Operations Manager- Fitout

Job Description – Operations Manager

Industry: Turnkey Interior Fit-Out

Location: UAE

Department: Operations

Reporting to: CEO / Managing Director

1. Job Purpose

The Operations Manager will be responsible for overseeing and managing the overall operations of the turnkey interior fit-out business, ensuring that all projects are executed efficiently, profitably, safely, and within the agreed timelines.

The role involves coordinating across project management, design, procurement, estimation, joinery production, logistics, and site execution teams to ensure seamless project delivery from award to final handover.

The ideal candidate must have strong operational leadership, commercial awareness, technical knowledge of interior fit-out works, and the ability to drive project teams towards measurable performance targets.

1. Key Responsibilities

A. Operations & Project Management

• Oversee the overall execution of all ongoing fit-out projects, from project initiation to final handover.
• Ensure projects are delivered within approved budgets, timelines, quality standards, and contractual requirements.
• Monitor project progress against approved baseline programmes and identify potential delays.
• Ensure Project Managers prepare and regularly update project schedules, procurement schedules, manpower plans, and execution strategies.
• Establish clear project deliverables, responsibilities, and accountability for all Project Managers.
• Conduct regular project review meetings to evaluate progress, resolve operational challenges, and implement corrective measures.
• Ensure timely coordination between site teams, design, procurement, estimation, joinery, and subcontractors.
• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement solutions to improve project delivery.

B. Project Performance & Billing

• Monitor project progress and ensure that physical progress is aligned with planned billing milestones.
• Coordinate with Project Managers and the Commercial/Accounts team to ensure timely preparation and submission of interim payment applications.
• Ensure that completed works are measured, documented, and submitted for client certification without delay.
• Monitor project cash flow, work completion percentages, outstanding variations, and pending certifications.
• Ensure Project Managers take ownership of project progress and do not allow delays to affect company revenue.
• Identify projects falling behind schedule and implement recovery plans.
• Monitor project profitability and take corrective action wherever cost overruns are identified.

C. Resource & Manpower Management

• Plan and allocate manpower, equipment, vehicles, and other resources across projects.
• Ensure optimum utilization of available manpower and avoid unnecessary idle time.
• Coordinate with HR for manpower requirements, recruitment, mobilization, and workforce planning.
• Ensure Project Managers maintain proper site organization and workforce productivity.
• Monitor subcontractor performance and ensure timely deployment of resources.
• Resolve resource conflicts between projects and prioritize allocation based on business requirements.

D. Procurement & Supply Chain Coordination

• Coordinate with the procurement team to ensure timely sourcing and delivery of project materials.
• Review procurement schedules against project requirements.
• Ensure long-lead materials are identified and ordered well in advance.
• Monitor material delivery schedules and prevent delays caused by procurement or logistics issues.
• Coordinate with suppliers and subcontractors to ensure compliance with specifications, quality, and delivery commitments.
• Control unnecessary material wastage and ensure effective inventory management.

E. Joinery & Production Coordination

• Oversee coordination between project teams and the joinery production department.
• Ensure shop drawings, material approvals, cutting lists, and production requirements are finalized before manufacturing.
• Monitor joinery production schedules and ensure timely delivery to project sites.
• Ensure production capacity is planned according to project priorities.
• Address production delays, quality issues, and material shortages.
• Ensure proper coordination between factory and site installation teams.

F. Quality Control & Technical Compliance

• Ensure all projects comply with approved drawings, specifications, material submittals, and client requirements.
• Monitor workmanship and ensure quality standards are maintained across all projects.
• Ensure inspections are conducted at appropriate stages of execution.
• Minimize rework, material wastage, and client complaints.
• Ensure timely closure of snagging works and project handovers.
• Coordinate with consultants, clients, and authorities wherever required.

G. Health, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure strict implementation of company HSE policies across all project sites and production facilities.
• Ensure compliance with UAE labour laws, site safety regulations, and client-specific HSE requirements.
• Ensure subcontractors and employees follow approved safety procedures.
• Conduct periodic operational and safety inspections.
• Ensure incidents, near misses, and unsafe practices are reported and addressed promptly.

H. Client & Stakeholder Management

• Maintain effective coordination with clients, consultants, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Support Project Managers in resolving critical project issues and contractual disputes.
• Attend client meetings when required.
• Ensure timely communication of project updates, risks, and recovery plans.
• Maintain high levels of client satisfaction and support repeat business opportunities.

I. Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, guide, and monitor Project Managers and other operational personnel.
• Establish measurable KPIs and performance standards for all operational teams.
• Ensure clear reporting structures and accountability across departments.
• Conduct periodic performance reviews with Project Managers and department heads.
• Develop a proactive working culture focused on planning, execution, ownership, and timely delivery.
• Escalate critical operational and commercial matters to the CEO with recommendations and proposed solutions.

1. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

The Operations Manager will be evaluated based on the following:

KPI

Performance expectation

Project delivery

Completion within approved timelines

Project progress

Actual progress aligned with planned progress

Billing performance

Timely submission of interim payment applications

Project profitability

Projects delivered within approved budgets

Procurement

Materials available as per project schedules

Joinery production

Production and delivery within planned timelines

Resource utilization

Optimum manpower and equipment utilization

Quality

Minimum rework and snagging

HSE compliance

Zero tolerance for serious safety violations

Client satisfaction

Timely resolution of complaints and issues

Team performance

Accountability and productivity of Project Managers

1. Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Interior Design, or a related field.
• Minimum 8–12 years of experience in the UAE interior fit-out industry.
• At least 3–5 years in a senior operations or management position.
• Proven experience managing multiple turnkey fit-out projects simultaneously.
• Strong knowledge of civil, architectural, MEP, joinery, and finishing works.
• Experience in managing joinery production and subcontracting operations will be an advantage.
• Strong understanding of project costing, budgeting, billing, variations, and commercial management.
• Good knowledge of UAE construction practices, authority requirements, and HSE regulations.

1. Required Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent planning, coordination, and organizational skills.
• Commercial and financial awareness.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Strong problem-solving and crisis-management capabilities.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Ability to drive teams and enforce accountability.
• Proficiency in MS Office and project management software such as Primavera P6 or MS Project.

1. Key Expectations from the Role

The Operations Manager is expected to:

• Take complete ownership of the company's operational performance.
• Ensure Project Managers independently manage their projects without requiring constant intervention from senior management.
• Ensure project progress translates into measurable billing and revenue.
• Identify delays before they become critical and take corrective action proactively.
• Maintain coordination between all departments involved in project execution.
• Ensure the CEO is not required to intervene in routine project operations.
• Establish systems, processes, and reporting mechanisms that improve operational efficiency.
• Drive a performance-oriented culture where every department is accountable for its deliverables.

Pay: AED15,000.00 - AED20,000.00 per month

Application Question(s):

• Are you willing to work 6 days a week?
• Have you directly managed Project Managers, Site Engineers, Procurement and Joinery/Production teams?
• Have you managed multiple turnkey interior fit-out projects simultaneously?
• Do you have experience managing joinery production and coordinating factory operations with project sites?
• Are you experienced in project billing, interim payment applications, variations, cost control and cash flow monitoring?

Experience:

• Senior Operations Manager: 5 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person