Cost Control Specialist

About the Role

TalentHive is partnering with a well-established Saudi group to recruit a Cost Control Specialist for a full-time position in Dammam, Eastern Province. This role is integral to strengthening the PMO and Cost Control function within a group undergoing significant growth and transformation. The specialist will support a diverse portfolio of businesses, including heavy equipment and equipment rental, transportation, facilities and workforce services, catering, and accommodation.

Role Context and Objectives

This is a hands-on Cost Control position that requires close collaboration with PMO, Finance, and Operations teams. The primary objective is to provide management with clear insights into current costs, future expenditure, and profitability, enabling informed decision-making and corrective actions. The role involves understanding the practical mechanics behind cost figures and proactively addressing variances.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor actual costs and commitments against approved budgets.
• Prepare and regularly update cost forecasts.
• Manage ETC (Estimate to Complete), EAC (Estimate at Completion), and cost-to-complete analysis.
• Analyze direct, indirect, and operational cost drivers.
• Identify cost variances and investigate their root causes.
• Assess the cost impact of operational or scope changes.
• Identify cost overruns, inefficiencies, and opportunities for savings.
• Recommend and support corrective actions.
• Produce cost reports, dashboards, and management analysis.
• Provide visibility around current costs, future expenditure, and profitability.
• Validate cost information and ensure reporting accuracy.
• Work closely with Finance, PMO, and operational stakeholders.
• Support improvements to cost-control processes, governance, and reporting across multiple business units.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Nationality: Saudi National.
• Education: Relevant Bachelor's degree.
• Experience: 5-10 years of hands-on experience in Cost Control, Cost Engineering, Project Controls, Cost Analysis, Project Finance, or Commercial Cost Control.
• Industry Experience: Relevant experience may come from EPC/Construction/Infrastructure, Oil & Gas/Industrial Services, Heavy Equipment/Equipment Rental, Transportation/Logistics, Facilities, or other asset-intensive/service environments. Strong Cost Control fundamentals and adaptability across different operating environments are essential.
• Technical Skills: Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis; strong Excel capability; exposure to ERP, financial, or cost-control systems.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, with the ability to explain personal methods for building and maintaining forecasts, identifying variances, and implementing corrective actions.
• Location: Based in or willing to work in Dammam.

Compensation

The salary for a Cost Control Specialist is up to SAR 15,000 per month. For a Senior Cost Control Specialist, the salary is up to SAR 18,000 per month.

Application

We encourage Saudi Cost Control professionals seeking to develop their careers within a growing organization and gain exposure across multiple businesses and operating models to apply.