Operations Manager

Job Title  :  Operations Manager
Reporting to   :  Project Director 
Location  :  Burton-on-Trent
Hours of Work  :  37.5 hours per week

£75k salary +£6k car allowance

Overview of Business & Position 
Our client is a multidisciplinary engineering services provider. They have over 1,200 colleagues supporting customers across the UK to deliver transformational activities within our process, digital, and infrastructure environments. They are a market leader in facilities engineering, offering mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, controls and automation, as part of our engineering solutions offering. 

Our client are known for their client-focused philosophy and delivering outstanding work for their clients. Due to continued growth, we are now looking to recruit an Operations Manager to join the Infrastructure Central business  division based out of the offices in Burton on Trent 

Their Central business unit currently consists of a workforce of circa 80 full-time staff, delivering M&E projects for customers in both most of the construction sectors nationally.

The Operations Manager will be responsible for oversee the operations within our Energy and Water Sector, ensuring efficiency, profitability, and compliance with company policies and industry regulations. 

The role is responsible for ensuring safe, compliant, efficient, and commercially effective operations while maintaining strong customer, regulatory, and stakeholder relationships. The Operations Manager drives performance improvement, asset optimisation, delivery excellence, and operational resilience across all assigned sites and networks.

Core Roles & Responsibilities  
Operational Management
•    Ensure budgets and GP is met for the operating unit within your remit.
•    Coordinate internal and external resources to ensure that projects adhere to scope, schedule, and budget.
•    The leadership, management, and oversight of all areas of the project, delivering successful project outcomes in all areas, and maintaining high standards of professionalism.
•    Communicate effectively and professionally with everyone associated with the project and the wider community.
•    Ensure co-ordination with clients, contractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders to ensure smooth project execution.
•    Ensure full lifecycle management of project in the region from project inception to completion.
•    Provide operational, strategic, and contractual direction for the whole project delivery team.
•    Ensure realistic programmes are prepared, managed, monitored, reviewed, and updated according to the requirements of the project.
•    Ensuring office staff are managing change control and pricing variation to their full value.

People & Team Leadership
•    Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Contract Managers, Project Managers, Engineers, Support staff, Supervisors, Trades and Apprentices within the region.
•    Foster a positive and collaborative work environment, promoting teamwork and communication.
•    Conduct regular performance reviews and provide constructive feedback.

Health, Safety, Environment & Compliance

•    Champion a culture of safety excellence and compliance across all operational teams.
•    Ensure adherence to HSE legislation, internal safety policies, and environmental protection frameworks.
•    Lead investigations into incidents, near misses, and non-conformances; drive corrective and preventative actions.
•    Maintain operational readiness for audits, inspections, and regulatory reporting obligations.

Compliance and Quality Control
•    Ensure all operations comply with company policies, industry regulations and safety standards.
•    Implement and maintain quality control processes to guarantee high standards of service delivery.
•    Address and resolve operational issues promptly and effectively.
•    Ensure a positive safety culture is always encouraged and abided by.

Asset Management & Technical Oversight
•    Oversee the condition, performance, and lifecycle planning of energy and water infrastructure assets.
•    Implement asset management strategies to optimise reliability, resilience, and cost efficiency.
•    Review technical documentation, engineering designs, commissioning plans, and operational procedures.
•    Maintain accurate records of asset performance, maintenance activities, and operational risks

Strategic Planning
•    Analyse competitor activities and regional performance to identify growth opportunities.
•    Provide input into regional business plans to achieve short and long-term objectives.
•    Co-ordinate with Senior Leadership to align regional activities with overall company goals.

Customer Relations
•    Maintain strong relationships with key clients, stakeholders, and partners within the region.
•    Address customer concerns and feedback to improve service quality and customer satisfaction.
•    Represent the company at regional events, meetings, and industry functions.

Budgeting, Financial & Commercial Management
•    Prepare and manage operational budgets, ensuring spend aligns with financial targets.
•    Monitor operational costs, productivity, and resource utilisation to maximize value.
•    Support commercial teams with tendering, contract management, and cost forecasting.
•    Assess supplier performance, negotiate service agreements, and manage procurement of operational materials and services.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation
•    Drive operational excellence through process optimisation, digital technologies, and innovation in asset performance.
•    Implement KPI frameworks, operational dashboards, and performance reporting mechanisms.
•    Lead improvement programmes aimed at reducing downtime, enhancing reliability, and improving customer outcomes.
•    Promote sustainability initiatives aligned with energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and water conservation objectives.

Work always to our company values:
•    Service: Providing exceptional service to our customers is our number one priority. We believe it is the foundation of business success and we are passionately committed to understanding what our customers want and to providing them with outstanding solutions and service.
•    Safety: Our commitment to safe working practices runs throughout our businesses. This extends to our people, our environment, and the communities we work with.
•    People: Good people are the bedrock of our business. We are committed to attracting and developing the best people we can and dedicated to providing them with stimulating and rewarding jobs and careers.

Key Skills & Responsibilities  
•    Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent in Business Administration, Operations Management,
Engineering, or a related field.
•    Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in engineering or operations leadership role.
•    Understanding of NEC and JCT contracts.
•    Previous experience managing portfolio of M&E projects in Energy or Water sectors, both would be advantageous.
•    Strong leadership and team management abilities
•    Strong commercial acumen.
•    Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with application to detail and presentation
•    Ability to develop and implement strategic plans.
•    Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
•    Familiarity with industry-specific regulations and standards.
•    Commit to continuous Improvement & Innovation
•    Drive operational excellence through process optimisation, digital technologies, and innovation in asset performance.
•    Implement KPI frameworks, operational dashboards, and performance reporting mechanisms.
•    Lead improvement programmes aimed at reducing downtime, enhancing reliability, and improving customer outcomes.
•    Promote sustainability initiatives aligned with energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and water conservation objectives.
•    Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and relevant software applications