General Manager - Khorgos Logistics

Entrepreneurial – Technical – Decisive

As General Manager - Khorgos Logistics, based in Khorgos, Kazakhstan, you'll take ownership of the development, construction and future operation of a strategic logistics hub. You'll bring contractors, authorities, technical partners and the local Saron Kazakhstan team together to move the project safely from construction into a successful logistics operation. As the technical authority, you'll combine hands-on construction leadership with strong commercial and financial judgement. This is a role for someone who can build today while keeping a clear eye on how the hub, and the business around it, will grow tomorrow.

Join the force behind #NOTHING TOO HEAVY, NOTHING TOO HIGH

Your job in a nutshell:

• Own project delivery. Take overall responsibility for the construction schedule, site progress and coordination across contractors and work packages. Manage interfaces, sequencing, access and technical dependencies.
• Lead across construction disciplines. Oversee road and civil works, modular building construction, electrical systems, sewage, plumbing, security systems and associated infrastructure.
• Act as technical authority. Sign off construction works for Saron Kazakhstan in line with the Construction Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Manage designers, state expertise, technical supervision and author's supervision.
• Keep compliance and safety at the centre. Ensure construction, environmental and industrial safety requirements are met. Take responsibility for site safety and the HSE management system in line with Kazakh legal requirements.
• Work with authorities and stakeholders. Through the local Saron Kazakhstan team, coordinate with the Akimat, State Revenue Committee, Border Service, KazAvtoZhol and other relevant Kazakh authorities.
• Lead the local team. Manage, coach and steer the Saron Kazakhstan team across site, technical, administrative and legal activities.
• Shape the future of the hub. Follow regional infrastructure developments around the site, including the planned expansion of the Nur Zholy checkpoint, bypass road and bridge construction. Align the hub's master plan with these projects and manage interfaces with government bodies, designers and contractors.
• Turn infrastructure into business. Identify commercial potential created by regional developments. Support Sales in understanding the development and technical requirements of prospective tenants and customers, from first contact through to a signed lease.
• Build the service offering. Support pricing and commercial terms for storage, warehousing and services. Develop services such as a customs bonded area, temporary storage facilities (SVH), vehicle certification and a future rail connection.
• Build strong customer relationships. Host customer and partner visits and translate operational or technical requirements into practical solutions for the hub.
• Develop customs operations. Provide technical support to obtain and maintain the SVH licence under the Customs Code, working with the State Revenue Committee (KGD), and help establish the hub's customs-related operations.
• Control CAPEX and procurement. Manage the CAPEX budget, cash flow and funding drawdowns together with Group Finance. Review and negotiate contractor and supplier agreements, including estimates, payment terms and advance-payment controls.
• Keep financial processes reliable. Steer correct purchase-group allocation and review and approve purchase orders and invoices in SAP within your delegated authority.
• Manage local and international procurement. Coordinate sourcing from Kazakhstan and international markets while keeping a close eye on quality, cost, contractual terms and delivery.
• Secure essential utilities. Drive grid capacity, gas, water, firewater and wastewater connections, including permits and technical conditions. Where grid capacity is insufficient, develop suitable own-generation solutions.

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ABOUT YOU

You combine senior construction and project leadership with commercial judgement and hands-on ownership. You know how to manage a technically complex site with several contractors working at the same time, but you can step just as confidently into a discussion about CAPEX, contracts, permits, customers or the future master plan.

You are comfortable operating where construction, logistics, government relations and business development meet. Safety and technical compliance are non-negotiable for you. You communicate clearly, make decisions and give your team the direction and autonomy they need to deliver.

Most importantly, you see beyond construction. You want to build a logistics hub that works technically, operationally and commercially for the long term.

Required:

• A relevant Master's degree in engineering or another appropriate technical discipline, required to fulfil the technical-authority responsibilities of the position.
• Strong experience delivering and managing complex construction or infrastructure projects.
• Broad construction knowledge covering areas such as roads, civil works, modular buildings, electrical systems, sewage, plumbing, utilities and security systems.
• Proven experience coordinating designers, contractors, technical supervisors and different work packages on an active construction site.
• Strong knowledge of project planning, contractor management, CAPEX control, procurement and contract management.
• Experience leading and developing multidisciplinary teams.
• The ability to work effectively with government bodies, authorities, technical partners and commercial stakeholders.
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to translate technical requirements into commercially workable solutions.
• Professional working proficiency in Russian, as contracts, estimates, permits and government interactions are conducted in Russian.
• Ability to obtain the required Kazakh work permit.
• A strong commitment to HSE, technical compliance and disciplined project execution.

Preferred:

• Experience with logistics hubs, industrial sites, warehousing, customs facilities or related infrastructure.
• Knowledge of customs-bonded operations, temporary storage facilities (SVH) or customs licensing.
• Experience working in Kazakhstan or the wider Central Asian region.
• Experience procuring equipment, materials or services from Chinese and Russian suppliers.
• Experience developing new logistics services or infrastructure alongside an existing commercial operation.

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YOU GIVE SOME, YOU GET SOME

This role asks for considerable ownership. In return, you get the scope to make a visible difference to a strategic logistics development and its future commercial operation.

You can expect:

• A market-conform salary according to the seniority in the position.
• A senior role with substantial autonomy and direct impact on the development of the Khorgos logistics hub.
• A challenge that combines construction, engineering, logistics, commercial development and leadership.
• The chance to work with local and international teams, suppliers, customers and public authorities.
• Investment in your professional development and the possibility to grow within an international, family-owned group.
• A culture where safety, technical excellence, teamwork and ownership matter.
• The chance to help shape a logistics hub from construction through to operation and future expansion.

At Sarens, we believe that different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences make our teams stronger. We welcome qualified applicants and provide equal opportunities throughout our recruitment process.

Ready to build, lead and create lasting impact in Khorgos? Join Team Blue and #OwnYourFuture.