Solid Waste and Sewage Manager

Acwa; Umluj; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Acwa Operations in Saudi Arabia seeks an experienced Operations & Maintenance leader to oversee solid waste management and sewage treatment assets, ensuring safe, reliable, and environmentally compliant performance across the facility lifecycle.

You will lead O&M staff and contractors, develop preventive maintenance programs, manage budgets and KPIs, ensure regulatory compliance, and promote a strong safety culture through training and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental/civil/mechanical engineering or related field.
• 10+ years in waste management and sewage treatment operations.
• Minimum 5 years in a managerial or supervisory role.
• Experience in utilities, industrial plants, municipalities, or large facilities.
• Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes and environmental compliance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of solid waste collection, segregation, storage, transport and disposal.
• Manage sewage treatment plant operations and treatment processes.
• Monitor plant performance and ensure discharge standards compliance.
• Develop preventive and corrective maintenance plans for waste and sewage systems.
• Coordinate shutdowns, emergency repairs, and system upgrades.
• Lead regulatory reporting, budget control, and cost optimization.
• Enforce HSE procedures and promote a strong safety culture.
• Lead O&M staff and contractors; conduct training and competency development.

Skills

Waste management

Sewage treatment

Operations management

Regulatory compliance

Environmental health & safety

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Engineering

Civil Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Job description

At Acwa Operations, we make essential services dependable and efficient for the millions of people who rely on them every day. Formerly NOMAC (The First National Operations & Maintenance Company), we are the operations and maintenance arm of Acwa, focused on keeping power generation and water desalination assets running safely, reliably and cost-effectively across their full lifecycle. Since 2005, we have partnered with clients across the Middle East, Africa and Asia to support complex infrastructure that powers communities and sustains economies.

The Red Sea Utilities Multi-Utilities Project is a landmark greenfield initiative developed by ACWA Power in partnership with Red Sea Global, supporting Saudi Arabia’s premier tourism destination along the Red Sea coast. Under a 25-year Utilities Concession Agreement, ACWA Power is responsible for the development, construction, operation, and eventual transfer of a fully integrated, off-grid utilities infrastructure. The project includes a 340 MWac solar PV plant combined with one of the world’s largest captive-scale battery energy storage systems (1,000–1,200 MWh), enabling 24/7 clean energy supply. In addition to renewable power, the scope covers seawater desalination (up to 32,500 m³/day), wetlands-based sewage treatment (16,000 m³/day), district cooling (32,500 RT), and zero-landfill waste management (~11,775 t/year). With financial close reached in early 2022, backed by international and local lenders and supported by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the project represents a pioneering model of sustainable infrastructure aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the Red Sea destination masterplan.

REPORTS TO:

JOB PURPOSE:

To manage and oversee the operations and maintenance of solid waste management and sewage treatment systems within the facility/plant. The role ensures safe, efficient, and environmentally compliant handling, treatment, and disposal of solid waste and wastewater in line with regulatory requirements and company standards.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1. Operations Management

• Oversee daily operations of solid waste collection, segregation, storage, transportation, and disposal.
• Manage sewage treatment plant (STP) operations including biological, chemical, and mechanical processes.
• Ensure uninterrupted operation of pumps, aeration systems, clarifiers, sludge handling, and treatment units.
• Monitor plant performance parameters (BOD, COD, TSS, pH, etc.) and ensure compliance with discharge standards.
• Optimize waste handling and sewage treatment processes to improve efficiency and reduce operational cost.

2. Maintenance Oversight

• Develop and implement preventive and corrective maintenance plans for waste and sewage systems.
• Ensure reliability of mechanical, electrical, and control components.
• Coordinate shutdowns, emergency repairs, and system upgrades.
• Manage spare parts and inventory control.

3. Environmental & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with local environmental regulations and discharge permits.
• Maintain environmental documentation, reporting, and audit records.
• Coordinate with regulatory authorities during inspections.
• Implement environmental sustainability initiatives (recycling, waste reduction, sludge reuse).

4. Health, Safety & Risk Management

• Ensure safe handling of hazardous and non-hazardous waste.
• Enforce HSE procedures and safe work practices.
• Conduct risk assessments and emergency response planning.
• Promote a strong safety culture within the team.

5. Team & Contractor Management

• Lead O&M staff including supervisors, operators, and technicians.
• Manage waste disposal contractors and third-party service providers.
• Conduct training programs and competency development for the team.
• Prepare manpower planning and shift schedules.

6. Reporting & Budget Control

• Prepare operational reports, KPIs, and performance analysis.
• Manage O&M budgets, cost control, and optimization initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction and operational improvement.

REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in waste management and sewage treatment operations.
• Minimum 5 years in a managerial or supervisory role.
• Experience in utilities, industrial plants, municipalities, or large facilities.
• Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes (activated sludge, MBR, SBR, etc.).
• Familiarity with environmental compliance standards.