Operations Manager – Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF)

Averda; Tabuk Province; On-site; SAR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Averda is seeking an experienced Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF) Manager to lead the safe, efficient, and profitable operation of a world‑class waste treatment facility in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

You will oversee all operational activities across multiple treatment streams, manage the client relationship, drive P&L, ensure compliance with health, safety and environmental standards, and develop the operations team to achieve contractual targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, chemical, environmental, industrial or process engineering or related field.
• Desirable qualifications in waste management, environmental or operations management.
• NEBOSH IGC or IOSH Managing Safely advantageous.
• Plant/maintenance certifications advantageous.
• Lean, Six Sigma, project management or maintenance certifications advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of multiple treatment and recovery processes.
• Ensure throughput, diversion and treatment targets meet contractual and quality standards.
• Lead and develop the operations team across all shifts.
• Implement and maintain operational systems, processes and SOPs.
• Coordinate plant maintenance to maximise availability and asset life.
• Manage the project’s P&L and cost control against budget.
• Serve as main client contact and manage the client relationship.
• Provide regular reporting to client and stakeholders per contract.
• Ensure full contractual delivery of the project scope and service levels.
• Manage resourcing, training and succession planning.
• Ensure compliance with HSE policies and environmental permits.
• Oversee risk, quality control and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Operations leadership

P&L accountability

Cost control

Project management

Health and safety

Education

Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering

Chemical/Environmental/Industrial/Process Eng related field

Tools

Excel (advanced)

SAP

Oracle

CMMS

SCADA / DCS

ERP systems

Job description

Averda is a leading global provider of integrated waste management and environmental services, delivering innovative, sustainable solutions to some of the world’s most complex waste challenges. Operating across multiple markets, we are committed to transforming waste into value while safeguarding the environment, supporting our communities, and driving operational excellence.

Overview

We are looking for an experienced Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF) Manager to lead the safe, efficient, and profitable operation of a world-class waste treatment facility. This role is responsible for overseeing all operational activities across multiple treatment and recovery processes, ensuring contractual, environmental, financial, and regulatory obligations are consistently achieved.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and control the day-to-day operations of the Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF), comprising the Material Recovery Facility (MRF), glass crushing, the tunnel (in-vessel) composting facility, Polishing Facility, Maturation Facility, the incineration facility, and brick manufacturing Facility, together with all common infrastructure including waste reception, weighbridge, leachate/process water and residue management
• Own delivery of the facility’s throughput, diversion and treatment targets, ensuring all waste received is accepted, processed and dispatched within contractual timeframes and to the required quality standards
• Lead, direct and develop the operations team to ensure the safe, efficient and continuous running of the facility across all shifts
• Implement and maintain operational systems, processes, policies, structures and standard operating procedures across all process areas
• Plan and coordinate plant maintenance and improvement works with the Engineering and Maintenance team to maximise plant availability, reliability and asset life
• Own the project’s financial performance, including full profit & loss (P&L) accountability and cost control against budget
• Act as the main point of contact with the client and manage the day-to-day client relationship
• Ensure accurate and timely daily, weekly and monthly reporting to the client and stakeholders as per contract requirements, supported by a reconciled site mass balance
• Report to the Country Managing Director and other project stakeholders on operational and financial performance
• Ensure full contractual delivery of the project scope of work, service levels and requirements
• People management, including resourcing, competency development, shift planning and succession
• Comply with Health, Safety, Security and Environment policies and uphold all environmental permit, license and consent conditions
• Risk management and quality control
• Manage and control legislative and regulatory compliance

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Environmental, Industrial or Process Engineering, or a related technical field
• Qualification or certification in waste management, environmental management or operations management will be advantageous
• Recognised health and safety qualification (e.g. NEBOSH IGC or IOSH Managing Safely) will be advantageous
• Process plant, thermal plant or boiler operations certification will be advantageous
• Lean, Six Sigma, project management or maintenance and reliability certification will be advantageous

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of integrated waste treatment operations, in particular material recovery (MRF), in-vessel or tunnel composting and thermal treatment / incineration
• Knowledge of waste characterisation, waste acceptance criteria, weighbridge control and site mass balance reconciliation
• Understanding of composting process control, sanitisation requirements and compost quality standards and testing
• Understanding of combustion control, air pollution control systems, continuous emissions monitoring and ash / residue characterisation and disposal
• Knowledge of environmental and waste management regulations, permitting and reporting obligations applicable in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and of relevant international standards
• Knowledge of plant maintenance planning, CMMS and asset reliability principles
• Commercial and contract management knowledge, including P&L, budgeting and forecasting, KPI and service level regimes and deduction / liquidated damages mechanisms
• Local HSSEQ requirements for the business or similar, including permit to work, lock-out/tag-out, confined space and emergency response
• Knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 management systems
• English & Arabic (fluent speak, read and write)

Experience

• Minimum 8 to 10 years’ experience in waste treatment, process plant or heavy industrial operations, of which at least 5 years in a senior operations or plant management role
• Proven operational experience in at least one of a material recovery facility, an in-vessel or tunnel composting facility, or an incineration / thermal treatment plant; experience across all treatment facilities will be highly advantageous
• Minimum 5 years’ experience managing multi-disciplinary teams, including shift-based operations and subcontractors
• Demonstrated profit & loss or budget ownership and cost control experience on an operational contract
• Experience of client communication, contractual reporting and management of KPIs and service levels
• Experience of plant commissioning, ramp-up, performance testing or takeover of a new facility will be advantageous
• Experience working in the GCC, and with Saudi regulatory authorities and local content requirements, will be advantageous
• Valid driving license
• MS Office, including advanced Excel for production, mass balance and cost analysis
• Reporting and business management software; ERP systems (e.g. SAP or Oracle)
• Computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS)
• Weighbridge, waste tracking and production data systems
• SCADA / DCS and plant control room interfaces; familiarity with CEMS data handling and reporting
• Root cause analysis and continuous improvement tools

If you think you have what it takes to make the world a cleaner place, if you can see value where others see waste and if you aren’t afraid of a challenge, why not start your journey with us today.

Averda welcomes candidates from all backgrounds, actively promotes diversity in the workforce, and is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives.

ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED*