Area Manager

Ringway; Sittingbourne; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Ringway in Kent is seeking an experienced Area Manager to oversee the delivery of routine and reactive highways maintenance across Kent. You will lead three depots, managing operational teams and ensuring safe, cost-effective service to the client and local communities.

The role requires a proactive leader who can juggle multiple workstreams, drive performance against contracts, maintain strong stakeholder relationships with Kent County Council and supply chain partners, and develop teams to

Qualifications

• Experience as Area Manager or similar leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of routine and reactive highways maintenance.
• Experience managing multiple depots, teams and budgets.
• Track record of driving performance and client satisfaction.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience in a 24/7 operational environment.
• Strong commercial awareness and budget management.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of routine, reactive and emergency highways maintenance operations.
• Manage depot performance, resources and workforce planning.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety legislation and contractual requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement for efficiency and service delivery.
• Manage budgets, performance metrics and operational forecasts.
• Build relationships with clients, stakeholders and supply chain partners.
• Act as escalation point for operational issues and emergencies.
• Mentor and develop operational managers, supervisors and frontline teams.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Contract management

Budget management

Stakeholder management

Team development

Driving licence

Health & safety awareness

Education

HNC/HND in Civil Engineering

SMSTS / IOSH qualification

NRSWA Supervisor accreditation

Job description

Ringway is seeking an experienced Area Manager to oversee the delivery of routine and reactive highways maintenance services across Kent.

Responsible for three operational depots, this is a key leadership role focused on ensuring the safe, efficient and cost-effective delivery of maintenance activities across the highway network. The successful candidate will lead operational teams, drive performance against contractual requirements, and maintain strong working relationships with Kent County Council and other key stakeholders.

This role requires a visible and proactive leader who can successfully manage multiple workstreams, support operational excellence and deliver a high standard of service to the client and local communities.

Duties

• Leading the delivery of routine, reactive and emergency highways maintenance operations.
• Managing depot performance, operational resources and workforce planning.
• Ensuring compliance with contractual requirements, health and safety legislation and company procedures.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and service delivery.
• Managing budgets, performance metrics and operational forecasts.
• Building strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, supply chain partners and internal teams.
• Acting as a key escalation point for operational issues, customer concerns and emergency responses.
• Leading, mentoring and developing operational managers, supervisors and frontline teams.

Person Specification

• Experience as an Area Manager, Operations Manager, Contract Manager or similar leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of routine and reactive highways maintenance operations.
• Experience managing multiple depots, teams and operational budgets.
• A track record of driving performance, service improvements and client satisfaction.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience working within a 24/7 operational environment.
• Strong commercial awareness and budget management capability.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Desirable qualifications include:

• HNC/HND or equivalent in Civil Engineering, Construction Management or a related discipline.
• SMSTS, IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent health and safety qualification.
• NRSWA Supervisor accreditation.

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full Time - 40 - Monday to Friday

Fairness Inclusion & Respect

Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) at Ringway is about recognising and celebrating each other’s differences and what they bring to the team.

Harnessing this diversity and applying the experiences, abilities and unique qualities of individuals will enhance our business; therefore, we commit to equity of opportunity and fair treatment of all current and potential employees and encourage job applications from all.

Should you require any reasonable adjustments to be made as part of the application process please contact us directly.

Ringway recognises the importance of helping our employees balance their work and home life by offering flexible working arrangements across many of our roles which include working from home to enable employees to balance their working life with other priorities.