Derek Goh

Regional Commercial Leader | Driving Growth, Margin & Market Expansion Across Industrial & Project Based Businesses in Asia

Greater George Town

About

Commercial leader with 20+ years of experience driving growth, margin performance and market expansion across energy, EPC, industrial and building systems in Asia. Led commercial strategy, go-to-market execution and P&L performance across multi market and multi channel environments, including project based and distributor driven businesses. Experienced in aligning sales, procurement and operations across regions, linking market strategy with execution realities to improve pricing accuracy, delivery performance and margin outcomes. Led regional and business unit performance through structured pipeline governance, pricing discipline and cross functional alignment across sales, supply chain and operations. I believe commercial performance in complex industries is driven less by individual functions and more by how pricing, channels and execution are structured as a system. In many organisations, margin leakage is not a sales issue, but a breakdown between commercial assumptions and execution reality. Sustainable performance comes from aligning market strategy with delivery capability and continuously testing commercial decisions against real world constraints.

Experience

  • Independent Consultant - Commercial Strategy & Growth at Self-Employed
    Oct 2024 - Present · 1 yr 9 mos

    Advising firms in energy, construction, building materials and manufacturing on commercial strategy, cost optimisation and market entry. Partner with founders and senior leaders to translate strategy into executable commercial and operational plans. Drive revenue growth, margin improvement and cost optimisation initiatives. Support market entry and product launches, aligning commercial assumptions with supply chain and delivery capability. Establish pricing, risk and performance frameworks to guide decision making. Coordinate across sales, procurement, operations and finance to ensure execution clarity.

  • Product Manager (Asia) - Flat Roof & Solar at BMI Group
    Apr 2024 - Sep 2024 · 6 mos

    Regional commercial and product lead for roofing and solar portfolios across Asia. Owned full product lifecycle from concept to market launch and performance tracking. Led cross functional risk reviews across manufacturing, supply chain and quality. Balanced technical, compliance and commercial considerations in product decisions. Guided pricing, project approvals and sales performance across Asia markets. Drove CRM and sales process improvements to strengthen commercial execution. Managed pipeline, pricing, margin performance, execution and market intelligence through regular performance reviews. Participated in monthly and quarterly business reviews to with APAC leadership to ensure strategic alignment and optimise performance.

  • Northern Region Manager (Sales & Business Development) at ERS Energy Sdn Bhd
    Nov 2020 - Sep 2023 · 2 yrs 11 mos

    Full P&L responsibility for regional EPC and energy project operations. Originated and delivered EPC, PPA and O&M opportunities from feasibility to execution. Developed go-to-market strategies aligned with customer needs and project viability. Led commercial strategy for tenders including pricing, risk and execution assumptions. Led bi weekly pipeline and margin governance across sales, procurement and site teams to improve visibility and execution alignment. Translated site execution realities into commercial assumptions including labour productivity, project sequencing and delivery constraints. Built strategic partnerships enabling 25% sales growth. Improved productivity by 15–20% through operational and site level optimisation. Reduced labour time by 50% in EV-related projects through workflow redesign. Strengthened cashflow through supplier renegotiation and procurement alignment.

  • Mestiraya Sdn Bhd (Full-time · 17 yrs 4 mos)
    • General Manager
      Jan 2012 - Oct 2020 · 8 yrs 10 mos

      Full P&L ownership across trading, building materials, subcontracting and facilities & maintenance businesses. Led commercial, procurement, operations, finance and credit control functions across a multi channel business. Transformed business model from materials trading into integrated supply and install and subcontracting services, increasing margins 4 to 6 times while sustaining 8 to 12% annual revenue growth. Designed go-to-market structure across direct sales, project contracting and dealer channels. Built pricing architecture and margin control systems across trading and project businesses. Delivered 150+ supply and install projects (3000 sqm to 9000 sqm) across roofing, walling and structural systems. Owned end to end commercial lifecycle including tendering, pricing, contract negotiation, procurement, execution and claims management. Built supplier and subcontractor ecosystem to optimise cost, availability and delivery reliability across project portfolio. Improved operational coordination between office and site teams, reducing delays, errors and rework. Strengthened credit control, vendor management and cash discipline during periods of market volatility. Improved safety, compliance and delivery consistency across project execution. Led and developed a 11 person team across sales, supply chain, finance and site management.

    • Sales / Project Manager
      Jan 2007 - Dec 2011 · 5 yrs

      Built and developed projects and contracts division from early stage. Drove business development across trading, building materials and subcontracting segments for roofing, walling and structural systems. Delivered 20–40% annual growth in project-based revenue. Expanded business into facilities and maintenance services, establishing recurring revenue streams. Managed end-to-end project lifecycle from tendering and pricing through procurement, execution, claims and handover. Developed supplier and subcontractor network to support cost, quality and delivery requirements. Maintained pricing discipline and margin control during periods of material price volatility and supply constraints. Ensured project continuity through proactive procurement planning and allocation management. Liaised with consultants and contractors on technical submissions, drawings and approvals to maintain project timelines. Delivered 20–30% contribution margins through structured pricing and execution control.

    • Senior Sales Executive
      Jul 2003 - Dec 2006 · 3 yrs 6 mos

      - Building material sales and consultation. - Customer service. - Customer relationship management. - Client development. - New client acquisition. - Receivables collection.

  • Corporate Finance Executive at Hwang-DBS Securities Berhad
    Nov 2002 - Jul 2003 · 9 mos

    - Implementation of various corporate exercises for Hwang DBS and external clients. - Research companies and industries. - Write and compile prospectuses, proposals and announcements for submission to the Securities Commission, Foreign Investment Committee, Bursa Malaysia, etc.