About the Company:

Established over 75 years ago, our client is a highly respected, family-owned business that has operated in Papua New Guinea for three generations.

Over decades, the group has played a significant role in employment, economic growth and development, and commercial life in PNG, earning a reputation as one of the nation’s most respected businesses.

First trading as a single retail outlet, today the group has grown into a diversified organisation operating across four key divisions:

- Retail - operating a network of speciality outlets and delivering an unparalleled offering in a sector in which it has been acknowledged as a leader in the PNG market.
- B2B and commercial - for over 40 years the group has been the distributor and agent of leading international brands, servicing the corporate market as well as supply chain, distribution and reseller partners throughout all areas of PNG.
- Energy - the company is the largest distributor of consumer energy products in PNG.
- Property – a portfolio of strategically located commercial and residential properties supporting a range of business, residential, and investment activities.

About the Role: Please note that the position is to be based in Port Moresby. Hybrid, remote and/or commuting arrangements will not be considered.

As the Group enters its next phase of growth and development, it is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to build organisational capability, strengthen operational excellence, and support the delivery of long-term business objectives.

Working closely with the Directors,



you will play a central role in translating strategy into action across the Group's diverse business interests. Your focus will be on driving accountability, enhancing management effectiveness, and ensuring disciplined execution to deliver sustainable growth and strong commercial outcomes.

Your brief will include

- Driving operational performance and efficiency across all business divisions.
- Translating strategic priorities into clear execution plans.
- Strengthening management systems, reporting and accountability.
- Building a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.
- Ensuring robust governance, risk management and regulatory compliance.
- Supporting the Board in identifying and evaluating future growth opportunities.
- Developing capable leadership teams across the organisation.
- Overseeing financial performance, budgeting and cost discipline.

About You: You are a proven executive leader with a track record of delivering sustainable growth and operational improvement in retail and distribution businesses.

You can demonstrate

- Having delivered sustainable, profitable growth across the sectors that make up the Group’s diverse business portfolio.
- A comprehensive knowledge and experience of the international supply chain, including foreign exchange risk, product sourcing and logistics.




- Strong financial capability and a track record of enhancing financial reporting quality, forecasting accuracy, and actionable insights.
- A proven record of building capable teams and developing leadership.
- Navigating the unique dynamics of private or family-owned businesses, including effective engagement with Boards and owners/shareholders.

It is desirable that you have lived and worked in Papua Current Guinea or similar developing markets, and important that you can embrace the distinctive challenges and rewarding opportunities these environments present. At this stage of your career, you are motivated by the opportunity to shape outcomes, strengthen capability, and make a meaningful, tangible impact on the business and its people.

Why Join Us:

- Because you care about what you do every day. Making a real difference in the market matters to you.
- This is a rare opportunity to play a defining leadership role in a respected multi-generational business with a deep history in Papua New Guinea.
- You will work with committed owners with a proud heritage and a forward-looking vision.
- You will be part of a team-oriented culture that values integrity, innovation, and excellence.
- We offer the opportunity to lead meaningful change, supported by a committed Board and passionate team.
- Your leadership will drive real results and be recognised at all levels.

For a discussion in confidence, contact Michael Simonyi at [0407 977 670](tel:0407 977 670) or [email protected]. Please do not forward applications to that address.

📌 Chief Operating Officer | Port Moresby, PNG (Sydney)
🏢 Simonyi Recruitment
📍 Sydney