Senior Operations Director

Black & Grey HR; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 550,000 - 735,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment consultancy is seeking a Chief Operating Officer for a prominent player in agri-food manufacturing in the UAE. This role demands strategic leadership to optimize operations across manufacturing and supply chain, with responsibilities involving team leadership, commercial alignment, and continuous improvement. Candidates must have over 20 years of experience and a strong educational background in Business or Engineering. An attractive salary and benefits package is offered.

Benefits

Attractive Salary + Benefits

Qualifications

• 20+ years of progressive leadership experience in operational roles, preferably in multi-site manufacturing.
• Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams and delivering business transformation.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and drive operational performance across all business functions.
• Optimize supply chain functions to ensure efficiency and quality.
• Align operational strategies with market and customer demands.

Skills

Strategic planning

Operational excellence

Cross-functional leadership

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related field

MBA preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Overview

Black & Grey HR is recruiting on behalf of a leading player in the agri-food manufacturing space, operating large-scale, vertically integrated production and distribution facilities across the UAE and GCC. Our client is seeking a strategic and results-driven Chief Operating Officer to lead and optimize day-to-day operations across their business sector. This pivotal role is responsible for ensuring operational excellence across multiple functions—including production, supply chain, sales, commercial, quality, and R&D—while driving synergy, efficiency, and sustainable growth across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership - Lead and drive operational performance across all business functions and locations.
• Oversee manufacturing, supply chain, and production operations to ensure efficiency, scalability, and output quality.
• Champion cost optimization and resource efficiency initiatives.
• Sales & Commercial Alignment - Partner with commercial and sales teams to align operational strategies with market and customer demands.
• Drive pricing, distribution, and go-to-market strategies to enhance revenue and market share.
• Monitor sales performance and market trends to identify growth opportunities.
• Supply Chain & Logistics - Manage end-to-end supply chain functions, including procurement, inventory, logistics, and distribution.
• Establish strong supplier partnerships to ensure material continuity and reduce supply risks.
• Optimize logistics operations to ensure timely delivery and cost effectiveness.
• Strategic Planning & Execution - Translate high-level business strategies into actionable operational plans.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives and operational innovation programs.
• Ensure alignment of operational goals with the company’s long-term vision.
• People Leadership & Culture - Build, mentor, and lead high-performing, cross-functional teams across regions.
• Foster a culture of accountability, safety, performance, and innovation.
• Drive employee engagement, development, and succession planning.
• Compliance & Risk Management - Ensure all operations adhere to regulatory, environmental, and industry standards.
• Identify and mitigate operational risks, ensuring business continuity and quality assurance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related field. MBA preferred.
• 20+ years of progressive leadership experience in operational roles, preferably in multi-site manufacturing.
• Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams and delivering business transformation.
• Strong strategic planning, commercial acumen, and execution capabilities.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in ERP systems and data-driven performance management.

Benefits

• Attractive Salary + Benefits

Candidates who have a strategic and hands-on leadership style with a strong operational backbone, skilled in change management, stakeholder alignment, and cross-functional collaboration and a passion for sustainability, continuous improvement, and operational innovation are highly suggested to apply!