Project Lead

Project Lead – New Factory Setup (Metal/Steel Manufacturing)Al Watania For Industries | Full-time | Saudi ArabiaAbout the Role:Al Watania For Industries is looking for an experienced Project Lead to own the end-to-end setup of a new manufacturing facility — from planning through construction, equipment installation, commissioning, and first production run. This is a greenfield project: you will be building a factory from the ground up, not managing an existing operation.This role is ideal for someone who has done this before in a metal or steel manufacturing environment and knows exactly what it takes to turn an empty site into a fully operating plant.Key Responsibilities:Lead the factory setup project across all phases: site readiness, civil works coordination, equipment procurement, installation, commissioning, and ramp-up to full production.Develop and manage the project plan, budget, and timeline, ensuring milestones are met and risks are proactively managed.Manage relationships with equipment vendors, EPC contractors, and government/regulatory bodies (municipality, civil defense, environmental permits, etc.).Build and lead the project team, including hiring and onboarding staff ahead of production start-up.Coordinate across procurement, engineering, quality, and operations to keep the project on schedule.Ensure the new facility meets all relevant safety, quality, and regulatory standards before handover to operations.Report progress and key decisions to executive leadership.Required Qualifications:Minimum 4+ years of hands-on experience setting up a factory or production facility from scratch — from site/groundwork through equipment installation, commissioning, and start of production.Prior experience specifically in metal or steel manufacturing is required.Proven experience managing project budgets, timelines, and vendor/contractor relationships for capital projects.Strong understanding of industrial equipment procurement, installation, and commissioning processes.Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, or related field).Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills; comfortable operating with significant ambiguity in a fast-moving, ground-up project environment.Fluent in Arabic and/or English.Preferred Qualifications:PMP or equivalent project management certification.Familiarity with Saudi regulatory and licensing requirements for industrial facilities.Experience in the metal packaging, steel processing, or related heavy manufacturing sectors.Location:Saudi Arabia (on-site during construction and commissioning phases).