Lube Plant Manager

Client of InterManagement Manpower Services Limited; Manama; On-site; BHD 60,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Client of InterManagement Manpower Services Limited in Bahrain seeks an experienced Plant Manager to lead a 30,000 MTPA used lube oil re-refining facility. You will own strategic and operational responsibility across manufacturing, procurement, and distribution, with engineering, planning and maintenance support.

The ideal candidate has 15+ years in petroleum/refining and 5+ years in senior leadership, plus deep knowledge of refining processes, safety and asset management.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in petroleum/petrochemical refining/manufacturing
• 5+ years in senior plant leadership or operations management
• Strong knowledge of refining processes and asset management

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee all plant manufacturing and re-refining operations to maximize 30,000 MTPA capacity while ensuring safety and quality
• Coordinate Engineering, Production Planning and Maintenance to maximise reliability and minimise downtime
• Oversee procurement, warehousing, logistics and distribution of finished products
• Lead and develop a high-performance team and foster a safety-first culture
• Collaborate with leadership to set KPIs, CapEx budgets and cost controls

Skills

Leadership

Refinery operations

SHEQ & safety

Budgeting & procurement

Education

Bachelor's in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

ERP systems (e.g., SAP)

Job description

Position Summary

Our client in Bahrain is seeking an experienced and dynamic Plant Manager to lead operations at our advanced 30,000 MTPA used lube oil re-refining facility. In this critical leadership role, you will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for manufacturing, purchasing, and distribution operations, alongside key support functions including engineering, production planning, and maintenance. The ideal candidate will combine deep technical expertise in petroleum or petrochemical processing with exceptional leadership and problem-solving acumen to drive safety, efficiency, quality, and output excellence.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational Leadership & Manufacturing Excellence

• Direct and oversee all plant manufacturing and re-refining operations to ensure optimal utilization of the 30,000 MTPA capacity while maintaining the highest standards of safety, environmental compliance, and product quality.

• Manage and coordinate support functions including Engineering, Production Planning, and Maintenance to maximize plant reliability and minimize downtime.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, lean manufacturing principles, and process optimization across all refining units.

2. Supply Chain, Purchasing, & Distribution

• Oversee end-to-end procurement and purchasing functions, ensuring a reliable, cost-effective supply of raw materials (used lube oil feedstocks), chemicals, catalysts, and operational spares.

• Manage warehousing, logistics, and distribution operations to ensure timely delivery of finished re-refined base oils and products to customers.

3. Team Leadership & Talent Management

• Lead, mentor, and build a high-performing team of engineers, operators, maintenance staff, and administrative personnel.

• Foster a culture of accountability, safety consciousness, and professional growth across all plant departments.

4. Safety, Health, Environment, & Quality (SHEQ)

• Ensure strict adherence to statutory, environmental, and safety regulations governing hazardous waste recycling and petroleum refining.

• Champion rigorous safety protocols, incident investigation, and preventive safety practices across the facility.

5. Strategic Planning & Budgeting

• Collaborate with executive leadership to establish operational KPIs, capital expenditure (CapEx) budgets, and operational cost controls.

• Analyze plant performance data to resolve operational bottlenecks and execute effective problem-solving strategies.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Education: Minimum of a 4-year Bachelor s degree in Chemical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
• Experience:
  • At least 15 years of total experience within the petroleum or petrochemical refining/manufacturing sector.
  • A minimum of 5 years of managerial experience in a senior plant leadership or operations management role.
• Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of refining processes, distillation, hydro-treating, or used oil re-refining technologies, coupled with plant maintenance systems and asset management.
• Skills & Competencies:
  • Strong leadership and team-building capabilities.
  • Exceptional analytical, critical thinking, and root-cause problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and cross-functional coordination abilities.