Azmi Jaafar, 60, a Malaysian, boasts an impressive four-decade career in the palm oil industry, with extensive experience in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Liberia.
Beginning his journey in 1984 with Golden Hope Plantation Berhad as a Trainee Assistant, Azmi worked across various estates in both West and East Malaysia. Over the years, he climbed the ranks, becoming Estate Manager of Tingkayu Estate, Sabah in 1995, and eventually Senior Manager of Bagan Datoh Estate, Perak in 2006. He later took on the role of General Manager Estate Operations of the Northern Region after the 2007 merger of Sime Darby, Golden Hope, and Guthrie.
Azmi's leadership continued to flourish as he transitioned to the Kuala Lumpur head office, spearheading the “Project Sime Darby Plantation Estate, Mill, & Upstream Application” also known as SEMUA - an integrated system tailored specifically for managing upstream operations, the project saw successful implementation across Malaysia and later in Indonesia.
His international ventures include leading the Liberia Project in West Africa in 2010 under Sime Darby Plantation Liberia Ltd. Returning to Kuala Lumpur in 2013, he assumed leadership of the Performance Management Office within the Strategy Innovation Department.
In 2016, Azmi joined the Special Project team under the Group Managing Director before assuming the role of Regional Chief Executive Officer (RCEO) of Riau Utara Aceh in Upstream Indonesia. This led to his transfer to the Kalimantan Tengah and Barat (KTB) Region as RCEO in 2020. That same year, he also took on the position of Chief Operating Officer of Upstream Indonesia.
Azmi's dedication and adaptability were further demonstrated when he served as Interim CEO of Upstream Indonesia from November 2021 to March 2022, before passing the baton to Adi Wira Abd Razak. Effective 1 June 2024, he was appointed CEO of Upstream Indonesia.
Azmi graduated in Planting Industry and Management from MARA Institute of Technology (ITM) Perlis. He is a member of the Incorporated Society of Planters (ISP).