Chief Operating Officer (COO) - Riyadh Saudi Arabia

DHC Partners; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

DHC Partners Riyadh seeks a seasoned Chief Operating Officer to drive day-to-day operations, improve efficiency, and boost profitability across all business units in line with Vision 2030 objectives.

You will lead the Operations, Supply Chain, Production and Maintenance functions, translate strategy into measurable KPIs, ensure regulatory compliance, and foster a culture of safety, quality, and performance across multiple sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Industrial Management, or related field; Master’s/MBA preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership in industrial/manufacturing/engineering; 5+ years in COO or Senior Ops Director.
• P&L responsibility, multi-site or large-scale production experience.
• Strong financial acumen with cost optimization, CAPEX planning, and productivity improvement.
• Experience in GCC region; ISO/HSE/Lean/Quality familiarity; fluent English; Arabic is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the company’s operational strategy to support short- and long-term business goals.
• Lead operations, supply chain, production, and maintenance; partner with the CEO and Board on growth initiatives.
• Drive Lean, Six Sigma, TPM and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure ISO, HSE, and sustainability compliance across sites.
• Optimize budgets, costs, and margins; evaluate capital investments.
• Manage vendor relationships and procurement strategies.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering/Industrial Management

MBA preferred

Tools

ISO standards

HSE standards

Lean / Six Sigma

Quality management frameworks

Job description

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Industry: Industrial / Manufacturing / Engineering
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Direct Reports: Operations, Supply Chain, Production, Maintenance, HSE, and Support Services

Position Overview

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will be responsible for overseeing the company’s day-to-day operational performance and driving efficiency, productivity, and profitability across all business units. As a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, he will lead operations, supply chain, production, and maintenance functions while ensuring alignment with the company’s strategic objectives and compliance with Saudi and international standards.

The COO will play a critical role in translating corporate strategy into operational excellence, optimizing resources, and ensuring sustainable growth and customer satisfaction in line with Vision 2030 industrial development goals.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Develop and execute the company’s operational strategy to support short- and long-term business goals
• Partner with the CEO and Board to define growth initiatives, market expansion, and diversification plans.
• Translate strategic objectives into measurable operational KPIs and ensure performance alignment across departments.
• Lead business transformation initiatives, digitalization, and process optimization to enhance operational efficiency

Operations Management

• Oversee production, manufacturing, maintenance, and quality control to ensure timely, cost-effective, and high-quality outputs.
• Establish and maintain best-in-class operational systems, workflows, and performance monitoring frameworks.
• Drive continuous improvement programs (Lean, Six Sigma, TPM) and enforce a culture of operational excellence.
• Ensure compliance with ISO, HSE, and sustainability standards across all sites and facilities.
• Work closely with the CFO to optimize operational budgets, control costs, and improve margins.
• Evaluate capital investments, expansion projects, and procurement strategies to maximize ROI.
• Support contract negotiations and vendor management to ensure competitiveness and quality in the supply chain.

People & Performance

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing operations leadership team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and safety throughout the organization.
• Implement robust performance management systems and succession planning for critical roles.

Stakeholder & Regulatory Management

• Maintain strong relationships with key customers, government authorities, and industry partners.
• Ensure full compliance with Saudi industrial regulations, labor laws, and environmental standards.
• Represent the company at external forums, industry associations, and client meetings as required.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Industrial Management, or related field (Master’s / MBA preferred).
• Minimum 15 years of progressive leadership experience within industrial, manufacturing, or engineering sectors, including at least 5 years in a COO, or Senior Operations Director role.
• Proven track record in managing complex operations, P&L responsibility, and leading multi-site or large-scale production environments.
• Strong financial acumen with hands-on experience in cost optimization, CAPEX planning, and productivity improvement.
• Experience working in the GCC region.
• Familiarity with ISO, HSE, Lean, and Quality frameworks.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.
• Fluency in English required; Arabic proficiency is an advantage.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with strong execution capability.
• Results-driven and analytical, with a focus on efficiency and performance improvement.
• Collaborative leader who builds strong teams and drives organizational alignment.
• Adaptable, culturally sensitive, and capable of operating in a dynamic and fast-growing environment.