Operations Manager – Aquaculture | Warm-Water Abalone
Location: Mirbat, Dhofar Governorate, Oman
Employment Type: Permanent / Consulting Engagement
Career Path: Potential pathway to General Manager based on performance and suitability
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced Operations Manager – Aquaculture to lead the day-to-day operations of a specialised abalone farm and hatchery in Mirbat, Dhofar, Oman.
This is a senior operational role focused on warm-water abalone husbandry, covering both hatchery and grow-out operations. The successful candidate will be responsible for improving survival, growth and production performance while developing husbandry practices suited to Oman's warm-water and seasonally variable conditions.
Key Responsibilities
Warm-Water Abalone Husbandry
- Lead and continuously improve abalone husbandry across hatchery and grow-out phases.
- Drive strong survival, growth and production outcomes.
- Manage husbandry through Oman's seasonal cycle, including the Khareef / monsoon upwelling period.
- Develop, document and standardise husbandry protocols suited to local conditions.
- Manage water quality, nutrition, stocking, animal health and biosecurity.
- Maintain the biological production pipeline from juvenile through to market size.
- Transfer technical knowledge and build the capability of the local operational team.
Farm & Hatchery Operations
- Lead farm, hatchery and technical/maintenance operations.
- Establish and monitor operational metrics and production KPIs.
- Improve farm infrastructure, systems and operational efficiency.
- Use production data to identify performance gaps and implement corrective actions.
- Plan and execute day-to-day farming operations.
Planning, Budgeting & Reporting
- Develop and manage operational plans and budgets.
- Monitor performance against production and financial targets.
- Identify operational risks and take timely corrective action.
- Report operational progress, risks and key decisions to the CEO.
Leadership & Stakeholder Management
- Lead, motivate and develop farm, hatchery and technical teams.
- Recruit, mentor and upskill team members.
- Conduct performance reviews and resolve operational issues.
- Liaise with government authorities, ministries, municipalities, academic institutions, research organisations and industry bodies.
- Ensure operational and regulatory requirements are met.
🎓 Qualifications
- BSc / BSc in Aquaculture, Marine Biology or equivalent degree
- Postgraduate qualification will be an advantage.
- Essential Experience
- Extensive hands-on warm-water abalone aquaculture experience.
- Experience across both hatchery and grow-out operations.
- Proven track record of strong survival and growth outcomes in warm-water conditions.
- Deep practical knowledge of:
- Abalone husbandry
- Water quality
- Nutrition and feeding
- Animal health and disease control
- Biosecurity
- Genetics
- Typically 8+ years of intensive aquaculture experience, including operational and team leadership.
Advantageous Experience
Experience in warm-water abalone environments comparable to Oman, particularly China (Fujian), Taiwan or other warm-water abalone regions, will be highly advantageous.
Experience managing abalone through significant seasonal changes in water temperature and quality, establishing husbandry protocols and training local teams will also be valued.
Key Competencies
- Strong technical expertise in intensive abalone farming.
- Excellent understanding of abalone population behaviour and biological production management.
- Strong analytical and practical problem-solving skills.
- Data-driven and systems-oriented approach.
- Operational planning and budget management.
- Strong leadership and team-management skills.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder-management abilities.
- Cross-cultural sensitivity, patience and flexibility.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure.
- Sound judgment and strong decision-making ability.
- Long-term vision with a hands-on operational approach.
Career Opportunity
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced warm-water abalone specialist to lead a developing aquaculture operation in Oman, establish locally adapted husbandry systems, build a high-performing team and potentially progress into a General Manager role based on performance and organisational fit.
📩 How to Apply
Interested candidates with proven hands-on warm-water abalone hatchery and grow-out experience are invited to share their updated CV.
Please apply only if you have direct abalone aquaculture experience.
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