About the Role
Almarai, the world's largest vertically integrated dairy company and the MENA region's largest food and beverage manufacturer and distributor, is seeking an experienced Engineering Manager - Utilities to join its dynamic multinational team. Headquartered in Saudi Arabia, Almarai is a market leader across the GCC and employs over 40,000 individuals. This critical role will be based at a high-volume poultry processing plant in Al Shamli, Hail Region, Saudi Arabia, and is integral to the company's aggressive expansion program.
The Engineering Manager - Utilities will be responsible for leading and managing all utility operations within the plant, ensuring the reliable, efficient, and cost-effective delivery of essential utilities such as steam, refrigeration, water, and compressed air to support continuous production. This position is key to maintaining high equipment reliability, driving efficiency improvements, and ensuring strict adherence to safety, quality, and environmental standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the Utilities & Maintenance team to ensure uninterrupted plant operations.
- Oversee the operation, maintenance, and optimization of all utility systems, including Power Distribution, Refrigeration (Ammonia systems), Boilers & steam systems, Air compressors, Water treatment & effluent treatment plants, and HVAC and cooling systems.
- Develop and implement comprehensive Preventive Maintenance (PM/PPM) plans for all utility equipment.
- Ensure maximum uptime and reliability of utilities to support production targets.
- Monitor and control energy consumption and utility costs effectively.
- Lead engineering projects, encompassing upgrades, modifications, and new installations.
- Ensure strict compliance with Health, Safety, Environmental (HSE) and food safety standards.
- Manage operational expenditure (OPEX) and capital expenditure (CAPEX) budgets, and optimize resource utilization.
- Conduct thorough root cause analysis for any operational issues and implement effective corrective and preventive actions.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives utilizing methodologies such as Lean, TPM, and Six Sigma.
- Develop and train engineering staff to enhance team capability and expertise.
Qualifications and Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or a related discipline).
- Minimum of 8 years of experience in utilities and/or maintenance within food manufacturing, poultry, FMCG, or processing plants.
- Strong hands-on experience with industrial utility systems, including refrigeration, boilers, compressors, and water systems.
- Proven experience in managing maintenance teams and overseeing plant operations.
- Specific experience in poultry or meat processing plants is highly desirable.
- Knowledge of Lean, TPM, or Six Sigma methodologies.
- Familiarity with SAP PM or similar maintenance management systems.
Required Skills
- Utilities & Maintenance Team Management
- Operation and Maintenance of Utility Systems
- Power Distribution
- Refrigeration (Ammonia systems)
- Boilers & Steam Systems
- Air Compressors
- Water Treatment & Effluent Treatment Plants
- HVAC and Cooling Systems
- Preventive Maintenance (PM/PPM) Planning
- Energy Consumption Monitoring and Control
- Engineering Project Management (Upgrades, Modifications, New Installations)
- Health, Safety, Environmental (HSE) Compliance
- Food Safety Standards Compliance
- Budget Management (OPEX & CAPEX)
- Resource Utilization Optimization
- Root Cause Analysis
- Corrective/Preventive Actions Implementation
- Continuous Improvement Initiatives (Lean / TPM / Six Sigma)
- Staff Development and Training
- Industrial Utilities Systems Expertise
- Maintenance Team Management
- Plant Operations Management
- Lean Methodologies
- TPM Methodologies
- Six Sigma Methodologies
- SAP PM
Work Environment and Compensation
This is a full-time position based in Al Shamli, Hail Region, Saudi Arabia. Almarai offers a competitive remuneration package, including generous leave, medical coverage, a discretionary bonus, and opportunities for training and development.
