Production Engineer

Reporting to the Factory Manager, the Production Engineer will lead and coordinate shift operations to deliver safe, efficient, and compliant production. The role oversees process performance, equipment reliability, planning, SAP manufacturing execution, cost control, and team development while driving Lean improvement and structured problem-solving. The position operates on a rotating three-shift schedule and may require work on public holidays or scheduled days off in line with business needs and applicable labor requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead core factory operating routines, including shift handovers, performance review meetings, and process confirmations, while monitoring KPIs for safety, food safety, quality, cost, customer service, and productivity.
• Direct shift production activities across assigned manufacturing areas, ensuring output targets, specifications, budgets, and delivery timelines are achieved.
• Analyze production flows, losses, bottlenecks, and downtime; apply Lean methods, root-cause analysis, and corrective and preventive actions to improve throughput, waste, quality, and reliability.
• Support production planning and scheduling, optimize raw materials, labor, equipment, and capacity, and adjust schedules for delays, disruptions, or resource shortages.
• Oversee SAP/ERP manufacturing execution and accurate transactions for inventory, consumption, semi-finished and finished goods, rework, and scrap; manage system exceptions and outages through timely escalation.
• Coordinate with Maintenance and Engineering to maximize equipment availability, troubleshoot failures, restore operations quickly, and execute preventive maintenance schedules.
• Work with Quality Control, Quality Assurance, and R&D to meet HACCP, GMP, ISO, SFDA, and internal standards; oversee sampling, identify deviations, and drive corrective action.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and workplace requirements; conduct audits, train employees on safe work and equipment handling, and coordinate emergency response when required.
• Monitor labor, raw material, waste, and operating costs; analyze performance data and identify opportunities for cost savings and budget adherence.
• Act as the first point of contact for shift-level production issues, escalating critical challenges promptly to the Factory Manager and other relevant stakeholders.
• Lead, coach, and develop the production team through clear goals, feedback, performance reviews, recognition, and timely action on performance gaps.
• Build an accountable, improvement-focused culture across employees, contractors, and flexible labor, coordinating manpower schedules, attendance, and disciplinary matters with HR.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Planning, Maintenance, Engineering, Supply Chain and Logistics, HR, Commercial, Quality, and Safety teams to achieve operational objectives.
• Exercise assigned decision authority on line stoppages arising from safety or quality non-compliance and on product changes caused by material or manpower constraints.
• Communicate production goals, expectations, and performance updates clearly to maintain team alignment, customer focus, and delivery discipline.

Competencies

• Strong understanding of production and operations management in FMCG or food manufacturing environments.
• Working knowledge of GMP, HACCP, ISO, SFDA requirements, and safety, health, and environmental practices.
• Proficiency in SAP or a comparable manufacturing ERP system, production data management, and standard computer applications.
• Practical capability in Lean manufacturing, root-cause analysis, continuous improvement, and problem-solving.
• Sound production planning, scheduling, work measurement, resource utilization, KPI management, cost control, and priority-setting skills.
• Ability to coordinate equipment troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and reliability improvement with technical teams.
• Demonstrated leadership, team-building, coaching, performance management, and development of direct reports.
• Customer focus, drive for results, accountability, business integrity, and confidence in operational decision-making.
• Excellent planning, organization, communication, interpersonal, negotiation, conflict-management, and motivational skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, strategies, and targets accurately and clearly.
• Knowledge of Saudi standards and Saudi Labor Law, plus Middle East and multicultural experience, is advantageous.

Desired Candidate Profile

Minimum 3 years in manufacturing or production, preferably within FMCG or food manufacturing

Education: Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline

Languages: Proficiency in English and Arabic

Eligibility: Saudi nationals only

Work Pattern: Rotating three-shift schedule within a 24/7 manufacturing environment