Industrial Support Manager

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION The Support Manager consolidates under a single leadership the technical know-how, information systems, supply chain, inventory and investment project functions of Metals, ensuring that the operating divisions receive consistent, timely and fact-based support. The position exists to guarantee that technical knowledge is captured, standardised and transferred across the organisation; that information systems and data integrity underpin management decisions; that materials, supplies and inventories are managed with the accuracy and discipline required by a non-ferrous manufacturing environment; and that investment projects are centrally structured, evaluated and followed through to completion. The role operates primarily on a project basis: each priority initiative is set up as a defined project with objectives, scope, resources, milestones and measurable results, coordinating the contribution of the different areas involved. Beyond the direct management of the functions listed above, the Support Manager acts as an integrating and impartial interface between the departments of Metals and, where relevant, its counterparts within the Electric Group, translating operational issues into structured analysis and actionable recommendations for Executive Management.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Know-How: Process Engineering, Materials and Continuous Improvement

Own the Company's technical standards for manufacturing processes, including operating parameters, process windows, capability studies and troubleshooting methodologies. Lead root-cause analysis of recurring process deviations, quality incidents and yield losses, ensuring corrective actions are verified and sustained. Manage the materials function: raw material and consumable specifications, technical qualification of suppliers, incoming acceptance criteria, alternative material evaluation and failure analysis. Direct the continuous improvement programme (Lean / Six Sigma / Kaizen), with measurable targets on OEE, scrap and yield, changeover time, energy consumption and cost per tonne. Build and maintain the Company's technical documentation and know-how repository, ensuring that best practices developed in one division are transferred and standardised across the others. Provide technical support to capital projects: specification review, technology benchmarking, commissioning support and post-investment performance verification.

Information Technology

Define and execute the IT roadmap in alignment with the Company's operational and commercial priorities. Ensure the reliability, availability and security of infrastructure, networks and business applications, including cybersecurity policy and business continuity planning. Act as the business owner of the ERP. Working hand in hand with the IT Analyst, define and maintain the fundamentals on which the system is built organisational structure, product and material coding, bills of materials, routings, costing model, stock movements and transaction logic ensuring at all times that the ERP reflects how the business actually operates rather than the reverse. Keep the ERP aligned with the evolution of the business: assess the impact of new products, processes, divisions, plants or commercial models on the system's design, and lead the corresponding configuration or development changes in a controlled and documented manner. Translate business requirements into functional specifications for the IT Analyst and external providers, validate the resulting solutions before deployment, and ensure user training and adoption. Own master data governance, process mapping, user discipline and the integrity of the data used for management reporting, guaranteeing a single, reliable source of information for decision-making. Drive digitalisation of shop-floor data capture, production reporting and management dashboards, reducing manual consolidation and reporting lead times. Manage IT budgets, service providers, licensing and service levels.

Supply Chain

Ensure continuity of supply of raw materials, consumables, spare parts and services at competitive total cost, in coordination with Procurement and Production Planning. Establish and monitor supplier performance in delivery, lead time, documentation and technical compliance, escalating deviations with supporting evidence. Oversee logistics, imports and customs coordination, ensuring compliance with local regulations and correct documentation flow. Support the sales and operations planning cycle, aligning demand forecasts, production capacity and material availability.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Materials, Metallurgical or Electrical Engineering. A postgraduate qualification in operations, supply chain or business administration is an advantage.

EXPERIENCE

Minimum 10 years in industrial manufacturing environments, of which at least 5 in a multi-departmental management role. Demonstrated experience in process engineering and structured problem-solving in a continuous or semi-continuous production environment; experience in non-ferrous metals, cable, wire or heavy process industry is strongly preferred. Proven track record in leading continuous improvement programmes with quantified results. Practical experience as a business owner or key user of an ERP in a manufacturing environment including data structures, costing models and change management capable of directing IT professionals without necessarily being an IT specialist. Solid command of supply chain and inventory management practices in an industrial setting. Demonstrated experience in leading industrial investment projects from justification through to commissioning and post-investment review. Experience working in multicultural organisations; GCC experience is an advantage.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Advanced analytical and problem-solving methodologies (8D, DMAIC, FMEA, Ishikawa, statistical process control). Strong data analysis and reporting capability; advanced Excel and business intelligence tools. Working knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 requirements. Sound understanding of cost structures, working capital and investment evaluation.

Desired Candidate Profile

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Materials, Metallurgical or Electrical Engineering. A postgraduate qualification in operations, supply chain or business administration is an advantage.

EXPERIENCE

Minimum 10 years in industrial manufacturing environments, of which at least 5 in a multi-departmental management role. Demonstrated experience in process engineering and structured problem-solving in a continuous or semi-continuous production environment; experience in non-ferrous metals, cable, wire or heavy process industry is strongly preferred. Proven track record in leading continuous improvement programmes with quantified results. Practical experience as a business owner or key user of an ERP in a manufacturing environment including data structures, costing models and change management capable of directing IT professionals without necessarily being an IT specialist. Solid command of supply chain and inventory management practices in an industrial setting. Demonstrated experience in leading industrial investment projects from justification through to commissioning and post-investment review. Experience working in multicultural organisations; GCC experience is an advantage.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Advanced analytical and problem-solving methodologies (8D, DMAIC, FMEA, Ishikawa, statistical process control). Strong data analysis and reporting capability; advanced Excel and business intelligence tools. Working knowledge of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 requirements. Sound understanding of cost structures, working capital and investment evaluation.

LANGUAGES

Arabic: native speaker essential. English: fluent, written and spoken essential, as it is the Company's working language for technical documentation, suppliers and Group reporting.

COMPETENCIES

• Analytical rigour dissects complex, ambiguous problems into verifiable elements and reaches conclusions supported by data rather than opinion.
• Cross-departmental mediation builds agreement between functions with divergent priorities, maintaining objectivity and credibility with all parties.
• Project leadership structures ambiguous objectives into managed projects and delivers them on scope, on time and on budget through teams he does not hierarchically control.
• Executive communication presents complex technical matters concisely and in decision-ready format.
• Ownership and follow-through drives issues to verified closure across organisational boundaries without relying on hierarchical authority.
• Discretion and integrity handles sensitive commercial, technical and organisational information with absolute confidentiality.
• Resilience and adaptability operates effectively under competing priorities and rapid change.
• People development builds technical capability in the teams under his responsibility and across the organisation.