COO / Head of Operations

About the role

Careers International is recruiting a COO / Head of Operations for a full-time position in Dubai within the FMCG / foods and beverages sector. The role covers strategic operational leadership of a water bottling plant, its supply chain and distribution across the UAE, and the financial and people management needed to run the operation.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute operational strategies aligned with the Group's vision and growth targets, translating business goals into operational plans for manufacturing, trading and distribution, and tracking KPIs for production, logistics, sales distribution and customer service.
• Oversee the water bottling plant: production planning to meet demand while controlling costs, quality standards under UAE regulations (ESMA, Dubai Municipality), preventive maintenance, and lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Manage the distribution network across the UAE (van sales, wholesale delivery, key accounts), procurement of raw materials, packaging and trading goods, warehouse and inventory control, and fleet and last-mile delivery.
• Prepare and manage operational budgets, cost controls and profitability targets, review performance regularly, and negotiate vendor and service provider contracts.
• Ensure compliance with UAE health, safety, environmental and food safety regulations (HACCP, ISO, ESMA) and lead quality control across manufacturing and distribution.
• Build and lead a high-performing operations team, implement training and development programmes, and foster a culture of accountability, safety and continuous improvement.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Supply Chain or a related field (Master's preferred).
• Minimum 10-15 years' experience in FMCG operations, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role in the UAE or GCC.
• Proven track record in water manufacturing operations and product distribution networks.
• Strong knowledge of UAE regulations for food and beverage manufacturing and trading.
• Fluency in English; Arabic is an advantage.

Required skills

• Supply chain optimization, cost control and team leadership.
• Negotiation, analytical and decision-making skills.
• Process improvement mindset (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen).
• Financial acumen and P&L responsibility.