Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Industrial Manufacturing (Hydraulics & Metal Fabrication)

Optimus Fit; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Saudi industrial manufacturer is seeking a Chief Operating Officer to drive operational excellence across manufacturing and supply chain. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in industrial manufacturing, with a strong background in operational leadership. Responsibilities include overseeing daily operations, optimizing supply chains, and ensuring compliance with quality standards. This role offers competitive compensation and the opportunity to make a significant impact in a growing company.

Benefits

Annual bonus tied to KPIs

Additional growth incentives

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in industrial manufacturing.
• 5+ years in operational leadership roles (COO, Operations Director, etc.).
• Track record of managing large-scale operations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations across the organization.
• Lead procurement, vendor management, and supply chain strategies.
• Strengthen QA/QC systems to reduce defects and warranty claims.

Skills

Operational excellence

Lean manufacturing practices

Supply chain optimization

Leadership and culture development

Bilingual proficiency in Arabic and English

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Operations Management

MBA/Executive education

Job description

Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Industrial Manufacturing (Hydraulics & Metal Fabrication)

Talent Acquisition @OptimusFit |Head Hunting - Technical Recruitment - Executive Search -FullCycleRecruiting

Chief Operating Officer (COO) – Industrial Manufacturing (Hydraulics & Metal Fabrication)

Employment Type: Full-time, Executive Role

Reports to: CEO / Board of Directors

About the Company

A leading Saudi industrial manufacturer specializing in hydraulic solutions and advanced metal fabrication systems, offering a diverse portfolio that includes:

• Waste compactors and balers (stationary, mobile, carton, and steel)
• Hook-lift, skip-loader, and tipper systems
• Street sweepers, tankers (water & fuel), and mixers
• Hydraulic power units and electrical control systems
• Flatbeds, heavy-duty trailers, and transport solutions
• Hydraulic road blockers and security systems
• After-sales, maintenance, and spare parts services

The company also holds a patent for an innovative product with strong market demand, positioning it for rapid growth and differentiation.

Role Purpose

The COO will be responsible for driving operational excellence across manufacturing, supply chain, quality, health & safety, and after-sales services. This role ensures that production capacity, operational efficiency, and cost-effectiveness fully support the company’s commercial growth strategy. The COO will partner closely with the CEO to translate strategic goals into efficient and scalable operational execution.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Oversee day-to-day operations, including manufacturing, assembly, logistics, and maintenance services.
• Ensure on-time delivery (OTD), production scheduling accuracy, and inventory optimization.
• Implement lean manufacturing practices and continuous improvement initiatives to maximize Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Maintain high standards of workplace safety (HSE) and compliance with ISO/quality standards.

Supply Chain & Production Planning

• Lead procurement, vendor management, and local/international supply chain strategies.
• Optimize working capital (inventory turns, DSO/DPO) and reduce operational costs.
• Align supply chain readiness with sales forecasts and backlog requirements.

Quality & Innovation Support

• Strengthen QA/QC systems to reduce defects, warranty claims, and rework costs.
• Partner with R&D and engineering teams to scale up production of new and patented products.
• Oversee technology adoption in production (automation, IoT-enabled systems, smart maintenance).
• Develop annual operating budgets and deliver against cost, margin, and efficiency targets.
• Track KPIs across production, supply chain, and service operations, reporting results to the CEO/Board.
• Identify operational risks and establish mitigation strategies.

Leadership & Culture

• Build and mentor high-performing teams across operations, engineering, supply chain, and after-sales.
• Drive a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous learning.
• Support Saudization by developing local talent in technical and operational roles.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical) or Operations Management; MBA/Executive education preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in industrial manufacturing, hydraulics, or heavy equipment, with at least 5 years in operational leadership roles (COO, Operations Director, Plant Manager, etc.).
• Proven track record in:
• Managing large-scale manufacturing operations with strong delivery performance.
• Implementing lean/continuous improvement methodologies.
• Optimizing supply chain, procurement, and cost control.
• Supporting commercialization of new or patented products.
• Strong understanding of ISO, HSE, and industrial safety standards.
• Bilingual proficiency in Arabic and English.
• Execution-focused leadership with high attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage complex projects and cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Operational Efficiency: OEE, downtime reduction, unit cost improvement.
• Delivery Performance: On-time delivery (OTD %), backlog execution.
• Quality & Safety: Defect rates, warranty claims, TRIR (safety incident rate).
• Financial: Operating cost reduction %, inventory turns, EBITDA contribution.
• Innovation Support: Time-to-market for new products, production scalability.
• People: Saudization %, employee retention, training hours per capita.

Compensation & Incentives

• Annual bonus tied to operational and financial KPIs.
• Additional incentives aligned with company-wide growth targets.

CEO and Co-Founder - Cross-Border Trade Financing (KSA)