General Manager- Structural Steel Fabrication

General Manager – Structural Steel Fabrication (Confidential – Abu Dhabi/UAE)

A long-established industrial group in the UAE is seeking a high‑caliber General Manager to lead its heavy structural steel and mechanical fabrication business. Operating as a key partner to ADNOC and major EPC contractors, the company delivers complex, high‑specification steel structures and fabrication solutions for critical energy and infrastructure projects. Due to strong project demand and strategic growth plans, the group is looking for a commercially sharp, operations‑driven GM to take the business to its next level.

As General Manager, you will take full P&L and operational ownership of a specialist fabrication operation focused on heavy structural steel, mechanical fabrication and related services. You will lead a multi‑disciplinary team covering engineering, production, QA/QC, planning, commercial and site execution, ensuring safe, timely and profitable delivery of projects to ADNOC and other blue‑chip clients.

You will be the key driver of:

• Overall business performance: revenue, margins, cash flow and working capital.
• Operational excellence in fabrication, welding, coating, assembly and erection.
• Client relationships with ADNOC and major EPCs, strengthening the company's position as a trusted subcontractor.
• Growth and diversification into new projects, scopes and regional opportunities.

This is a hands‑on leadership role for someone who enjoys being close to the workshop, the site and the client, not just the boardroom.

• Lead the strategic direction and day‑to‑day management of the heavy structural steel / mechanical fabrication business.
• Own the P&L, including budgeting, forecasting, cost control and profitability improvement.
• Ensure on‑time, in‑full delivery of all fabrication and erection projects with strict adherence to safety, quality and ADNOC/client standards.
• Oversee and optimize fabrication operations: materials planning, cutting, welding, fit‑up, machining, blasting/painting, assembly and logistics.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with ADNOC, EPCs and major contractors, positioning the business as a go‑to subcontractor for complex structural scopes.
• Provide strong leadership to production, engineering, planning, QA/QC and project management teams; develop and mentor next‑line leaders.
• Drive continuous improvement in productivity, OEE, layout, resource utilization and process standardization.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant HSE, quality and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate closely with the Group CEO/Board on strategy, investments, capex and business development initiatives.

• Proven track record as General Manager, Operations Director, Business Unit Head or similar within:
  • Structural steel fabrication
  • Mechanical fabrication / heavy engineering
  • EPC / oil & gas construction with strong structural steel exposure
• Significant experience delivering projects for ADNOC and/or other major oil & gas clients in the UAE/GCC.
• Strong understanding of fabrication shops and field operations: steel structures, pipe racks, modules, platforms, skids, heavy lifts and site erection.
• Solid commercial acumen with demonstrated success in P&L management, cost control and margin improvement.
• Hands‑on leadership style: comfortable on the shop floor and site, able to win respect from welders, fabricators and supervisors as well as senior clients.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills, with the ability to represent the company credibly to major clients and partners.

• A pivotal leadership role in a well‑established UAE industrial group.
• Direct impact on business direction, performance and future growth.
• Opportunity to work on technically challenging, high‑visibility projects for ADNOC and leading EPCs.
• Competitive compensation package aligned with seniority and market benchmarks.

If you are an experienced leader from the structural steel / mechanical fabrication world with a passion for building high‑performing teams and delivering for blue‑chip clients, we would be keen to hear from you.