Plant Manager – Water Desalination

Role overview

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and accountability for plant operations and performance; ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operations.
• Lead multidisciplinary Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Technical Support teams; oversee RO, MSF, and MED systems.
• Monitor plant availability, energy efficiency, production, quality, and OPEX KPIs.
• Develop operational strategies, maintenance plans, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Manage plant assets, resources, operational budgets, and lifecycle performance; ensure QHSE, regulatory, and international standards compliance.
• Lead operational risk management, emergency response, and business continuity.
• Oversee commissioning, start-up, performance testing, and commercial operation of new facilities.
• Manage relationships with owners, consultants, authorities, contractors, and stakeholders; drive operational excellence and cost optimization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or electrical engineering.
• 12+ years of experience in water desalination or water treatment operations.
• Proven Plant Manager or senior operations leadership experience within large-scale desalination plants.
• Experience managing plants with 500,000+ m³/day capacity is highly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of RO, MSF, and MED technologies; Operations, Maintenance, Asset Management, and O&M contracts.
• Strong knowledge of QHSE and international standards; proficiency in SCADA, DCS, or CMMS systems.
• Excellent leadership, decision-making, stakeholder management, and negotiation skills.

Workplace and employment

• On-site, full-time position in Abu Dhabi, UAE.