Malaysia is a unique and fascinating nation, teeming with beaches, rainforests, greenery, and, paradoxically, bustling metropolitan cities full of tech startups and high finance organizations. It’s a place of tremendous opportunity. The country’s robust economy has seen expansion rates as high as 3.3% in the last quarter of 2023, owing in part to a rebounding tourism industry that was hampered by the global COVID-19 outbreak. Since then, inflation figures continue to decrease––while the national GDP, though also growing, remains sluggish.
As for Malaysia’s retail industry, shopping traffic is rebounding but the spending power of the country’s
34 million people is beginning to weaken. However, this is due for an upswing in 2024––meaning that now is the perfect time to enter the retail industry.
If you live in Malaysia and you are looking to find an exciting and engaging role in the retail industry, there are several different fields you can explore. From retail management to something more on the marketing and administrative end of the business; up-front, customer-facing roles, or behind-the-scenes positions….the possibilities are endless. If you’ve got exceptional customer service and communication skills, you’re sure to go far. You just need to know where to start. Here is our list of the best retail jobs available right now in Malaysia:
The 20 Best Retail Jobs in Malaysia Right Now
1. Supply Chain Manager
Scope of work: Simply put, supply chain managers manage the supply chain of a retail company, which is an important aspect of the business because if the supply is wrong, the company can face big financial problems. Managers oversee all elements of product movement –– from distribution to storage –– of their goods. These jobs are critical to a brand’s success and, as such, are very well-paid
Salary range: RM 8,800 to 11,000 per month
Skills required: Communication, negotiation, time management, teamwork
2. Loss Prevention Officer
Scope of work: Theft, both internal and external, is an unavoidable element of the retail industry. If you are selling something for a price, chances are, somebody will eventually try to take it for nothing. This is where a loss prevention officer comes in. Loss prevention is a highly organized role that relies on accurate technical data (like how many items are in stock and on hand) so that when inventory is counted, accurate figures can be entered into the system and investigations can be carried out.
Salary range: RM 5,100 to 5,800 per month
Skills required: Communication, negotiation, time management, teamwork
3. Warehouse Worker
Scope of work: While working in a warehouse is a relatively mundane position, it’s also an essential one in the retail industry––one that involves packing orders and checking items for quality, handling incoming and outgoing deliveries, and organizing stock and inventory.
Salary range: RM 3,200 to 3,800 per month
Skills required: Communication, time management, teamwork
4. Recruiter
Scope of work: Recruiting consultants are a valuable part of any retail company’s hiring department. They can typically be relied upon to help members of the Human Resources department review resumes, filter ideal job candidates, execute background checks, participate in interviews, and perform onboarding responsibilities with new employees.
Salary range: RM 5,500 to 7,000 per month
Skills required: Communication, negotiation, time management, teamwork
5. E-Commerce Specialist
Scope of work: With so much retail therapy being indulged online, companies are recognizing the value of the e-commerce channel. This is why there are so many great opportunities available for those with considerable knowledge behind the computer screens. E-Commerce Specialists monitor and track sales figures, and assist with online purchases and returns, as well as other digital processes.
Salary range: RM 4,800 to 5,600 per month
Skills required: Communication, negotiation, time management, teamwork
6. Sales Associate
Scope of work: Retail sales jobs are popular with full and part-time job seekers––and there are almost always positions to be found for those with the right skills. Stores in Malaysia are consistently looking for motivated and energetic people to welcome and assist customers, stock merchandise, clean, and organize. Working as a retail assistant often comes with a staff discount, which is a great perk.
Salary range: RM 3,100 to 4,000 per month
Skills required: Communication, negotiation, time management, teamwork
7. Inventory Manager
Scope of work: One of the more technical roles in retail, inventory managers determine which products, and how many of them, can reasonably be sold at any given store location. They have to use more than common sense––there are logistic and technical factors to consider. When a store cannot keep a certain item on the shelves, it’s up to the inventory manager to communicate with the manufacturer to produce more, and then get the next shipment in as soon as possible. It’s a high-stress position, but one with great rewards.
Salary range: RM 7,400 to 8,200 per month
Skills required: Communication, negotiation, time management, teamwork
8. Retail Buyer
Scope of work: Retail buyers oversee many of the crucial business decisions that impact a company’s overall brand. When tasked with sourcing products to include on the store inventory lists, buyers use their skills and knowledge of the brand to put together cohesive looks that entice customers to spend. Ultimately these decisions can have a lasting influence on the overall business while increasing profits.
Salary range: RM 5,400 to 6,300 per month
Skills required: Communication, time management, teamwork
9. Visual Merchandiser
Scope of work: For creative types, visual merchandising is one of the most engaging and exciting positions in all of retail. The displays put together by these professionals are key to communicating a company’s brand to the public (think about the window displays at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City or Harrods in London––these people have the power to influence fashion and style just by using their own flair). Visual merchandisers use brand guidelines and lookbooks while putting their personalities––and the personality of the designers––literally on display.
