpersonal skills; your ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly will enable you to influence outcomes at every level of the organisation.

• Collaborate closely with the CEO and private equity sponsors to develop and execute comprehensive financial and operational strategies that support ambitious growth objectives.
• Lead all aspects of financial planning and analysis, including budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, and performance measurement tailored to both management and investor needs.
• Drive value creation initiatives by partnering with operating leadership teams to identify opportunities for efficiency improvements, cost optimisation, and profitability enhancement.
• Oversee accounting functions, tax compliance, audit processes, and monthly close activities in accordance with local regulations and international reporting standards such as IFRS or MFRS.
• Ensure robust internal controls are maintained alongside effective risk management frameworks that safeguard company assets and reputation.
• Develop and implement regulatory reporting frameworks that meet evolving requirements under the Companies Act 2016, Malaysian Financial Reporting Standards (MFRS), Bursa Malaysia Listing Requirements, and best practice ESG disclosures.
• Manage treasury operations including cash flow forecasting, working capital optimisation, banking relationships, debt covenant compliance, and financing strategy.
• Partner with operations leaders to optimise manufacturing costs, labour productivity, supply chain performance, inventory management, payables, and receivables.
• Work collaboratively with commercial teams to assess customer profitability, refine pricing strategies, evaluate contract performance, and support product line decisions.
• Lead M&A activities from evaluation through due diligence to post-deal integration; prepare the organisation for future milestones such as external audits or increased investor scrutiny.

What you bring:

To excel as Chief Financial Officer in this precision engineering manufacturer setting requires more than just technical know-how—you must bring proven experience navigating complex regulatory landscapes while maintaining unwavering integrity. Your background should include substantial exposure to manufacturing finance environments where cost structures are intricate yet critical for driving profitability. A history of successful collaboration across functional boundaries—particularly between finance operations teams—is vital given the interdependent nature of this role. You should possess excellent communication skills enabling you to translate sophisticated data into actionable insights for both executive leadership and external investors alike. Familiarity with ESG frameworks will allow you to champion sustainability initiatives that resonate with modern stakeholder expectations. Experience leading large-scale transformation projects—whether implementing new systems or integrating acquired businesses—will set you apart as someone who thrives amidst change. Above all else your approach should reflect humility combined with a genuine commitment to supporting others’ success; these qualities are highly valued within this inclusive workplace culture.

• Proven track record as a Chief Financial Officer or senior finance executive within a manufacturing or industrial business environment where you have demonstrated commercial acumen.
• Deep familiarity with Bursa Malaysia Listing Requirements as well as local financial disclosure regulations and corporate governance frameworks is essential for success in this role.
• Experience developing ESG strategy and reporting frameworks aligned with Malaysian or international best practices (such as MCCG, GRI or TCFD) is highly advantageous.
• Demonstrated expertise in cost accounting methodologies relevant to high-mix low-to-medium volume manufacturing environments is required.
• Comprehensive understanding of working capital management principles including inventory optimisation, payables/receivables control, cash flow forecasting and liquidity management.
• Extensive experience leading financial planning & analysis functions encompassing budgeting cycles, forecasting models and KPI development for diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong background overseeing accounting operations under IFRS or MFRS standards—including tax compliance processes—and managing timely monthly close/consolidation activities.
• Successful track record executing business transformation projects such as ERP system upgrades or process reengineering initiatives within complex organisations.
• Hands-on involvement in M&A transactions covering due diligence assessments through post-acquisition integration phases; experience preparing companies for exit events is desirable.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance/Accounting/Economics (or related field) plus CPA/ACCA/ICAEW qualification; MBA would be considered an asset.

What sets this company apart:

This manufacturing and production organisation stands out as a beacon of technical excellence within the precision engineering sector—serving some of the world’s most demanding OEMs across aerospace, medical technology, automotive innovation and industrial automation markets. Backed by private equity investment yet retaining an agile entrepreneurial spirit it offers employees unparalleled exposure to high-impact projects spanning strategic growth initiatives through operational optimisation programmes. The company’s commitment to continuous improvement is matched only by its dedication towards fostering an inclusive environment where knowledge sharing is encouraged at every level—from shop floor technicians right up through senior management ranks. If you are seeking a place where your contributions can shape not just business outcomes but also industry standards then this is an employer worthy of your consideration.

What's next:

If you are ready to make a lasting impact at the highest level of finance leadership within a thriving precision engineering manufacturer then we encourage you to take the next step today.

Apply today or email me at jack.moh@robertwalters.com.my to discuss this new opportunity.

Do note that we will only be in touch if your application is shortlisted.

Agensi Pekerjaan Robert Walters Sdn Bhd
Business Registration Number : 729828-T
Licence Number : JTKSM 423C