Site Manager – Cargo Handling Systems

Vanderlande Industries GmbH; Dubai; On-site; AED 480,000 - 720,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderlande Industries GmbH in Dubai seeks a Site Manager – Cargo Handling Systems to lead mobilization, installation, testing and handover of state-of-the-art cargo handling systems at airport sites in Dubai. You will coordinate engineering, procurement, logistics and commissioning activities, manage stakeholders, and ensure safety and quality on complex international projects.

Ideal candidates hold a bachelor’s or master’s in electrical/automation/mechatronics engineering, with 8+ years’

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in electrical engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience in site installation, industrial automation, or material handling.
• Strong experience in Cargo Handling Systems and automated logistics environments.
• Minimum 3 years leading site engineers, supervisors, technicians, and subcontractors.
• Knowledge of installation, testing, commissioning, system integration, and handover activities.

Responsibilities

• Manage mobilization, installation, testing, commissioning, handover and demobilization of Cargo Handling Systems.
• Lead installation and integration of electrical, mechanical, controls, conveyors, and material handling equipment.
• Coordinate subcontractors and internal functions including Engineering, Procurement, Logistics, Controls, Commissioning and PM.
• Monitor site progress against schedule and address delays, risks and recovery actions.
• Oversee site resources, manpower, installation priorities, and logistics.
• Ensure compliance with installation methods, drawings, specs and quality procedures.
• Plan site access, permits, coordination and approvals for airport/cargo environments.
• Maintain safety, provide safety instructions when required.
• Act as main customer contact for site topics and coordinate with airport operators and vendors.
• Coordinate interface with site warehouse for materials and equipment distribution.
• Maintain progress records, costs, schedules, variations and site instructions.
• Identify risks and develop mitigation and recovery plans.
• Prepare site progress reports and documentation; notify changes and variations.
• Coordinate decisions with scheduling, financial and legal impact with PM/Commercial PM.
• Support testing, commissioning, system integration, punch-list closure, and acceptance.
• Lead readiness and handover activities with client and stakeholders; ensure safety compliance.

Skills

Site management

Stakeholder management

Project coordination

Industrial automation

Electrical systems

Conveyors

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's or master's in Electrical/Automation/Mechatronics

Tools

Primavera P6

AutoCAD

REVIT

ePlan

SCADA

PLC

Job description

We are a leading provider of innovative and high-performance solutions for airport logistics. Our portfolio includes products and solutions for baggage and cargo handling, high-end software for the digitalization of logistics processes as well as an extensive range of maintenance and services. Major customers include renowned airports and airlines around the globe.

Be part of our Project Execution team as a Site Manager – Cargo Handling Systems in Dubai.

What are my responsibilities?

• Manage all site activities related to mobilization, installation, testing, commissioning, final handover, and demobilization of Cargo Handling Systems.
• Lead the installation and integration of electrical, mechanical, controls, conveyor, and material handling equipment in line with project requirements.
• Coordinate subcontractors and internal functions including Engineering, Procurement, Logistics, Controls, Commissioning, and Project Management.
• Monitor site progress against the approved project schedule and identify delays, risks, and recovery actions.
• Manage site resources, manpower, installation priorities, and site logistics to support timely project execution.
• Ensure adherence to installation methodologies, approved drawings, technical specifications, and quality procedures.
• Plan and coordinate site access, permits, operational coordination, and stakeholder approvals required for execution within airport and cargo operational environments.
• Take responsibility for site safety and provide instructions on safety-related matters where required.
• Act as the main customer contact for all site-related topics.
• Manage interfaces with airport operators, end users, consultants, Civil / MEP contractors, and third-party vendors to ensure smooth project execution.
• Coordinate with the site warehouse to ensure availability, storage, and timely distribution of materials and equipment.
• Maintain accurate records relating to progress, costs, schedules, variations, delays, claims, and site instructions.
• Identify project risks, operational impacts, and resource shortage and develop mitigation and recovery plans.
• Prepare regular site progress reports and maintain complete project documentation.
• Identify deviations from scope and provide supporting information for notifications of change and variation claims.
• Coordinate any site decisions with scheduling, financial, contractual, or legal impact with the Project Manager and Commercial Project Manager.
• Support testing, commissioning, system integration, punch-list closure, and final acceptance activities.
• Ensure all quality requirements and inspection procedures are followed throughout installation and commissioning.
• Lead site readiness and coordinate operational handover activities, training sessions, and documentation close-out with the client and internal stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with applicable legislation, Site operational procedures, security requirements, permit to work processes where applicable and regulations relating to industrial safety, workplace safety, environmental protection, and accident prevention.

What do I need to qualify for the role?

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in electrical engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience in site installation, industrial automation, or material handling projects.
• Strong experience in Cargo Handling Systems, Material Handling Systems, conveyor systems, automated logistics, or similar industrial automation environments.
• Minimum 3 years of experience leading site engineers, supervisors, technicians, and subcontractors.
• Strong knowledge of installation, testing, commissioning, system integration, and project handover activities.
• Good technical understanding of electrical systems, control panels, field devices, drives, conveyors, sensors, and industrial automation equipment.
• Strong site management knowledge including scheduling, installation methodologies, quality control, site logistics, cost monitoring, and subcontractor management.
• Good understanding of Primavera P6 or similar project scheduling tools is preferred.
• Familiar with AutoCAD, REVIT, ePlan, or similar engineering applications.
• PLC and SCADA knowledge is an advantage.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills with the ability to work across engineering, commercial, project management, and customer teams.
• Experience working in multicultural and international project environments is preferred.
• Willingness to travel and work on projects outside UAE when required.

Diversity & Inclusion

Vanderlande is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regards to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status.