Engineering Operations Manager

Operations Manager

Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia | Full-time

We are seeking an Engineering Operations Manager to take full ownership of project execution and maintenance delivery across a diverse portfolio of commercial, industrial, and residential facilities. This role oversees two Site Engineers, four Foremen, and a shared trade pool of 40 skilled tradesmen who flex between project work and maintenance based on daily demand.

The Engineering Operations Manager ensures fit-out and renovation projects are delivered on time and within budget, maintenance service levels are met across all facilities, and the workforce is effectively deployed. This is a hands-on, field-oriented leadership role requiring a civil engineering background, strong project management skills, and the ability to manage a diverse, multi-national blue-collar workforce.

Key Accountabilities

1. Project Delivery
2. Plan, execute, and deliver all fit-out, renovation, and construction projects. Prepare estimates and project plans covering schedule, resources, cost, and quality. Monitor progress and resolve delays, cost overruns, and quality issues in real time. Manage subcontractor procurement and supervision for specialized or heavy-equipment work.
3. Maintenance Operations
4. Oversee routine and emergency maintenance across all group facilities, ensuring response times and service levels are met. Establish and maintain preventive maintenance schedules. Ensure the dispatch desk is properly briefed to allocate tradesmen efficiently. Conduct periodic facility condition assessments and recommend actions.
5. Workforce Management
6. Manage the shared trade pool of 40 tradesmen, balancing allocation between projects and maintenance daily. Supervise two Site Engineers and four Foremen. Coordinate daily crew assignments with the dispatch desk. Monitor productivity, attendance, and overtime compliance. Identify skills gaps and recommend training or hiring.
7. Budget & Cost Control
8. Prepare project budgets and cost estimates. Track actual costs against budget throughout execution. Monitor materials consumption, wastage, and inventory. Review and approve purchase requests within delegated authority. Report monthly on costs, variances, and resource utilization.
9. Safety & Quality
10. Enforce site safety standards and regulatory compliance across all work sites. Conduct or coordinate site inspections for workmanship quality. Investigate safety incidents and implement corrective actions. Ensure project handovers include proper documentation and client sign-off.
11. Reporting & Coordination
12. Prepare and present weekly and monthly operations reports covering project status, maintenance metrics, workforce deployment, and cost performance. Coordinate with Engineering, Admin & Finance, and external stakeholders. Participate in client meetings and site walkthroughs.
13. Other
14. Perform any other duties reasonably required by the General Manager consistent with the scope of this role.

Competencies

Core:

▸ Project Management — Strong capability in planning, scheduling, and delivering fit-out, renovation, and maintenance projects on time and within budget

▸ Civil Engineering — Solid understanding of civil construction methods, materials, and site supervision

▸ Multi-Trade Operations — Experience managing electricians, plumbers, masons, carpenters, painters, HVAC technicians, and general labor

▸ Cost Control — Ability to prepare estimates, track budgets, and control project costs

▸ Maintenance Management — Understanding of preventive and reactive maintenance for commercial and industrial facilities

▸ Safety — Knowledge of construction site safety requirements and applicable Saudi regulations

Soft:

▸ Leadership — Proven ability to lead and motivate a large, multi-national blue-collar workforce in a field environment

▸ Communication — Clear communication with senior management, engineers, foremen, and tradesmen across language and cultural barriers

▸ Decision Making — Ability to make rapid, sound decisions when managing competing project and maintenance demands

▸ Organization — Strong planning and prioritization across multiple concurrent projects and maintenance programs

▸ Problem Solving — Practical, hands-on approach to resolving site issues, resource conflicts, and quality problems

Job Specifications

Industry: General Contracting / Facility Management / Maintenance Services

Experience:

▸ 8 to 12 years in construction, contracting, or facility management operations, with at least 3 years in a managerial or senior supervisory role

▸ Demonstrated experience managing multi-trade workforces (civil, MEP) on fit-out, renovation, or maintenance projects

▸ Proven track record in project delivery — on time, within budget, to quality standards

▸ Experience with subcontractor management, procurement coordination, and cost control

▸ GCC experience strongly preferred

Education:

▸ Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline

▸ PMP or equivalent project management certification is preferred

Languages:

▸ English — Advanced proficiency (required)

▸ Arabic — Strong advantage