Operations Director (Factory Head)

About the Role

Virtucruit is partnering with a frozen food manufacturer in Saudi Arabia to appoint an Operations Director (Factory Head) in Dammam. This is a senior leadership position with full strategic and operational accountability for the manufacturing facility. The role involves shaping and executing the plant's operational strategy, building a high-performing organization, and delivering against ambitious targets for output, quality, cost, and safety.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the operational strategy for the facility, aligning with company growth ambitions and commercial plans.
• Lead the transformation and modernization of the plant, including capacity expansion, automation, and capital investment planning.
• Translate business objectives into clear operational targets and a roadmap for the operations team.
• Drive operational excellence through lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement programs.
• Improve key metrics such as OEE, yield, throughput, labor productivity, and waste reduction.
• Establish robust planning and scheduling disciplines to ensure on-time, in-full delivery against demand.
• Oversee the full production operation, from raw material intake through processing, freezing, packing, and dispatch.
• Ensure reliability and performance of all plant assets, including cold-chain, freezing, and refrigeration infrastructure, through proactive maintenance.
• Ensure full compliance with all food safety, quality, and regulatory standards, including SFDA, HACCP, ISO 22000, and GMP.
• Lead, develop, and inspire a multi-disciplinary workforce across production, quality, engineering, and supply chain.
• Manage the facility's operating budget and capital plan, with full P&L accountability for the cost of operations.
• Drive cost optimization across labor, materials, energy, and overhead while maintaining quality and safety standards.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Proven track record at Operations Director, Plant Director, or Head of Factory level, leading a full facility at scale.
• Demonstrated success in delivering operational excellence, plant transformation, and measurable improvements in cost, efficiency, and quality.
• Deep expertise in food safety and quality systems, with hands-on command of SFDA, HACCP, ISO 22000, and GMP.
• Strong engineering, maintenance, and capital project experience, including cold-chain and freezing infrastructure.
• Exceptional leadership presence, commercial judgment, and the ability to build and lead high-performing teams.
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience.

Work Environment

This is a full-time position based in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, requiring a leader who can embed a culture of excellence to position the plant as a benchmark in the frozen food sector.

Application Process

Candidates interested in this Operations Director role are encouraged to apply. Salary details will be discussed during the interview process.