Head, Workshop & General Services

OQ; Oman; On-site; OMR 34,605 - 46,140; Full time

Job summary

OQ in Oman is seeking an experienced leader to manage workshop operations and asset reliability. The role includes developing preventive maintenance strategies to ensure the refinery operates efficiently and safely.

Candidates should have extensive experience in the Oil & Gas Refinery Industry, preferably in leadership roles, and possess a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering. Strong communication and problem-solving skills are essential, along with expertise in maintenance management systems.

Qualifications

• 12 years of experience in Oil & Gas Refinery Industry with leadership role for 3-5 years.
• Deep understanding of mechanical equipment and electrical systems.
• Familiarity with Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) and Root Cause Analysis (RCA).

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute preventive and corrective maintenance strategies.
• Plan and direct major refinery shutdowns and outages.
• Oversee daily workflow and capabilities of the maintenance workshop.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-solving skills

Strong communication

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical)

Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional (CMRP)

Certified Reliability Leader (CRL)

Tools

MS Office

SAP PM & MM Modules

Maintenance Management Systems

Job description

Job Purpose

Manages and leads the workshop and general services support processes to Operations Departments for the overall safe, smooth and reliable 24‑hour day operation to support the Plants production targets. Directs overall plant maintenance reliability and asset integrity, overseeing maintenance technicians, managing contractor relationships, developing preventive and predictive maintenance strategies, and controlling the maintenance budget to minimize equipment downtime and ensure the refinery operates safely and efficiently. The position acts in accordance with the OQ8 Mission, Vision, Values, Strategies, policies, guidelines, standards, supported by an IT Technology platform, HSE standards, Oman’s government and other legal justifications, and best international practices in consonance with national objectives.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Maintenance & Asset Reliability: Develop and execute comprehensive preventive and corrective maintenance strategies (PM/CM) to maximize the operational lifespan and reliability of rotating and static refinery assets.
• Plan and direct major refinery shutdowns, turnarounds and plant outages in close coordination with operations.
• Champion the use of the site’s Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to track work orders, analyze equipment downtime and allocate labor.
• Workshop Operations: Oversee the daily workflow, logistics and capabilities of the central maintenance workshop, which includes specialized teams for machining, fabrication, welding and valve repair.
• Ensure all workshop machinery, calibration tools and heavy equipment are fully functional and safe to use.
• Optimize workshop turnaround times for repairing pulled equipment bundles, pumps and compressors before returning them to operational service.
• General Services: Core business for workshop teams include civil works, scaffolding, insulation, painting, lifting and rigging.
• Safety Compliance & Environmental Control: Foster a robust safety culture, ensuring all maintenance and workshop tasks strictly adhere to Permit‑to‑Work systems, LOTO, Lockout Tagout, confined space and hot work protocols.
• Ensure compliance with ISO standards and local environmental regulations and report to regulatory bodies when necessary.
• Budgeting & Vendor Management: Develop and control operational expenditures (OPEX) and capital expenditures (CAPEX) related to facility upgrades, maintenance and equipment replacement.
• Negotiate contracts with external contractors, equipment manufacturers and specialized technical service providers.

Key Interactions

• Internal: COO Office, Operations, Maintenance, Technical Services, HSSE Functional Management, Logistics, Procurement.
• External: Contractors, Vendors and Suppliers.

Notable Working Conditions

Office environment and field operations. Moderate to intensive computer screen use. Sporadic travel to operational areas where the company operates.

Education Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical) or relevant engineering field. Certifications such as Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional (CMRP) or Certified Reliability Leader (CRL) are preferred.

Language Requirements

Excellent knowledge of written, read, and spoken English (required).

Background and Experience Competencies and Skills

• Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience in Oil & Gas Refinery Industry with specific areas on maintenance and reliability, including at least 3‑5 years in a leadership role.
• Deep understanding of mechanical equipment (pumps, compressors, piping, vessels) and electrical systems.
• Familiarity with Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) and Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
• Good knowledge of HSE / SCE equipment & plans.
• Outstanding coaching and developing experience and certification in major areas of maintenance.
• Knowledge of maintenance processes for the following refinery operations:
• Heavy Oil Complex Operation (CDU, VDU, SGP, LTU, KTU, DCU, and UGP)
• Hydro Processing Complex (HCU/ARU/SRU/SWS/DHT/HPU/PSA)
• Sulfur/Utilities Complex Operations (SRU, TGTU, ARU, CRU, SSW, CSW, BFW, Steam Generation, Air, N2, CWT, WWTP)
• Offsite/Logistics Complex Operations (Crude Receiving Terminal, Refinery Tankage, product Dispatch, Coke and Sulfur Handling, Flare, Buildings)

Soft Skills

• Leadership and people management.
• Problem‑solving skills.
• Strong communication, verbal and written skills.
• Analytical thinking in data analysis.
• Organizational commitment.
• Drive for excellence.

Technical Skills

• Computer knowledge in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, etc.).
• Maintenance Management Systems.
• Good knowledge of SAP (PM & MM Modules).
• Managing risks and hazards.
• Good knowledge of modern maintenance technologies & maintenance planning techniques for the Utilities and Offsite (Utility, Tank Farms, Inventory & Warehouse).
• Refinery Maintenance Planning and Scheduling including use of computer‑based tools.
• Refinery Maintenance – Reactive, Preventive, Predictive.
• Sound judgment in technical matters with good skills in engineering field.