Supervisor, IT/OT

Role Overview

Supervisor, IT/OT at ACWA Power, based in Jeddah - Shuaibah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Responsible for supervising and managing IT and OT support services across the corporate office and plants under O&M contracts, ensuring timely, reliable, and high-quality technical support to end users and plant operations.

Role Purpose

Coordinate and oversee IT and OT support services, infrastructure, networking, hardware, software, communication systems, and operational technology activities including SCADA, DCS, PLC, HMI, and industrial networks. Ensure effective incident resolution, system availability, asset management, vendor coordination, cybersecurity compliance, and implementation of IT/OT policies and procedures in coordination with the IT Manager, plant management, Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and other stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Support Operations & Help Desk

• Manage IT/OT support services and Help Desk activities across the corporate office and assigned plants.
• Supervise and coordinate day-to-day IT and OT support activities and ensure timely resolution of incidents and service requests.
• Provide technical support for hardware, software, networking, communication systems, and IT infrastructure.
• Coordinate support for OT systems such as SCADA, DCS, PLC, HMI, industrial networks, servers, and related plant systems where applicable.
• Monitor IT/OT system availability and escalate critical incidents to the IT Manager and relevant technical teams.
• Ensure timely completion of IT-related jobs, installations, services, and vendor activities required for clearing IT-related invoices and payments.

Policies, Standards & Infrastructure

• Implement and maintain the organization's IT/OT technology plans, policies, procedures, and standards.
• Ensure IT/OT access, user accounts, and permissions are managed in accordance with approved policies and procedures.
• Ensure proper backup and recovery arrangements are maintained for critical IT/OT systems and data where applicable.
• Ensure changes to critical OT systems are properly coordinated, approved, documented, and implemented without negatively impacting plant operations.

Asset & Inventory Management

• Maintain accurate hardware, software, network, and IT/OT asset inventories for the corporate office and all assigned plants.
• Ensure proper tracking of IT/OT equipment, licenses, warranties, maintenance contracts, and software subscriptions.
• Ensure proper documentation of IT/OT systems, network configurations, asset records, support procedures, and technical information.

Incident & Problem Management

• Collect and review weekly IT/OT status reports from all sites and projects and submit consolidated reports to the IT Manager.
• Monitor recurring IT/OT incidents and identify opportunities for improvement and preventive actions.
• Coordinate troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, upgrades, and replacement of IT/OT equipment and systems.
• Report deviations and non-conformities related to the Integrated Management System (IMS) and support corrective actions.
• Report emergencies, incidents, near misses, and major IT/OT system failures to the appropriate management.

Technical Evaluation & Procurement

• Conduct technical evaluations of hardware, networking equipment, software, IT/OT solutions, and related technical requirements.
• Provide technical reviews and recommendations for IT/OT procurement comparisons and purchasing activities.

Vendor & Contractor Management

• Coordinate with vendors, contractors, OEMs, system integrators, and service providers and monitor their performance.
• Review vendor technical reports, service reports, maintenance recommendations, and proposed system upgrades.
• Ensure vendors and contractors comply with company policies, HSE requirements, site access requirements, and cybersecurity procedures.

Cybersecurity & Compliance

• Support implementation of IT and OT cybersecurity controls and ensure compliance with applicable cybersecurity requirements.
• Coordinate with cybersecurity and IT teams regarding vulnerabilities, security incidents, unauthorized access, and other cybersecurity concerns.

Health, Safety & Environment

• Ensure identification, assessment, and control of hazards within the assigned work area.
• Ensure applicable environmental aspects are identified, monitored, and controlled in accordance with company requirements.
• Ensure proper handling and disposal of IT-related waste, including cartridges, toners, batteries, electronic equipment, and other e-waste, in accordance with applicable requirements.

Team Leadership & Development

• Assist in recruitment, onboarding, training, and development of IT/OT personnel.
• Identify competency gaps among subordinate personnel and implement appropriate training and development actions.
• Provide on-the-job training to new employees and evaluate their OJT performance.
• Conduct annual performance evaluations for reporting employees.

Projects & Coordination

• Support IT/OT projects, system implementations, upgrades, integrations, and commissioning activities.
• Coordinate with plant Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and other departments to resolve IT/OT-related issues affecting plant operations.
• Maintain effective communication and coordination between the corporate office, plants, IT team, Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and other departments.
• Ensure effective utilization of IT/OT resources, manpower, equipment, software, tools, and services.

General Duties

• Attend to tasks, projects, and assignments delegated by management.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications & Experience

Education

Desired: Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation, Control Engineering, or a related discipline.

Preferred: Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation, or a related field.

Experience

Minimum: 6–8 years of relevant experience in IT support, IT infrastructure, networking, industrial IT/OT, automation, or technical support services.

Preferred: 8+ years of relevant experience with proven supervisory or team leadership experience. Experience supporting IT/OT systems within power, water desalination, utilities, oil & gas, petrochemical, or other industrial environments is preferred.

Certifications

Professional IT, networking, cybersecurity, or industrial automation certification is an advantage.