Engagement details:Job Title: General Manager/ Plant Head Client: Prominent Regional Corporate Firm - Oil & Gas Employment type: Permanent role Location: Onsite in Dammam, KSAExperience level: 18+ years
About the Joint Venture:The JV is being established to build a state-of-the-art Advanced Precision Machining and Remanufacturing Facility, aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and IKTVA (In-Kingdom Total Value Add) mandates.
The initial and primary industry focus of the JV is the Oil & Gas – Upstream segment, including drilling, wellhead, pressure control, and production equipment components. The facility is being designed to meet API-driven and upstream qualification standards required by major EPCs and energy operators in the Kingdom.
Role Overview:Our client is seeking a seasoned and entrepreneurial General Manager / Plant Head to lead thisgreenfield Advanced Precision Machining & Remanufacturing Facility. This role carries full P&L responsibility and end-to-end accountability for building, operationalizing, qualifying, and scaling the JV facility.
The role requires deep familiarity with Oil & Gas upstream customer qualification cycles, API standards, and high-integrity machining and remanufacturing of critical components.
Key Responsibilities:1. Business & P&L Leadership Own full Profit & Loss responsibility for the JV operations. Deliver revenue, EBITDA, cash flow, and ROCE targets as approved by the Steering Committee. Build and execute annual operating plans and 3-year scale-up roadmap. Drive cost optimization, productivity improvements, and margin expansion. Manage capital deployment, capacity ramp-up, and machine utilization.
2. Greenfield Execution & Scale-UpLead plant commissioning, layout finalization, equipment installation, and operational readiness. Oversee ramp-up from initial machine set to full planned capacity. Establish structured SOPs, ERP systems, and performance dashboards. Build scalable processes to support phased expansion into upstream remanufacturing services.
3. Operational & Technical Leadership Lead advanced CNC machining operations (milling, turning, grinding) for high-integrity upstream components. Oversee machining and remanufacturing of upstream oilfield components such as drilling tools, wellhead equipment, pressure control components, valves, and rotating/static equipment. Oversee qualification and validation of special processes including heat treatment, surface treatments & coatings (HVOF, laser cladding), NDT, welding, and API-compliant processes. Drive Lean Manufacturing, TPM, Six Sigma, and operational excellence initiatives. Ensure optimal asset utilization and high OEE.
4. Quality, Certification & Compliance Lead facility certification journey including API Q1, API Monograms, and ISO certifications. Strong working knowledge of API Q1 systems and upstream compliance frameworks is mandatory. Ensure compliance with EPC and upstream customer audit requirements. Establish zero-defect culture with strong First Pass Yield discipline. Ensure strict compliance with HSE and Saudi regulatory requirements.
5. Customer & Market Interface Act as primary operational interface for upstream customers and EPCs. Lead technical discussions, audits, and qualification visits. Build credibility within the upstream ecosystem in Saudi Arabia. Support business development in collaboration with JV leadership.
6. Talent & Localization Leadership Recruit and build a high-performance leadership team. Develop a skilled workforce aligned with Saudi localization requirements and IKTVA mandates. Drive training, capability building, and succession planning. Create a performance-driven, accountable culture.
Qualifications & Experience:Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical / Manufacturing Engineering (Master’s preferred).18+ years of experience in precision machining and special processes. Mandatory: Minimum 10+ years of direct experience in Oil & Gas Upstream manufacturing or remanufacturing environments. Strong exposure to EPC-driven qualification cycles and upstream service companies. Minimum 7+ years in senior leadership role with P&L responsibility. Hands-on involvement in API-certified facilities is essential. Proven experience in greenfield plant setup or large-scale expansion. Experience working in GCC upstream ecosystem preferred.
Key Competencies:Strong understanding of upstream customer qualification and audit-heavy environments. Entrepreneurial mindset with structured execution capability. Strong commercial and financial orientation. Deep technical credibility in high-integrity machining environments. Ability to build systems from scratch. High accountability and ownership mentality. Strong stakeholder management skills (Board / JV / Customers). Commitment to safety, quality, and long-term value creation.