Operations Manager in St. Helens, Merseyside

Job Title: Operations Manager - Highways & Surfacing

Location: North West
Salary: £45,000 - £55,000 + Package
Job Type: Permanent

An established and growing highways and civil engineering contractor delivering surfacing and associated construction works.

The business is continuing to develop its operational structure and is looking for an organised, commercially aware Operations Manager to coordinate the business behind the sites, ensuring projects are properly planned, resourced and delivered efficiently and profitably.

This is a key role within the business, working closely with Directors, site teams and the commercial function to improve planning, procurement, resource management and operational control.

We are looking for an experienced Operations Manager with a background in highways, surfacing, civil engineering or construction.

The role will sit at the centre of the operational function, ensuring upcoming works are properly prepared and that labour, plant, materials, subcontractors and logistics are coordinated effectively.

You will take responsibility for the forward programme of works, procurement and supplier management while providing the commercial team with accurate cost information and ensuring potential operational issues are identified and dealt with early.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys being hands-on, organised and commercially focused and who wants to help a growing business improve its systems and processes.

• Manage the forward programme of works and coordinate labour, plant, materials and subcontractors.

• Ensure projects are fully prepared before works commence.

• Coordinate access, traffic management, materials, plant and other site requirements.

• Manage procurement of asphalt, aggregates, plant hire, haulage, subcontractors, PPE and associated requirements.

• Obtain competitive rates and negotiate with suppliers where appropriate.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and subcontractors.

• Maintain approved supplier and subcontractor lists.

• Coordinate company and hired plant, vehicles and equipment.

• Monitor plant availability and ensure resources are allocated effectively.

• Introduce and manage a straightforward purchase order process.

• Track project expenditure and provide accurate cost information to the commercial/QS team.

• Monitor supplier performance, deliveries and associated costs.

• Ensure materials and plant are available when required to avoid disruption to programmes.

• Identify operational issues at an early stage and resolve or escalate where appropriate.

• Keep Directors and senior management informed of upcoming workload, resource requirements and potential problems.

• Work closely with site teams to ensure projects are properly planned and resourced.

• Support the commercial team with accurate procurement and operational cost information.

• Review operational processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency.

• Introduce and develop systems and processes as the business continues to grow.

• Help reduce operational inefficiencies and unnecessary expenditure.

• Support the business in maintaining a well-organised and commercially controlled operation.

The successful candidate will ideally have:

• Proven experience in an Operations, Contracts, Procurement or similar role within construction, highways, surfacing or civil engineering.

• Good understanding of construction logistics and operational planning.

• Experience managing suppliers and subcontractors.

• Procurement and purchasing experience.

• Good knowledge of plant, materials, asphalt, aggregates and construction logistics would be advantageous.

• Strong organisational and coordination skills.

• Good commercial awareness and understanding of project expenditure.

• Strong Excel, systems and administration skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and changing workloads.

• A proactive approach to identifying and resolving operational issues.

• Strong communication and negotiation skills.

• Ability to work closely with Directors, site teams and commercial/QS functions.

• A practical, hands-on approach with the ability to work in a fast-moving environment.

The key objective of the role is to create a well-organised, commercially controlled operation where projects are properly planned, materials and plant are available when required, procurement is controlled and the Directors and site teams spend less time firefighting.

The successful candidate will play an important role in putting the structure, systems and processes in place to support the company's continued growth.

• £45,000 - £55,000 salary

• Package

• Key operational role within a growing highways/surfacing contractor

• Opportunity to influence and improve operational systems

• Broad responsibility across procurement, planning and resource management

• Close involvement with Directors and senior management

• Long-term career progression

• Opportunity to make a genuine impact on the way the business operates

If you're interested in this opportunity, then please get in touch today with our Commercial Specialist, Mark Harris.

Building Careers UK specialises in Construction and Property recruitment and serves as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and an employment business for the supply of temporary workers.

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Building Careers UK is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Please Note: Due to the high volume of applicants, only those shortlisted will be contacted.

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