Salary range: RM 4,600 to 5,100 per month
Skills required: Communication, creative, time management, teamwork
10. Team Lead / Keyholder
Scope of work: Often considered a role somewhere between manager and sales associate, keyholders (or team leads) are often given additional responsibilities to their regular workload, including store opening/closing duties, cash register access, and access to scheduling. These roles are important for those hoping to climb the retail management ladder and are usually the next step toward senior management.
Salary range: RM 5,400 to 6,200 per month
Skills required: Communication, negotiation, time management, teamwork
11. Retail Store Manager
Scope of work: The manager of a retail store has an incredible list of responsibilities, not the least of which includes setting targets, hiring and firing staff, monitoring sales figures, and other administrative roles. Managers typically start from the bottom of the sales rung, often as an associate. From there, they develop the customer service skills necessary, while learning the ropes of the business and the brand.
Salary range: RM 4,500 to 5,300 per month
Skills required: Communication, negotiation, time management, teamwork, observation
12. Human Resources Manager
Scope of work: Everybody in retail starts somewhere. And it’s usually the HR Manager that puts them in front of their future boss. The human resource department is an essential component of the retail industry, mainly because these players hire retail people, while they are responsible for a litany of daily tasks that keep a company running.
Salary range: RM 5,000 to 6,000 per month
Skills required: Communication, negotiation, time management, teamwork
13. Social Media Care Team Member
Scope of work: The highly involved role that social media care people play is essential for a business with a strong online presence––specifically an e-commerce portal on sites like Instagram and TikTok. These positions involve monitoring social accounts, responding to inquiries, answering comments, resolving problems, and escalating issues when necessary.
Salary range: RM 3,800 to 4,200 per month
Skills required: Communication, time management, teamwork
14. Customer Support Representative
Scope of work: An essential role in the retail industry––the customer service rep handles all of the direct calls, complaints, and challenges that the public face during their buying experience. It’s not always an easy job, but when a business can turn an unsatisfied customer into a lifelong fan, it’s usually because the customer support representative went above and beyond the call of duty to assist.
Salary range: RM 2,800 to 3,600 per month
Skills required: Communication, negotiation, time management, teamwork
15. Stockroom Assistant
Scope of work: A really great and in-demand entry-level position for those (specifically students or part-timers) looking to grow within the retail industry, stockroom assistants are in charge of receiving and opening packages and deliveries from the warehouse; they also catalog products and store them so that managers and sales associates can retrieve them easily.
Salary range: RM 2,400 to 3,200 per month
Skills required: Communication, time management, teamwork
16. Cashier
Scope of work: A pivotal role for just about any retail company, cashiers are not only the ones who execute the transaction and handling of payment, but they are often the only employees who interact with customers, making them key communicators and representatives of a company’s brand. A good cashier can help make a business successful; a great cashier can keep people coming back, growing the business into something bigger and better.
Salary range: RM 1,900 to 2,600 per month
Skills required: Communication, negotiation, time management, teamwork
17. Maintenance Manager
Scope of work: Nearly every retail store location has a professional team (either on-staff or offsite) responsible for keeping operations running smoothly. For example, when a business’s cash register or online network crashes––even if a window breaks or a lighting panel comes loose––the store manager will usually call on the maintenance manager to step in and assist.
Salary range: RM 5,500 to 6,300 per month
Skills required: Communication, negotiation, time management, teamwork
18. Logistics Team Member
Scope of work: In order for a retail store to turn a heavy profit, they need to have items in stock and ready to sell when customers come in. Being one of the members of a retail logistics team means ensuring that these businesses have everything they need on hand to operate successfully.
Salary range: RM 3,200 to 4,400 per month
Skills required: Communication, negotiation, time management, teamwork
19. Store Security Guard
Scope of work: Every business needs an element of security present, either behind the scenes or, depending on the array of goods on offer, right up front. Security guards working in luxury apparel or jewelry stores, or car showrooms––anything with a hefty price tag––are in high demand in Malaysia. They protect businesses from theft, and they also set the tone for a company brand. They are an invaluable element to the retail industry and are often paid very well.
Salary range: RM 2,800 to 3,600 per month
Skills required: Communication, teamwork
20. Cleaner
Scope of work: Cleaners are actually an essential component of the retail industry. Working for independent businesses, showrooms, and warehouses, these retail and custodial professionals keep venues looking their best, encouraging customers to come in and shop.
Salary range: RM 1,400 to 2,600 per month
Skills required: Communication, time management, teamwork
There you have it! The best retail jobs available right now. If you are considering a position in Malaysia’s bustling retail industry, you now know where to start looking––how much you can expect to make, the skills required to get in, and the titles to strive for down the road.
