Manufacturing Director

The Arab Lens; Dammam; On-site; SAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

The Arab Lens seeks a Manufacturing Director to lead production operations, advancing Lean and Operational Excellence in Saudi Arabia. The role requires guiding multi-facility operations and shaping the company’s manufacturing strategy.

You will drive KPIs, budgets, and capital projects while ensuring safety, quality, and regulatory compliance, and fostering leadership development across teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or related discipline.
• 15+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Operational Excellence.
• Excellent commercial, financial, and strategic planning capabilities.
• Outstanding leadership and executive communication skills.
• GCC manufacturing experience is preferred.
• Fluency in English is required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the organization’s manufacturing strategy.
• Lead multiple production facilities or large manufacturing operations.
• Establish operational KPIs and manufacturing performance targets.
• Drive productivity, efficiency, quality, and cost optimization initiatives.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence programs.
• Oversee engineering, maintenance, planning, and production functions.
• Ensure compliance with HSE, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage manufacturing budgets and capital investment projects.
• Develop manufacturing technology and automation initiatives.
• Build leadership capability through succession planning and talent development.
• Collaborate with executive leadership on strategic planning and growth initiatives.
• Present manufacturing performance and recommendations to executive management.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma

Operational Excellence

Leadership

Executive communication

English fluency

Strategic financial planning

GCC experience

Commercial acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Manufacturing

MBA or related postgraduate

Job description

Our client is a leading manufacturing organization with a strong commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth. As part of its long‑term strategic plans, the company is seeking a Manufacturing Director to provide executive leadership across its production operations while driving efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement.

The Role

The Manufacturing Director will be responsible for developing and executing the organization’s manufacturing strategy while overseeing production, engineering, maintenance, quality, planning, and operational performance. This executive leadership role requires a commercially aware manufacturing professional capable of leading large‑scale operations and supporting business expansion.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the organization’s manufacturing strategy.
• Lead multiple production facilities or large manufacturing operations.
• Establish operational KPIs and manufacturing performance targets.
• Drive productivity, efficiency, quality, and cost optimization initiatives.
• Lead Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence programs.
• Oversee engineering, maintenance, planning, and production functions.
• Ensure compliance with HSE, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage manufacturing budgets and capital investment projects.
• Develop manufacturing technology and automation initiatives.
• Build leadership capability through succession planning and talent development.
• Collaborate with executive leadership on strategic planning and growth initiatives.
• Present manufacturing performance and recommendations to executive management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline.
• MBA or postgraduate qualification is highly desirable.
• 15+ years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success leading large manufacturing operations.
• Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Operational Excellence.
• Excellent commercial, financial, and strategic planning capabilities.
• Outstanding leadership and executive communication skills.
• GCC manufacturing experience is preferred.
• Fluency in English is required.