Director Operation

About Red Sea Global and Botanica

Red Sea Global is seeking a Director of Operations for Botanica, its subsidiary specializing in sustainable greenery across Red Sea Global’s destinations. Botanica integrates new species with local flora, operating over 1 million square meters with a planet-first approach to sustainability. Since 2020, Botanica has cultivated over 5 million plants, with a goal of 30 million by 2030, shaping the natural landscapes of The Red Sea & Amaala. This full-time position is based in Umluj, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and requires over 10 years of experience.

Role Purpose and Context

The Director of Operations will lead the operational backbone of the 180-hectare Botanica site. This includes overseeing field operations, plant maintenance, plant protection, irrigation and water management (2,000–4,000 m3 per day from TSE and desalinated sources), soil mix and growing media, logistics, receiving and dispatch, and facilities, fleet, and workshops. The role ensures plant health, timely and complete order dispatch, and safe and efficient site operations for all business units. Nursery Operations supports Production, Landscape Maintenance, and Commercial units, making prevention and redundancy critical to avoid costly failures such as irrigation outages or equipment breakdowns.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and organize all nursery areas, including planting zones (1,533,100 m2), shading (173,800 m2), and mother stock areas.
• Oversee routine maintenance of nursery stock (weeding, pruning, spacing, cleaning) and daily plant health monitoring.
• Implement plant protection measures under the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and biosecurity program.
• Design, operate, and maintain the irrigation network and pump stations, setting irrigation schedules by zone and season.
• Monitor water quality, flow, and consumption, focusing on reducing freshwater use through Treated Sewage Effluent (TSE), drip, and smart irrigation.
• Maintain contingency plans for water supply interruptions and system failures during peak heat.
• Source raw materials and produce consistent soil mixes and substrates to approved recipes, supplying internal sections and external clients.
• Manage receiving of local and imported plants and materials, coordinating with Biosecurity for inspection and quarantine.
• Plan and execute dispatch against confirmed orders, including picking, loading, transport, and delivery documentation.
• Coordinate imports through the bonded facility and maintain accurate stock movement records.
• Run preventive and corrective maintenance plans for facilities, greenhouses, shade structures, and equipment.
• Manage fleet availability, utilization, and compliance, overseeing workshops and the asset register.
• Manage the Nursery Operations budget, including labor, water, energy, fuel, spares, and maintenance.
• Allocate manpower, machinery, and transport across sections, supporting Production and Landscape Maintenance requests.
• Report Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) monthly and identify operational risks with corrective actions.
• Lead section heads, supervisors, and operatives, setting competency and training standards.
• Control high-risk activities such as machinery, chemicals, lifting, driving, and heat stress, in coordination with Health, Safety, Security, and Environment (HSSE).
• Ensure adherence to all relevant Botanica and Red Sea Global Group policies, delegation of authority (DoA), processes, standard operating procedures, and instructions.
• Apply and champion the safety, quality, and environmental management systems (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001) and the compliance management system (ISO 37301).
• Identify and lead opportunities for continuous improvement in department systems, processes, and practices, focusing on cost reduction, productivity, and client value.

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in operations management.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities in managing diverse teams and complex operations.
• Experience with sustainable practices and environmental management systems.
• Proficiency in budget management, resource allocation, and risk identification.

Work Environment

The role is based in Umluj, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, within a dynamic environment focused on sustainable development and ecological harmony. The team is committed to pioneering new global benchmarks in sustainable tourism and development, with 40% of professionals from the local community.