Plant Manager

About This Role

Plant Manager, Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), Dubai, UAE

About the Company

We are helping our client, an international manufacturing company specializing in advanced material solutions for industrial applications, recruit a Plant Manager for its production facility in Dubai. The company operates globally and supports customers across multiple sectors, including packaging, automotive, construction, and consumer products.

The Dubai site plays an important role in the company’s regional growth strategy and is currently expanding its production capabilities and organizational structure as it enters its next phase of development.

About the Role

In this role, you will take responsibility for managing daily plant operations at a growing manufacturing site in Dubai.

The position involves leading a multidisciplinary team across production, quality, maintenance, warehouse, and supply chain functions while supporting the continued development of operational structures and performance standards.

You will play a key role in strengthening processes, improving efficiency, and supporting capacity expansion as the site scales its activities.

The role includes close collaboration with regional and international leadership and offers strong visibility within the wider organization.

Responsibilities:

• Own and manage daily plant operations, including production scheduling, resource planning, and team supervision
• Lead a multinational team of approximately 25 employees across production, quality, maintenance, warehouse, and support functions
• Drive operational KPIs, including OEE, cycle times, downtime, and cost efficiency targets
• Develop and implement standardized processes to reduce waste, improve throughput, and maintain consistent product quality
• Oversee the onboarding of a second production line and support broader plant expansion
• Provide hands-on leadership on the production floor, with the ability to troubleshoot machinery and operational issues directly
• Develop the team through training, mentorship, and structured performance management
• Ensure full compliance with safety regulations, quality standards, and relevant local and international requirements
• Oversee audits, inspections, and risk assessments
• Manage production reporting and ensure effective use of ERP systems for planning, inventory control, and process tracking
• Collaborate with supply chain, customer service, technical, and quality teams to ensure smooth end-to-end operations

Requirements:

• MUST: 5+ years of experience managing plant operations, manufacturing, or production at a senior leadership level
• MUST: Experience in a manufacturing environment, with a background in plastics, masterbatch, polymer compounding, or a closely related mixing/blending industry.
• MUST: Demonstrated experience managing and developing multinational teams of 15 or more people
• MUST: Hands-on knowledge of production processes with the ability to engage directly on the floor, not just at a management level.
• MUST: Fluent English; Arabic language skills are an advantage
• Experience working with ERP systems, preferably SAP, in a production planning and inventory context.
• Proven track record of implementing or improving operational processes, KPIs, and continuous improvement practices.
• Engineering degree, preferably in Mechanical or Polymer Engineering.
• Based in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, UAE.

What the Company Offers :

• The company offers a competitive compensation package including a base salary, housing allowance, health insurance, and travel benefits in line with senior management standards in the UAE market.
• This is a high-visibility role within an international group, offering genuine scope to shape and scale a growing operation.
• The successful candidate will have direct access to senior group leadership and a clear trajectory for expanded responsibility as the Dubai site continues to grow.
• The role is based on-site in Jebel Ali Freezone, Dubai.