General Manager

Confidential Company

We are seeking an experienced General Manager to lead and scale a bottled water manufacturing business, with core expertise in 5-gallon water bottles and PET bottled water. The GM will be responsible for end-to-end operations, including production, sales, distribution, compliance, cost control, and business growth. Key Responsibilities: Operations & Manufacturing Oversee daily plant operations for 5-gallon water bottles and PET bottling lines. Ensure optimal production efficiency, minimal wastage, and consistent product quality. Manage plant maintenance, machinery uptime, and capacity planning. Implement lean manufacturing and cost-optimization initiatives. Quality, Compliance & Safety Ensure compliance with local and international standards (ESMA, Dubai Municipality, HACCP, ISO, etc.). Maintain strict water quality, hygiene, and food safety protocols. Lead audits, certifications, and regulatory inspections. Sales, Distribution & Market Expansion Develop and execute sales and distribution strategies, especially for: Corporate & residential 5-gallon accounts Retail and wholesale PET water sales Expand dealer networks, bulk contracts, and institutional clients. Drive market share growth and brand positioning. Financial & Commercial Management Own full P&L responsibility. Prepare budgets, control operating costs, and improve margins. Negotiate with suppliers, logistics partners, and distributors. Team Leadership & HR Lead and manage production, sales, logistics, QA, and admin teams. Build high-performing teams and establish KPIs. Ensure workforce productivity, discipline, and compliance. Strategy & Business Growth Identify new product opportunities (new bottle sizes, private label, value-added water). Support expansion plans, new plants, or capacity upgrades. Report regularly to the Board on performance and growth metrics. Key Requirements: Experience: 10–15+ years of experience in the bottled water industry. Mandatory hands-on experience with: 5-gallon water bottle operations PET bottling lines Proven background as General Manager / Plant Head / Operations Head. Experience in UAE / GCC bottled water market preferred. Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of: Water treatment & purification processes (RO, UV, Ozonation) 5-gallon washing, filling & capping systems PET blowing and bottling operations Knowledge of FMCG supply chain and last-mile delivery (especially 5-gallon distribution). Leadership & Skills: Strong commercial and operational mindset Excellent leadership, negotiation, and decision-making skills Ability to manage large teams and multiple departments Results-driven with a focus on efficiency and growth Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Operations, or related field MBA is an added advantage