Principal Specialist Operations - Aluminium Recycling

About the role

MECS is establishing a greenfield aluminium recycling facility in Saudi Arabia and seeks a Principal Specialist Operations to lead the technical side of the plant. The role will drive commissioning, ramp‑up and continuous improvement of the entire recycling process, ensuring high metal recovery, product quality and energy efficiency.

Key responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across scrap receiving, melting, alloying, refining, casting and finished‑product handling.
• Support operational readiness, commissioning, startup and plant ramp‑up, establishing procedures and best practices.
• Optimize production performance by increasing throughput, reducing melt losses and improving energy efficiency.
• Monitor KPIs, troubleshoot process issues, implement corrective actions and lead continuous‑improvement projects.
• Collaborate with Maintenance, Metallurgy and Technical teams to enhance reliability, safety and overall performance.
• Coach and mentor operational staff, transferring technical knowledge and fostering a safety‑first culture.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical, Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial Engineering or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 12+ years of industrial manufacturing experience, including at least 7 years in aluminium recycling operations.
• Proven experience in secondary aluminium melting and casting, preferably with startup or commissioning exposure.
• Fluent English communication skills.

Required skills

• Secondary aluminium melting
• Aluminium casting
• Furnace operations
• Process optimization
• Continuous improvement methodologies