Chief Operating Officer (COO) - Water treatment industry

Rgheeb is partnering with a leading company in the water solutions and desalination sector to identify a dynamic and experienced Chief Operating Officer (COO) to join their executive leadership team. In this critical role, you will oversee the company’s end-to-end operations across manufacturing, water treatment solutions, and operations & maintenance (O&M) activities. You will be responsible for driving operational excellence, optimizing processes, and leading performance improvement initiatives across all business units. Working closely with the CEO and executive team, you will play a key role in shaping and executing the company’s strategic direction, enhancing operational efficiency, strengthening market position, and ensuring sustainable financial performance. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in the water treatment, desalination, or industrial utilities sector, with proven experience in managing complex operations, leading multidisciplinary teams, and delivering results in a highly technical and regulated environment. Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Market Growth • Visionary Planning: Design and implement a comprehensive multi-year corporate strategy that leverages Saudi Arabia’s growing water security needs and incentives for localized manufacturing. • Market Expansion: Develop and secure valuable partnerships within the Municipal (NWC/SWCC), Industrial (Aramco/Ma’aden), and Commercial sectors. • Financial Stewardship: Take full responsibility for P&L, driving sustainable revenue growth, enhancing Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA), and managing capital expenditures (CAPEX) for facility improvements. Manufacturing & Engineering Oversight • Industrial Production: Manage the complete fabrication and assembly processes for advanced desalination and treatment technologies, including Reverse Osmosis (RO), Multi-Effect Distillation (MED), Multi-Stage Flash (MSF), and Sewage Treatment Plants (STP). • Specialty Chemicals Division: Lead the manufacturing and distribution of specialized water treatment chemicals, optimizing supply chains for raw materials and ensuring the effectiveness of formulations such as antiscalants, biocides, and coagulants. • R&D & Innovation: Promote the adoption of sustainable technologies, including solar-powered desalination and high-efficiency membrane systems, to sustain a competitive technological advantage. . Operations & Maintenance (O&M) • Service Excellence: Ensure all commissioned plants consistently meet or surpass contractual Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to water quality, uptime, and energy efficiency. • Lifecycle Management: Implement advanced asset management and preventive maintenance programs to maximize infrastructure lifespan and reduce operational risks. • Localization (Saudization): Lead "Local Content" initiatives to ensure the organization complies with or exceeds In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) and National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) standards through workforce development and local procurement. Compliance, HSE & Quality • Regulatory Alignment: Act as the ultimate authority on compliance with the National Center for Environmental Compliance (NCEC) and other Saudi regulatory requirements. • Safety Culture: Foster a "Zero Harm" mindset by enforcing stringent Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) protocols across all plant locations and chemical laboratories. • Quality Standards: Uphold the highest standards of ISO certification and international engineering quality for all manufactured products and chemical outputs. Stakeholder & Relationship Management • Executive Liaison: Serve as the key point of contact for government agencies, private developers, and major industrial partners. • Strategic Partnerships: Negotiate and oversee global collaborations with equipment vendors and chemical suppliers to secure advantageous trading terms and exclusive distribution agreements. • Talent Leadership: Manage a diverse team of engineers and professionals, cultivating a high-performance culture grounded in technical expertise and accountability.