Refinery Manager - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

About Saudi Gold Refinery

Saudi Gold Refinery (SGR) is a Saudi mining and precious-metals company specialized in the refining of gold and precious metals, bullion production, and value-added precious-metal services. Operating within the Kingdom's mining value chain, SGR is aligned to the Vision 2030 mining pillar and to the regulatory framework set by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM) and applicable Saudi and international standards. We produce responsibly sourced, traceable, and certified bullion, operate to LBMA Good Delivery and ISO-aligned quality standards, and invest in the people, processes, and controls behind every bar we produce.

Role Overview

Saudi Gold Refinery (SGR) is seeking a Refinery Manager in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to lead the operational execution of our gold refining and bullion production facilities. This role ensures the safe and efficient conversion of dore bars and recyclable feed into LBMA Good Delivery standard products while maintaining strict regulatory compliance. The manager will oversee all aspects of plant operations, including process metallurgy, assay laboratory performance, and precious metal inventory control.

The Refinery Manager will report directly to the Refinery Director and will play a key role in optimizing refining yields and ensuring operational excellence. This position demands a leader who can uphold the highest standards of safety and quality while contributing to SGR's strategic position in the Saudi mining value chain.

Key Responsibilities

The Refinery Manager will be responsible for the following key areas of operational leadership and technical oversight.

Production Operations Management

The role directs daily refining activities including Miller chlorination and Wohlwill electrolytic processes to meet production schedules and quality targets.

Safety and Environmental Compliance

This position enforces strict adherence to permit-to-work and lockout/tagout systems while managing the safe handling of hazardous chemicals and environmental emissions.

Quality Assurance and Laboratory Oversight

The manager oversees the fire assay laboratory to ensure all bullion products meet LBMA Good Delivery and SASO standards before release.

Inventory Control and Reconciliation

This role maintains precise precious metal inventory records through daily reconciliation of input dore against output bullion and process losses.

Maintenance and Asset Integrity

The position collaborates with the maintenance team to ensure critical refining equipment operates reliably and unplanned downtime is minimized.

Workforce Development and Leadership

The manager leads shift teams and develops technical competencies for operators and technicians in line with Saudization and training goals.

Regulatory and Audit Compliance

This role ensures all operations comply with Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources regulations and prepares the site for LBMA audits.

Budget and Cost Management

The position manages the operational budget for reagents, utilities, and spare parts to ensure cost-effective refining operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field is required.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in precious metals refining or heavy industrial processing is mandatory.
• At least 5 years of senior management experience overseeing plant operations and technical teams is required.
• Expert knowledge of gold refining processes including Miller chlorination and electrolytic refining is essential.
• Proven understanding of LBMA Good Delivery Rules and Responsible Gold Guidance standards is required.
• Strong background in process safety management and hazardous chemical handling in an industrial setting is needed.
• Fluency in English is required for technical reporting and international audit interactions.
• Ability to work on-site in Riyadh and manage 24/7 shift operations is mandatory.

Preferred / Nice-to-have

• Master's degree in Metallurgy or Business Administration is preferred.
• Previous experience with LBMA audits and successful remediation of findings is advantageous.
• Knowledge of Saudi industrial regulations including MIM and SASO requirements is preferred.
• Certification in Lean Six Sigma or operational excellence methodologies is a plus.

Success Metrics

• Achieves zero major non-conformities in LBMA and internal quality audits.
• Maintains gold and silver recovery rates above the defined annual baseline target.
• Records zero lost-time injuries and full compliance with all safety permit systems.
• Ensures 100% of plant staff complete required technical competency certifications.
• Delivers zero unexplained variances in daily precious metal inventory reconciliations.
• Passes all Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and environmental inspections without penalty.
• Meets production volume targets while staying within the approved operational budget.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Saudi Gold Refinery welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. Hiring decisions are made based on role requirements, skills, experience, and alignment with Saudization and Vision 2030 priorities.