Operations Manager | KSA Technical Recruitment Campaign

Acwa China; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 350,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

ACWA Operations is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to lead daily plant operations and laboratory activities across power generation and water desalination projects in Saudi Arabia. You will ensure safe, reliable, and efficient production while achieving targets and maintaining contractual compliance.

The role requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and hands-on troubleshooting, with oversight of production planning, maintenance coordination, and budget management to optimize

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Experience in power generation and desalination plant operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily plant operations, production planning, and shift scheduling to meet targets and maximize efficiency.
• Develop and implement departmental strategies and performance improvement initiatives aligned with plant objectives.
• Monitor performance, troubleshoot issues, and recommend solutions to improve reliability and efficiency.
• Coordinate with Maintenance on preventive/corrective maintenance, outages, and start-ups.
• Oversee chemistry, testing, production parameters, and quality to ensure compliance.
• Manage budgets, costs, contractor performance, and inventory for cost-effective operations.
• Ensure HSE compliance, emergency procedures, IMS, and policies.
• Lead and develop teams and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Power plant operations

Production planning

Shift operations

Troubleshooting

Contractual obligations

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

Operations Manager

KSA Technical Recruitment Campaign 2026

Location: Saudi Arabia

Function: Operations

Technologies: RO Desalination | CCGT Power Generation | Solar PV

Job Summary

ACWA Operations is seeking experienced Operations Managers for upcoming opportunities across power generation and water desalination plants in Saudi Arabia. The role is responsible for leading plant operations and laboratory activities to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient production while achieving operational targets, maintaining contractual compliance, and optimizing plant performance.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Lead daily plant operations, production planning, and shift scheduling to achieve operational targets and maximize plant efficiency.
• Develop and implement departmental strategies, operational plans, and performance improvement initiatives aligned with plant objectives.
• Monitor plant performance, troubleshoot critical operational issues, and recommend solutions to improve equipment reliability and production efficiency.
• Coordinate with Maintenance teams on preventive and corrective maintenance, planned outages, shutdowns, and plant start-up activities.
• Oversee plant chemistry, laboratory testing, production parameters, and quality standards to ensure regulatory and operational compliance.
• Manage departmental budgets, operating costs, contractor performance, and inventory requirements to ensure cost-effective operations.
• Ensure compliance with HSE requirements, emergency response procedures, Integrated Management System (IMS), and operational policies.
• Lead and develop operations teams, manage performance, and maintain effective relationships with internal departments, contractors, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders.

Job Specifications

Minimum Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering.

Minimum Experience

• Minimum 12–15 years of experience in progressively complex production plants, with strong experience in the power generation and water desalination sector.

Required Skills

• Strong technical knowledge of power generation and water desalination plant operations.
• Experience in production planning, shift operations, plant performance monitoring, and operational troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of plant maintenance coordination, outage management, and emergency response.
• Understanding of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements, contractual obligations, and operational performance requirements.
• Strong leadership, planning, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, coaching, and team development skills.

Work Conditions

• Plant-based position in Saudi Arabia.
• Availability to support critical operations, planned outages, and emergency situations as required.

We welcome experienced professionals with relevant expertise in power generation and water desalination operations.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by our Talent Acquisition team with further information about the recruitment process.

Applications will be reviewed against relevant recruitment requirements. Registration does not guarantee an invitation, interview, or employment offer.