International Business Director

A leading organisation is seeking an International Business Director to spearhead its global commercial strategy from the head office in Penang.

This pivotal role offers you the opportunity to shape and drive sustainable revenue growth, expand market presence across diverse regions including Europe, North and South America, Canada, Australia, Africa, and Asia, and foster meaningful relationships with key customers and partners. You will be empowered to align commercial activities with corporate goals while enjoying a highly collaborative environment that values cross-functional teamwork and supports your professional development. If you are passionate about international business, thrive in multicultural settings, and are eager to make a significant impact on a global scale, this is your chance to join a supportive team where your expertise will be valued and your contributions recognised.

What you'll do:

As International Business Director based in Penang you will play a central role in shaping the organisation’s global commercial direction. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve developing robust strategies that respond dynamically to market conditions while identifying new avenues for growth across multiple regions. You will work closely with a talented team of sales professionals and business developers—guiding them towards achieving revenue targets through effective performance management. By championing pricing strategies and margin optimisation initiatives you will help ensure commercial excellence across all product lines. Building strong relationships with customers and partners is at the heart of this role; you’ll provide executive oversight of customer service strategies while leading major contract negotiations. Cross-functional collaboration is essential—you’ll partner with senior leaders from operations to finance to support seamless execution of go-to-market plans. Financial stewardship is also key: overseeing budgeting, forecasting, reporting functions as well as risk management protocols. Your ability to present actionable insights to executive leadership will be crucial for success.

• Develop and implement comprehensive commercial strategies that are closely aligned with company objectives, market dynamics, and regional growth plans across own label, private label, and contract pack products.
• Identify and prioritise new business opportunities by region, channel, and product category to drive profitable revenue expansion in both established and emerging markets.
• Conduct ongoing market analysis and competitor benchmarking to inform commercial decision-making processes and ensure the organisation remains responsive to global trends.
• Lead, manage, and nurture a high-performing commercial team—including sales professionals, business development specialists, and key account managers—to achieve ambitious revenue targets and KPIs.
• Set clear commercial targets for the team while monitoring performance metrics; adjust strategies proactively to meet financial goals and optimise margin across product lines.
• Champion pricing strategy initiatives as well as margin optimisation efforts to deliver commercial excellence for all customer types within international markets.
• Build enduring relationships with key customers, partners, and brand owners by providing executive oversight of customer service strategies that align with broader company goals.
• Lead major contract negotiations with suppliers or partners where applicable; ensure agreements reflect best practice in compliance and governance.
• Collaborate closely with senior leaders in operations, marketing, product development, logistics, and finance to support seamless go-to-market execution for new products or channels.
• Oversee budgeting processes, forecasting activities, commercial performance reporting functions, risk management protocols; present insights and recommendations to executive leadership or Board as required.

What you bring:

To excel as International Business Director you will bring proven experience from senior commercial leadership positions where you have consistently delivered revenue growth through strategic planning. Your academic background includes a relevant degree such as Business or Marketing which has equipped you with foundational knowledge for navigating complex multinational environments. You possess exceptional analytical skills allowing you to interpret market data accurately—translating it into actionable strategies that drive profitability. Your interpersonal abilities are second-to-none: you communicate clearly across cultures while building trust-based relationships with stakeholders at every level. Leadership comes naturally—you inspire teams through empathy while guiding them towards shared goals. Negotiation skills are critical; you handle major contracts confidently ensuring outcomes benefit both parties. Familiarity with industry-specific tools like CRM/ERP systems further enhances your capacity for managing large-scale projects efficiently. Experience within food manufacturing or FMCG sectors adds value but is not essential; what matters most is your commitment to collaborative success within an inclusive organisational culture.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Commerce, Marketing or related discipline is required for this position.
• Proven experience in senior commercial leadership roles with a demonstrable track record of driving revenue growth and delivering outstanding commercial performance.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic commercial plans within multinational business environments involving complex stakeholder networks.
• Strategic thinker who possesses strong analytical capability coupled with deep commercial acumen; able to translate data into actionable insights.
• Excellent leadership skills combined with negotiation prowess; adept at engaging stakeholders across cultures while fostering inclusive relationships.
• Proficiency in market research methodologies as well as financial analysis techniques; skilled at developing pricing strategies and negotiating contracts effectively.
• Outstanding communication skills (both verbal and written) complemented by cross-cultural competency; able to connect meaningfully with diverse teams worldwide.
• Ability to operate successfully in fast-paced global markets; comfortable making data-driven decisions under ambiguity or uncertainty.
• Experience in food manufacturing or FMCG sectors is highly desirable but not mandatory; familiarity with international trade particularly Asia distribution or multi-country commercial management is advantageous.
• Competence using CRM/ERP systems alongside commercial analytics tools enhances your effectiveness in this role.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out for its unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace where collaboration thrives across borders. Employees enjoy flexible working opportunities designed to support work-life balance alongside generous access to training programmes that encourage continuous learning. The company’s global reach means you’ll interact daily with colleagues from diverse backgrounds—sharing knowledge while expanding your professional network internationally. Participation in executive leadership forums ensures your voice is heard during strategic planning cycles; your ideas can directly influence future direction. The supportive environment values empathy as much as expertise—making it possible for everyone to contribute meaningfully regardless of their location or experience level. With a focus on nurturing talent through communal growth leadership rather than hierarchical structures this organisation offers a unique platform for personal advancement within a truly global context.

What's next:

If you are ready to take your career global by joining a collaborative team dedicated to international success apply now!

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