Operation Director-Latest Industrial Jobs in Saudi 2025
Job Title: Operations Director – Industrial Catering
Location: Saudi Arabia
Contract Type: Permanent
Industry: Industrial Catering / Facilities Management
Subsector: Operations Management
Sector: Engineering & Manufacturing
Job Reference: JN-082025-6810406
Consultant: Théo Lambert
About the Company
The recruiting company is a top Saudi-based industrial catering and facilities management provider, known for providing large-scale, high-quality services in:
Business and corporate sectors
Industrial projects
Remote and labor-intensive operational locations (e.g., oil & gas, mining, infrastructure)
The firm maintains a leading position in the Kingdom’s market and is continuing to expand its operations to cover new customers and industries. Its emphasis on operational excellence, cost savings, and customer satisfaction has positioned it as a best-choice provider for high-volume, mission-critical environments.
Role Overview
As Operations Director – Industrial Catering, you will be responsible for the operational performance, financial results, team management, and strategic development of catering and associated FM services on a wide-ranging portfolio.
The position is end-to-end responsible for:
Managing large, widely spread teams
Ensuring service excellence in difficult, frequently remote conditions
Driving profitability and efficiency
Working with business development to capture new growth prospects
The winning candidate should prove to have both excellent strategic management and direct operation control skills, being able to make the division deliver on contractual commitments and uphold high standards in food quality, hygiene, personnel, and customer relations.
Key Responsibilities
- Operational Leadership & Service Delivery
Oversee and manage all catering operations on client premises to ensure quality, on-time delivery, and conformity.
Align output of operations with contractual terms, KPIs, and service-level agreements (SLAs).
Deploy and enforce quality control processes, particularly regarding food safety, hygiene, and nutritional quality.
Coordinate with functional departments (HR, Finance, Procurement, Quality) for smooth operational support.
It’s the synergetic ability between operations and support functions that is of prime importance in a logistically complex and labour-intensive industry like this.
- Financial & P&L Management
Full P&L ownership for the industrial catering division.
Deliver budgeted profitability through best-in-class management of food costs, labor costs, logistics and overheads.
Formulate annual financial plan and orchestrate all operational decisions through the lens of financial goals.
Address any variances quickly and implement cost-saving measures wherever there might be a requirement for it.
The position demands solid commercial sense, with the capability to weigh quality against efficiency, particularly when working at scale.
- Strategic Development & Growth
Guide scaling and business growth—both within current verticals and by way of entry into new industries (e.g., healthcare, education, government, military).
Decrease reliance on constrained clients by expanding the revenue stream and customer base.
Work with the business development team to create competitive technical and commercial bids.
Represent the firm at industry conferences, developing partnerships and new business opportunities.
You will be a central figure in determining the direction of the firm’s growth, taking it from a reactive service company to a proactive, market-leading business unit.
- Client Management & Stakeholder Engagement
Foster close relationships with current customers through frequent formal and informal communication.
Proactively resolve client issues, contractual disagreements, and service matters without sacrificing profitability.
Track customer satisfaction, collect feedback, and apply insights to optimize service delivery models.
Work closely with clients to renew or upsell contracts on the basis of demonstrated performance.
This role requires great stakeholder management and negotiation abilities, as most contracts are high-value and long-term.
- Talent Management & Team Leadership
Develop and manage a large operations team, including department managers, project managers, and frontline employees, many of whom might be distributed across several remote locations.
Establish KPIs, performance targets, and succession plans for operational managers.
Foster an accountability culture, service excellence, and multi-skilling among the workforce.
Manage recruitment and retention strategies to minimize staff turnover, particularly for key positions in austere or remote environments.
Leadership credibility, motivation skills, and a strong understanding of workforce dynamics within KSA/GCC are critical.
- Regulatory Compliance & Safety-Latest Industrial Jobs in Saudi 2025
Ensure all operations adhere to local food hygiene, safety, and health standards (e.g., municipal regulation, SFDA).
Manage safety programs, training activities, and risk management strategies in all catering facilities.
Prepare the department for internal and external audits, such as ISO certifications, HSE inspections, and food safety audits.
As the catering industry is sensitive to public health, particularly at industrial levels, the Operations Director has to make compliance the central tenet of their leadership.
Candidate Profile
Experience Requirements
Minimum 10–15 years experience in industrial catering, hospitality, or facilities operations.
Minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership position, preferably Director, GM, or Head of Operations.
Established experience of multi-site, large-scale operations with high-volume food production.
Successfully managed client relationships, contract retention, and P&L ownership.
Experience in Saudi Arabia or GCC markets would be a significant advantage.
Core Skills & Competencies
Strategic Thinking: Capable of developing and executing long-term operating strategies.
Leadership: Distinguished ability to manage large multicultural teams.
Financial Acumen: Excellent understanding of budgeting, cost management, and revenue maximization.
Problem-Solving: Quick in resolving crises, service problems, or contractual conflicts.
Communication: Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and negotiation skills.
Process Excellence: Familiarity with Lean operations, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement principles.
What’s on Offer-Latest Industrial Jobs in Saudi 2025
Competitive, tax-free salary with benefits befitting a senior leadership position in the region.
Permanent executive-level job with impact on company strategy and expansion.
Chance to helm one of the largest industrial catering operations in Saudi Arabia.
Corporate culture based on collaboration with executive exposure and cross-functional impact.
Potential for professional development towards COO or regional leadership positions within the company or wider industry.
Strategic Significance of the Position
This is not a management role—the business-critical executive role is to transform and expand the core division of the business.
High-volume operational complexity, service excellence, and aligning the division for long-term competitive position in a highly regulated, price-sensitive market all need to be managed by the Operations Director.
As mega-projects in KSA expand their scale—NEOM, The Red Sea Project, and giga-industrial zones—world-class catering and facility services are in increasing demand. This position is at the heart of seizing that opportunity.
Conclusion
The Operations Director – Industrial Catering role is a high-risk leadership position in one of the most exciting industries in Saudi Arabia. With management of large teams, intricate logistics, and strategic customer relationships, the ideal candidate will lead operational excellence and business growth.
When you bring the proper mix of hands-on experience, executive-level leadership, and commercial acumen, this position provides the perfect vehicle for influence, impact, and career growth.
link
https://www.michaelpage.ae/job-detail/operations-director-industrial-catering/ref/jn-082025-681040
Latest Industrial Jobs in Saudi 2025
