Chief Operating Officer

Kafaat Business Solutions شركة كفاءات حلول الأعمال; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Kafa’at Business Solutions (KBS) invites a seasoned General Manager / Chief Operating Officer to lead a strategic water solutions portfolio in Saudi Arabia. You will drive P&L performance, oversee EPC and O&M, manage manufacturing and specialty chemicals, and build lasting partnerships with government and industrial clients while ensuring regulatory compliance.

You will lead a large, multidisciplinary team, set strategic direction, and ensure high standards of safety, quality, and operational

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemical/Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 15+ years of experience in water treatment and/or desalination.
• Proven EPC and O&M leadership in water projects.
• Strong knowledge of the Saudi Arabian water sector and regulatory environment.
• Professional proficiency in Arabic and English.

Responsibilities

• Lead overall business strategy, operational performance, and growth of the water solutions business.
• Own P&L performance, revenue growth, profitability, EBITDA, CAPEX, and efficiency.
• Drive opportunities across municipal, industrial, and commercial water sectors.
• Lead EPC and O&M operations for water treatment/desalination projects and facilities.
• Oversee manufacturing and engineering activities for water treatment technologies (RO, MED, MSF, STP).
• Ensure plant performance meets contractual water quality, uptime, energy efficiency, and KPIs.
• Drive specialty water treatment chemicals business including manufacturing, trading, distribution, and supply chain.
• Lead asset management, preventive maintenance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Build and maintain relationships with key clients, government entities, and suppliers.
• Lead strategic partnerships, negotiations, and major business agreements.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, HSE, quality, and engineering standards.
• Develop multidisciplinary teams across engineering, operations, and commercial functions.
• Drive localization, local sourcing, and organizational capability development.

Skills

Leadership

P&L management

Water sector expertise

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Bilingual: Arabic & English

Education

Bachelor/Master in Chemical/Mechanical Engineering

MBA desirable

Job description

Established in Saudi Arabia, Kafa’at Business Solutions (KBS) is one of Tahakom Investment Company's (TIC) subsidiaries, fully owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Our mission is aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, combining strategic clarity with tangible impact to support sustainable growth and development across both public and private sectors. With a strong presence across both the public and private sectors, we deliver forward-thinking business solutions and consulting services that empower organizations through knowledge and technology.

Client of Kafa’at is looking for General Manager / Chief Operating Officer – Water Solutions:

Job Purpose

The General Manager / Chief Operating Officer will lead the overall business strategy and operations of an integrated water solutions business, covering water treatment and desalination, EPC, Operations & Maintenance (O&M), manufacturing, and specialty water treatment chemicals.

The role requires extensive leadership experience within the water and desalination sector, combined with strong operational, technical, commercial, and P&L management expertise.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the overall business strategy, operational performance, and growth of the water solutions business.
• Own P&L performance, revenue growth, profitability, EBITDA, CAPEX, and overall operational efficiency.
• Drive business growth and strategic opportunities across municipal, industrial, and commercial water sectors.
• Lead EPC and O&M operations across water treatment and desalination projects and facilities.
• Oversee manufacturing and engineering activities related to water treatment and desalination technologies, including RO, MED, MSF, and STP systems.
• Ensure plant performance meets contractual requirements related to water quality, uptime, energy efficiency, and operational KPIs.
• Lead the specialty water treatment chemicals business, including manufacturing, trading, distribution, supply chain, and related commercial activities.
• Drive asset management, preventive maintenance, and continuous improvement initiatives across operations.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key clients, government entities, industrial stakeholders, technology providers, vendors, and suppliers.
• Lead strategic partnerships, commercial negotiations, and major business agreements.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory, HSE, quality, and engineering standards.
• Lead and develop multidisciplinary engineering, technical, operational, and commercial teams.
• Drive localization, local sourcing, and organizational capability development initiatives.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline; an MBA is highly desirable.
• 15+ years of relevant experience in the water treatment and/or desalination sector.
• Strong experience within the Saudi Arabian water sector and understanding of its regulatory, procurement, and technical environment.
• Proven experience leading EPC and O&M operations within water treatment or desalination businesses.
• Strong experience in water treatment and desalination technologies, including RO and other major treatment technologies.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing manufacturing, engineering, or industrial production within the water solutions sector.
• Strong exposure to specialty water treatment chemicals, including manufacturing, formulations, trading, distribution, or supply chain.
• Proven track record of P&L ownership, revenue growth, profitability improvement, and operational performance management.
• Experience managing relationships with major government, municipal, industrial, or infrastructure clients.
• Proven ability to lead large, multidisciplinary technical, operational, and commercial teams.
• Professional proficiency in Arabic and English.