In-Flight Catering Facility Specialist - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

About us: 

Dokainish & Company is a global organization that has been providing world class professional consultancy services since 2011. We have recently launched our MENA operations, headquartered in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. This opportunity will also expand our operations into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to support major government and private sector clients across aviation, infrastructure, construction, and large-scale capital development programs, reinforcing our long-term commitment to the region and our role in supporting visionary national transformation initiatives. 

Overview: 

Dokainish & Company is seeking an experienced In-flight Catering Facility Specialist to support the planning, delivery, and commissioning of industrial-scale aviation catering facilities. This role will provide technical expertise across food production systems, HACCP compliance, kitchen equipment installation, workflow optimization, and operational readiness for high-capacity in-flight catering operations. 

This is a full-time position, and the selected candidate must be based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Provide subject-matter expertise on the design, layout, and operational flow of in-flight catering facilities, including hot kitchen, cold kitchen, bakery, dishwashing, and food preparation areas. 

• Review engineering drawings and specifications to ensure alignment with HACCP, ISO 22000, and industrial food safety requirements. 

• Oversee installation, testing, and commissioning of catering and kitchen equipment, ensuring performance and compliance with operational needs. 

• Evaluate production capacity requirements and propose workflow improvements for optimal throughput and efficiency. 

• Support procurement efforts for specialized kitchen equipment, materials handling systems, and food production technologies. 

• Conduct readiness assessments for utilities, MEP interfaces, refrigeration systems, and waste management processes. 

• Coordinate with contractors, consultants, and client stakeholders to track progress, resolve technical issues, and ensure timely project delivery. 

• Support facility start-up activities, operational validations, and staff training for equipment use and food safety compliance. 

Candidate Profile  

• Industry practitioner with deep expertise in in-flight catering facilities or industrial food production. 

• Strong understanding of operational flows, equipment sequencing, and industrial hygiene requirements. 

• Highly organized, detail-driven, and capable of managing complex equipment commissioning activities. 

• Able to collaborate effectively with engineers, contractors, suppliers, and client stakeholders. 

• Comfortable providing practical guidance, identifying design gaps, and ensuring operational readiness in high-volume catering environments. 

Required Experience 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Food Engineering, or equivalent. 

• 15+ years of experience in in-flight catering facilities, industrial kitchens, or large-scale food production environments. 

• Strong working knowledge of HACCP, ISO 22000, industrial food safety standards, and kitchen operational workflows. 

• Hands-on experience supervising equipment installation, testing, and commissioning. 

• Must have full professional proficiency in the English language. 

 
Technical Skills 

• Expertise in commercial kitchen equipment, utilities planning, and production line configuration. 

• Strong understanding of HVAC, refrigeration, and MEP interfaces related to catering operations. 

• Proficiency in technical report writing, audits, and compliance documentation. 

• Ability to review design documents, equipment schedules, and method statements. 

Education & Certifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Food Engineering, or a related field. 

• Food safety or HACCP certifications preferred. 

Location & Mobility 

• KSA-based 

• Regional travel flexibility required 

Note: This role description is intended to provide a general overview of the position. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, or qualifications required.