Project Manager Warehouse Activation

NRTC Group Of Companies; Dubai; On-site; AED 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

NRTC Group Of Companies in the UAE seeks a Project Manager – Warehouse Activation to own end-to-end activation of new and upgraded warehouse facilities, including site readiness, fit-out, racking, and temperature-controlled infrastructure, plus WMS/ERP go‑live.

You will report to the Chief Operating Officer and coordinate with landlords, consultants, contractors and IT to deliver on time, on budget and to food-safety quality standards across UAE sites, while building a repeatable activation

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience managing a warehouse and activating warehouses into operations.
• Graduation in Engineering or Supply Chain.
• PMP or equivalent project management certification.
• Experience with temperature-controlled and perishable/fresh-produce operations.
• Hands-on WMS/ERP implementation or go-live experience.
• Familiarity with UAE regulatory, municipality, civil defence and food-safety approval processes.
• Lean, Six Sigma or similar continuous improvement qualification.
• Currently based in the UAE and available to join immediately.

Responsibilities

• Own the full activation lifecycle for warehouse projects from initiation to handover.
• Coordinate site readiness, fit-out, and infrastructure with landlords, consultants and contractors.
• Configure and go-live with WMS/ERP and related IT systems.
• Develop operating models and SOPs for inbound, storage, and picking.
• Define slotting and space-allocation logic and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Lead recruitment, training and mobilisation of warehouse staff for go-live.
• Define KPIs and report progress to COO and leadership.

Job description

Role Purpose

nbsp Role Purpose The Project Manager Warehouse Activation owns the end-to-end delivery of new and upgraded warehouse facilities site readiness fit-out racking and equipment temperature-controlled infrastructure systems WMS ERP go-live staffing process design and the transition into steady-state operations Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer the role sits at the intersection of engineering supply chain and operations and is accountable for delivering each activation on time on budget and to the required food-safety quality and productivity standards across our UAE facilities

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning amp Governance

• Own the full activation lifecycle for assigned warehouse projects initiation planning execution monitoring go-live and handover to operations
• Build and maintain the master project plan covering scope milestones dependencies critical path budget and resource requirements
• Prepare business cases capex requests and cost estimates
• Track actual spend against budget and report variances
• Maintain the project risk and issue register define mitigation plans and escal
• Chair project governance meetings and provide clear regular status reporting to the COO and wider leadership team

Site Readiness Fit-Out amp Infrastructure

• Work with landlords consultants and contractors on site selection input layout design civil works and fit-out delivery
• Design and validate warehouse layouts receiving and dispatch bays chilled and ambient zones racking configuration staging value-added service and packing areas to optimise storage density and material flow
• Manage the specification tendering procurement installation and commissioning of racking MHE refrigeration and cold-room systems dock equipment scales packaging lines and IT infrastructure
• Coordinate all statutory approvals licences municipality and civil-defence requirements HACCP food-safety certification and utility connections
• Manage contractors and vendors on scope schedule quality HSE compliance snagging and final handover

Systems amp Process Activation

• Partner with IT to configure test and go live with WMS ERP scanning devices barcoding labelling and integration with transport and order-management systems
• Design and document the operating model and SOPs for inbound put-away storage replenishment picking packing dispatch returns and stock counting
• Define slotting and space-allocation logic temperature regimes FEFO FIFO rules and traceability requirements for perishable and chilled products
• Plan and run system integration testing dry runs pilot volumes and phased ramp-up before full cutover

Mobilisation People amp

• Go-Live Determine manpower and shift requirements work with HR to recruit onboard and train the warehouse team ahead of go-live Deliver training on SOPs systems equipment operation hygiene and safety and confirm competency before activation Plan and execute stock migration and cutover from existing facilities with minimum disruption to customer service Lead the hypercare period after go-live resolving teething issues and stabilising throughput accuracy and service levels

Performance Compliance amp

• Handover Define and track activation KPIs schedule adherence capex spend inventory accuracy dock-to-stock time pick productivity order fill rate OTIF and wastage Ensure the facility operates in full compliance with food-safety HACCP cold-chain HSE and local regulatory requirements from day one Drive continuous improvement using lean tools layout optimisation and automation opportunities Complete formal handover to the operations team with a full documentation pack as-built layouts asset registers SOPs warranties maintenance schedules and training records Capture and share lessons learned to build a repeatable activation playbook for future sites

Minimum 5 years of experience managing a warehouse and activating warehouses into operations. Experience gained in Cold Store, 3PL, FMCG or E-Commerce companies. Graduation in Engineering or Supply Chain. PMP or equivalent project management certification. Preferred Experience with temperature-controlled and perishable/fresh-produce operations. Hands-on WMS/ERP implementation or go-live experience. Familiarity with UAE regulatory, municipality, civil defence and food-safety approval processes. Lean, Six Sigma or similar continuous improvement qualification. Currently based in the UAE and available to join immediately.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong project management discipline planning, budgeting, scheduling, risk management and reporting
• Solid technical understanding of warehouse design, racking systems, MHE and refrigeration
• Confident stakeholder management across operations, IT, HR, finance, contractors and vendors
• Analytical and data-driven, comfortable with Excel, MS Project or equivalent planning tools
• Hands-on, solutions-focused and able to work to tight deadlines in a fast-moving environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English; Arabic or Hindi/Urdu an advantage
• Valid UAE driving licence and willingness to travel between sites