Manufacturing Plant Manager – Production & Operations

Location: Dubai, UAE
Employment Type: Full-Time
Career Level: Senior Management
Experience Required: 10–15 Years
Salary Range: USD $4,500 – $7,000 per month

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and hands-on Manufacturing Plant Manager to lead and oversee all production, operations, and administrative functions of a large manufacturing facility in Dubai. This senior leadership role is responsible for driving operational excellence, production efficiency, cost optimization, quality compliance, safety performance, and effective workforce management while ensuring alignment with overall business objectives.

The Plant Manager will have full accountability for plant performance, including output, cost, quality, delivery, safety, and people development. You will lead cross-functional teams across production, maintenance, quality, logistics, and administration to ensure smooth plant operations and continuous improvement in performance.

The ideal candidate will bring deep manufacturing process knowledge, strong leadership capabilities, and proven experience managing large teams in high-volume or complex production environments.

Key Responsibilities

Overall Plant Operations Management

• Lead and oversee all plant operations, including production, maintenance, quality, logistics, and support functions
• Ensure smooth day-to-day plant operations while meeting production, delivery, and cost targets
• Establish clear operational priorities and ensure effective execution across departments
• Maintain high standards of discipline, safety, and operational control

Production Planning & Execution

• Develop and implement production plans aligned with sales forecasts and customer delivery requirements
• Ensure optimal utilization of plant capacity, manpower, and equipment
• Monitor production output, efficiency, and throughput across all production lines
• Address operational bottlenecks and constraints to ensure uninterrupted production

Quality, Safety & Environmental Compliance

• Ensure compliance with quality standards, customer specifications, and regulatory requirements
• Enforce strict adherence to safety regulations, plant safety rules, and environmental guidelines
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure zero-harm objectives
• Support audits, inspections, and corrective actions related to quality, safety, and environment

Cost Control & Financial Performance

• Develop and manage plant budgets, operating costs, and capital expenditure
• Monitor plant cost performance and identify opportunities for cost reduction
• Drive productivity improvement initiatives to improve margins and profitability
• Ensure effective cost control without compromising quality or safety

Leadership & Workforce Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop department heads, supervisors, and plant leadership teams
• Build a high-performance culture focused on accountability, teamwork, and results
• Ensure effective manpower planning, shift management, and workforce productivity
• Support talent development, succession planning, and employee engagement initiatives

Maintenance & Equipment Reliability

• Ensure effective preventive and predictive maintenance programs are in place
• Monitor equipment reliability, uptime, and maintenance performance
• Coordinate closely with maintenance teams to minimize breakdowns and downtime
• Support equipment upgrades, modernization, and capacity expansion initiatives

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, and best manufacturing practices
• Monitor and improve plant KPIs such as OEE, yield, downtime, scrap, and rework
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and problem-solving across the plant
• Implement standardization, automation, and process optimization initiatives

Supply Chain & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Coordinate with supply chain, procurement, and logistics teams to ensure material availability
• Work closely with sales and planning teams to align production with customer demand
• Support new product introductions (NPI) and process changes
• Ensure smooth coordination between plant operations and corporate functions

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Monitor plant performance against agreed KPIs and targets
• Prepare detailed operational, financial, and performance reports for senior management
• Analyze trends and recommend improvement actions
• Present plant performance, risks, and improvement plans to leadership

Compliance, Governance & Administration

• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and governance standards
• Maintain accurate operational records and documentation
• Support audits, compliance reviews, and management inspections
• Ensure effective administrative and support systems within the plant

Qualifications & Educational Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related discipline
• Advanced training or certification in operations management or continuous improvement is an advantage
• Strong understanding of manufacturing systems, production planning, and plant operations

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 10 years of experience in manufacturing operations, with at least several years in a plant or factory leadership role
• Proven experience managing large manufacturing teams and multi-department operations
• Strong exposure to high-volume, continuous, or batch manufacturing environments
• Experience driving operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives
• Experience working with plant KPIs, budgets, and performance management

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership, decision-making, and people management skills
• Deep knowledge of manufacturing processes and plant operations
• Excellent planning, analytical, and problem-solving abilities
• Strong financial and cost-control mindset
• Ability to manage complex operations and multiple priorities
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• High focus on safety, quality, and operational discipline

Benefits & Compensation

• Competitive salary package aligned with market standards
• Performance-based incentives linked to plant and business results
• Comprehensive medical insurance coverage
• Paid annual leave as per UAE labor law
• Long-term career growth opportunities within a stable organization
• Opportunity to lead a large manufacturing operation and drive strategic impact

Why Join Us

This role offers a senior leadership opportunity to take full ownership of a large manufacturing facility. As Manufacturing Plant Manager, you will play a critical role in driving operational excellence, developing high-performing teams, and contributing directly to business growth and long-term success.