Operations Manager

Active Tree Services; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Active Tree Services, Australia's leading vegetation management company, is seeking an energetic Operations Manager to lead a substantial portfolio across Melbourne's north and north-eastern suburbs and surrounding regional areas.

You will mentor Supervisors and crews, drive safety, productivity and client outcomes, manage subcontractors and fleet resources, and shape the future of our operations with strong commercial acumen and decisive leadership.

Qualifications

• Significant experience within Vegetation Management, Utility Arboriculture or Line Clearance Operations.
• Proven experience leading operational teams in a high-volume, fast-paced field environment.
• Experience managing subcontractors and contractor networks.
• Strong commercial capability including budget accountability and P&L exposure.
• Current unrestricted driver's licence.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop Supervisors, Crew Leaders and operational teams.
• Drive safety, productivity, quality and customer outcomes across the portfolio.
• Manage subcontractor performance and contractor networks for long-term partnerships.
• Influence P&L performance through commercial decision-making and cost control.
• Identify revenue opportunities within contracts and emerging markets.
• Develop client relationships and stakeholder engagement.
• Maximise fleet utilisation and equipment readiness with the fleet division.
• Lead workforce planning, forecasting and resource management.
• Drive continuous improvement to improve productivity and profitability.
• Ensure safety, compliance and flawless operations across all work programs.
• Travel across Victoria to support operations and growth initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Vegetation Management

Utility Arboriculture

Line Clearance Operations

P&L exposure

Budget accountability

Subcontractor management

Strategic thinking

Driver's license

Job description

Active Tree Services is Australia's leading vegetation management company, delivering large-scale utility vegetation management programs that protect critical infrastructure and support communities across the country.

We're searching for a highly driven, commercially minded and operationally focused Operations Manager to join our Victorian leadership team.

Reporting directly to the Contract Manager, you'll be responsible for leading a substantial operational portfolio across the North and North-Eastern suburbs of Melbourne and surrounding regional areas, overseeing crews, supervisors, subcontractors, fleet resources and client relationships whilst driving safety, performance and profitability.

This role will suit an experienced vegetation management professional who is motivated by results, thrives in a fast-paced environment and understands that great operations are built through strong leadership, accountability and getting the fundamentals right.

The Opportunity

This is not a role for someone looking to simply maintain the status quo.

We're looking for a leader who wants to build capability, strengthen teams, create efficiencies, identify growth opportunities and help drive the future success of the business.

You'll be responsible for:

• Leading, mentoring and developing Supervisors, Crew Leaders and operational teams.
• Building engaged, resilient and high-performing teams founded on accountability, trust and teamwork.
• Driving operational performance across safety, productivity, quality and customer outcomes.
• Managing subcontractor performance and building long-term, mutually beneficial contractor partnerships.
• Supporting and influencing P&L performance through strong commercial decision-making, labour management and cost control.
• Identifying and pursuing additional revenue opportunities within existing contracts and emerging markets.
• Developing strong relationships with clients and key stakeholders.
• Working closely with a large-scale fleet division to maximise fleet utilisation, equipment performance, compliance and operational readiness.
• Driving workforce planning, operational forecasting and resource management.
• Leading continuous improvement initiatives that improve productivity, service delivery and profitability.
• Ensuring the highest standards of safety, compliance and operational execution across all work programs.
• Travelling throughout Victoria to support operational requirements, customer engagement and business growth initiatives.

About You

You're energetic, commercially astute and understand what it takes to deliver successful vegetation management programs in a demanding operational environment.

You are:

• Highly motivated and results driven.
• A natural leader who leads from the front.
• A builder of teams and future leaders.
• Comfortable making tough decisions and taking ownership.
• Commercially aware with strong business acumen.
• A strategic thinker who can see opportunities beyond today's work program.
• Passionate about delivering exceptional customer outcomes.
• Committed to creating long-term success rather than short-term wins.
• A genuine team player who understands that great outcomes are achieved through collaboration.
• Significant experience within Vegetation Management, Utility Arboriculture or Line Clearance Operations.
• Proven experience leading operational teams in a high-volume, fast-paced field environment.
• Experience managing subcontractors and contractor networks.
• Strong commercial capability including budget accountability and P&L exposure.
• Demonstrated ability to drive productivity, operational performance and business outcomes.
• Experience building strong client relationships and managing stakeholder expectations.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Current unrestricted driver's licence.

What's In It For You?

• A package that rewards your impact: an attractive salary package that reflects the scale of the role.
• Drive away in confidence: a fully maintained company vehicle to get you across Victoria.
• Lead something significant: take charge of a substantial operational portfolio across Melbourne's north and north-east and surrounding regional areas.
• Real autonomy, real ownership: the freedom to make decisions, back your judgement and be accountable for the results.
• Backed by experienced leaders: work alongside a strong, supportive management team that wants you to succeed.
• Shape the future: influence business strategy and operational direction, not just deliver it.
• Grow with the best: build your career within Australia's leading vegetation management company.

Why Active?

Because we're not looking for someone to simply manage an operation.

We're looking for someone who can build strong foundations, develop great people, create a winning culture, uncover growth opportunities and drive sustainable business performance.

Someone who understands vegetation management, embraces accountability and is motivated by achieving outstanding results.

If you're an ambitious operational leader with a strong vegetation management background, commercial mindset and a passion for building high-performing teams, we'd like to hear from you.