Operation Manager

About the Role

Acwa is seeking an experienced Operation Manager to lead the Operations department of a plant in Saudi Arabia. This full-time role involves managing all operational and laboratory-related activities to ensure the effective achievement of production targets, while maintaining operational efficiency, quality, cost, and HSE standards. The position requires over 10 years of experience in a relevant field.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and align the Operations departmental strategy with the overall Plant's strategy.
• Report regularly to the Plant General Manager / Country Manager on operational activities, challenges, and mitigations.
• Contribute to budget preparation and monitor financial performance, identifying and rectifying unsatisfactory performance.
• Lead the effective monthly and daily scheduling of plant shift operations to meet production targets.
• Manage all aspects of power generation and/or water production, focusing on efficiency, safety, and quality.
• Troubleshoot and resolve escalated operational issues to achieve production objectives with minimal liquidity damages.
• Review daily operations reports and submit periodic reports to management.
• Lead operational management meetings to ensure clarity on production standards and programs.
• Provide technical recommendations to improve equipment reliability and operational efficiency.
• Ensure regular safety protective device tests on critical equipment.
• Plan and facilitate preventative and corrective maintenance programs with the Maintenance department.
• Support the safe execution of planned outages and provide assistance during equipment shutdown and re-starting.
• Oversee the setting of production parameters and adjust conditions to ensure quality and efficiency.
• Monitor laboratory activities to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and quality standards.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, security, and environmental management policies and procedures.
• Report and respond to HSSE incidents using established channels.
• Ensure safety rules are communicated, protective equipment is worn, and incidents are investigated.
• Monitor ERT team availability and performance.
• Oversee the performance of contracts and contractor arrangements impacting plant operations.
• Lead inventory management for operations-related consumables, chemicals, and equipment.
• Implement IMS objectives and programs and assist during IMS audits.
• Develop and ensure implementation of Operation's department work instructions, policies, and procedures.
• Identify improvement opportunities and contribute to operational change initiatives.
• Manage the effective achievement of team objectives through performance management and development.

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in operations management within a plant environment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage an operations department.
• Experience in budget management and financial performance monitoring.
• Proficiency in operations planning and scheduling.
• Strong understanding of power generation and/or water production processes.
• Knowledge of maintenance planning and outage support.
• Experience with plant chemistry and laboratory management.
• Familiarity with health, safety, security, and environmental management policies.
• Experience in inventory and services management.
• Understanding of Integrated Management System (IMS) implementation.

Communication and Relationships

The Operation Manager will collaborate and engage with internal teams across the organization and external stakeholders, including agencies. Effective communication and relationship-building skills are essential for this role.