Interim CEO – Leafan; Factory Establishment & Growth

About the Role

Almiras is seeking an Interim CEO to lead Leafan, a pioneering venture transforming palm and wood waste into sustainable particle boards. The candidate will take over from Almiras’s Venture Building Team and will be responsible for translating the investment thesis into tangible operations.

• Lead the establishment of Leafan’s first manufacturing facility in Qassim, from site execution to commissioning.
• Drive the procurement process for machinery, equipment, and services infrastructure.
• Negotiate and sign construction, supply, and operational contracts.
• Build and lead cross functional teams across sales, marketing, purchasing, and operations.
• Ensure technical, financial, and operational excellence in execution.
• Develop early go-to-market strategies and secure initial customers, based on initial feedback from the Venture Building Team.
• Represent Leafan as a trusted leader with stakeholders, suppliers, regulators, and clients.

• Proven track record as a CEO, COO, or senior executive in industrial manufacturing or large scale projects.
• Strong technical background in engineering, manufacturing, or industrial project development.
• Demonstrated leadership in factory setup, contract negotiations, and operational ramp-up.
• Strong business acumen and ability to balance technical execution with commercial strategy.
• Experience in sustainability, circular economy, or wood-based products is a plus.
• Excellent communication skills in English (Arabic is highly preferred).

Interim executive role with potential for transition into permanent leadership.

Based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with travel as required.