Project Lead – New Factory Setup (Metal/Steel Manufacturing)

About the role

Al Watania For Industries is seeking an experienced Project Lead to own the end‑to‑end setup of a brand‑new metal/steel manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia. This greenfield assignment involves turning an empty site into a fully operational factory, covering planning, construction, equipment installation, commissioning and the first production run.

Key responsibilities

• Lead all phases of the factory setup: site readiness, civil works, equipment procurement, installation, commissioning and ramp‑up to full production.
• Develop and control the project plan, budget and timeline, monitor milestones and manage risks.
• Manage relationships with equipment vendors, EPC contractors and government/regulatory authorities.
• Build and lead the project team, including hiring and onboarding staff ahead of start‑up.
• Coordinate with procurement, engineering, quality and operations to keep the project on schedule.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality and regulatory standards before hand‑over to operations.
• Report progress and key decisions to executive leadership.

Required profile

• Minimum 4 years of hands‑on experience setting up a factory or production facility from scratch.
• Direct experience in metal or steel manufacturing environments.
• Proven track record managing project budgets, timelines and vendor/contractor relationships for capital projects.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial or related Engineering.
• Fluent in Arabic and/or English.

Required skills

• Project Management (PMP or equivalent certification preferred).
• Equipment procurement, installation and commissioning.
• Budget and timeline control.
• Vendor and contractor management.