Chief Operating Officer; COO

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Industry: Industrial / Manufacturing / Engineering
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Direct Reports: Operations, Supply Chain, Production, Maintenance, HSE, and Support Services

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will be responsible for overseeing the company’s day-to-day operational performance and driving efficiency, productivity, and profitability across all business units. As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, he will lead operations, supply chain, production, and maintenance functions while ensuring alignment with the company’s strategic objectives and compliance with Saudi and international standards.

The COO will play a critical role in translating corporate strategy into operational excellence, optimizing resources, and ensuring sustainable growth and customer satisfaction in line with Vision 2030 industrial development goals.

• Develop and execute the company’s operational strategy to support short- and long-term business goals
• Partner with the CEO and Board to define growth initiatives, market expansion, and diversification plans.
• Translate strategic objectives into measurable operational KPIs and ensure performance alignment across departments.
• Lead business transformation initiatives, digitalization, and process optimization to enhance operational efficiency

• Oversee production, manufacturing, maintenance, and quality control to ensure timely, cost-effective, and high-quality outputs.
• Establish and maintain best-in-class operational systems, workflows, and performance monitoring frameworks.
• Drive continuous improvement programs (Lean, Six Sigma, TPM) and enforce a culture of operational excellence.
• Ensure compliance with ISO, HSE, and sustainability standards across all sites and facilities.
• Work closely with the CFO to optimize operational budgets, control costs, and improve margins.
• Evaluate capital investments, expansion projects, and procurement strategies to maximize ROI.
• Support contract negotiations and vendor management to ensure competitiveness and quality in the supply chain.

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing operations leadership team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and safety throughout the organization.
• Implement robust performance management systems and succession planning for critical roles.

• Maintain strong relationships with key customers, government authorities, and industry partners.
• Ensure full compliance with Saudi industrial regulations, labor laws, and environmental standards.
• Represent the company at external forums, industry associations, and client meetings as required.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Industrial Management, or related field (Master’s / MBA preferred).
• Minimum 15 years of progressive leadership experience within industrial, manufacturing, or engineering sectors, including at least 5 years in a COO, or Senior Operations Director role.
• Proven track record in managing complex operations, P&L responsibility, and leading multi-site or large-scale production environments.
• Strong financial acumen with hands-on experience in cost optimization, CAPEX planning, and productivity improvement.
• Experience working in the GCC region.
• Familiarity with ISO, HSE, Lean, and Quality frameworks.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.
• Fluency in English required;
  Arabic proficiency is an advantage.

• Strategic thinker with strong execution capability.
• Results-driven and analytical, with a focus on efficiency and performance improvement.
• Collaborative leader who builds strong teams and drives organizational alignment.
• Adaptable, culturally sensitive, and capable of operating in a dynamic and fast-growing environment.