Vice President,Operations

Sapphire (SILZ) LLC; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 500,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

Sapphire (SILZ) LLC in Riyadh leads manufacturing for advanced industrial robots and automation in the Kingdom. The Vice President, Operations will oversee integrated operations—manufacturing, maintenance, quality, supply chain and logistics—driving readiness, ramp-up and sustained production.

The role requires deep manufacturing experience, leadership of multi-disciplinary teams and a strong focus on safety and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of relevant manufacturing and operations experience.
• At least 5 years in senior leadership roles with multi-functional teams.
• Strong exposure to automation and manufacturing excellence.
• Experience with greenfield manufacturing, readiness, ramp-up and handover.
• Knowledge of Lean, problem-solving and continuous improvement methods.

Responsibilities

• Lead integrated Operations across manufacturing, maintenance, quality, supply chain and logistics.
• Drive transition from project readiness to commercial production and ramp-up.
• Establish manufacturing performance metrics with clear KPIs and reporting.
• Develop and improve the Operations management system (policies, SOPs, controls).
• Build asset reliability through preventive/predictive maintenance and lifecycle planning.
• Oversee production planning, inventory, warehousing and logistics.
• Foster safety, quality, delivery and cost discipline with strong governance.
• Champion ERP, MES, WMS, QMS and CMMS adoption and data integrity.
• Scale the organization through manpower planning, recruitment and training.
• Ensure compliance with contractual, regulatory and governance requirements.
• Provide executive reporting to the CEO and manage OPEX/CAPEX responsibly.
• Collaborate with partners, suppliers and stakeholders for execution.

Skills

Strategic thinking

People leadership

Stakeholder management

Operational excellence

Safety & quality focus

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechatronics, Electrical, Electronics, Automation, Control Engineering, or another relevant engineering discipline

Master’s degree in Engineering Management, Operations, Supply Chain or an MBA is an advantage

Tools

ERP

MES

WMS

QMS

CMMS

Job description

Sapphire is a joint venture based in the Special Integrated Logistics Zone (SILZ) in Riyadh, focused on manufacturing advanced industrial robots and supporting the next generation of automation and smart manufacturing in the Kingdom.

Role Summary

The Vice President, Operations will lead Sapphire’s integrated section across Operations, Technical Support & Maintenance, Quality, Supply Chain and Logistics. The role will be instrumental in transitioning Sapphire from project completion and operational readiness into commercial production, controlled ramp-up and sustained manufacturing operations. The Vice President will be accountable for building a safe, reliable, efficient and scalable operating environment while developing the organization, systems, capabilities and operational disciplines required for long-term manufacturing excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the integrated Operations, covering manufacturing operations, technical support and maintenance, quality, supply chain, warehousing and logistics.
• Drive the transition from project completion and operational readiness to commercial production, including operational handover, production-line readiness, commissioning interfaces, testing, pilot production, process validation and controlled ramp-up.
• Establish and manage manufacturing performance across safety, quality, delivery, productivity, cost, equipment reliability and operational efficiency, supported by clear KPIs and performance-management routines.
• Develop and continuously improve the Operations management system, including policies, procedures, SOPs, work instructions, quality controls, maintenance practices, operating routines and change-control processes.
• Establish robust asset reliability and maintenance capabilities, including preventive and predictive maintenance, critical spare-parts planning, OEM/service-provider support and equipment lifecycle management.
• Lead production planning, materials and inventory management, warehousing, logistics and supply-chain execution to support production requirements and reliable customer delivery.
• Establish strong quality-management and operational-excellence practices, including product and process quality, testing, root-cause analysis, corrective actions, Lean principles and continuous improvement.
• Lead Operations functional readiness and adoption of ERP, MES, WMS, QMS, CMMS and other digital manufacturing tools, ensuring effective business processes, data quality, transactional discipline and management reporting.
• Build the Operations organization and workforce through effective manpower planning, recruitment, onboarding, technical training, competency development, qualification and knowledge transfer, with particular focus on building sustainable manufacturing capability.
• Ensure Operations fulfills applicable contractual, governance, regulatory and compliance obligations, including requirements related to production, equipment and product testing, materials and inventory, maintenance, training, documentation and delivery readiness.
• Develop and execute Operations strategic initiatives, functional objectives and KPIs, conduct structured performance reviews, manage operational risks and provide clear executive reporting to the CEO.
• Manage Operations OPEX and CAPEX, including annual planning, forecasting, cost control, resource optimization and identification of sustainable efficiency opportunities without compromising safety, quality or operational reliability.
• Own operational safety performance and ensure safe manufacturing, maintenance, warehouse and logistics activities in close coordination with EHSS and other relevant functions.
• Work closely with the CEO and cross-functional leadership, as well as shareholders, technical partners, OEMs, suppliers and other key stakeholders, to resolve dependencies and enable successful operational execution.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing, Mechatronics, Electrical, Electronics, Automation, Control Engineering, or another relevant engineering discipline.
• Master’s degree in Engineering Management, Operations, Supply Chain or an MBA is an advantage.
• Minimum 15 years of relevant manufacturing and operations experience, including at least 5 years in senior leadership roles with responsibility for multi-functional operational teams.
• Strong experience in manufacturing excellence, with particular exposure to automation. Focused experience in discrete manufacturing—ideally within industrial automation, electronics, advanced equipment, automotive, or another high-technology manufacturing environment is a major advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in greenfield manufacturing, operational readiness, production-line commissioning, facility or equipment handover, start-up or production ramp-up.
• Strong working knowledge across manufacturing, maintenance and asset reliability, quality, supply chain, warehousing and operational excellence.
• Demonstrated ability to build and scale organizations, operating processes and workforce capabilities in a fast-paced or start-up environment.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, with experience managing OPEX, CAPEX, budgets, forecasts and operational cost performance.
• Experience with ERP and digital manufacturing systems, such as MES, WMS, QMS and CMMS.
• Knowledge of Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement and structured problem-solving methodologies; relevant professional certifications are an advantage.

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking combined with hands-on operational leadership
• Manufacturing start-up, scale-up and transformation capability
• Strong execution discipline and results orientation
• Operational problem-solving and sound decision-making
• Strong people leadership, coaching and capability development
• Effective stakeholder management in complex and multicultural environments
• Commercial and financial awareness
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication
• High adaptability and resilience in dynamic environments
• Uncompromising commitment to safety, quality, reliability and operational excellence