Assistant Area Operational Manager

EMR Group; Erith; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

EMR Group seeks a commercially minded Regional Non-Ferrous Operations Manager to drive performance across multiple depots. You will monitor purchasing activity, margins, costs and market trends while coordinating stock, exports and forward sales to maximise value.

You will lead the regional team to ensure materials are processed to high standards, maintain safety compliance and deliver efficient operations. Travel between sites is required.

Qualifications

• Experience in metal recycling, waste, manufacturing or heavy industrial environments.
• Knowledge of non-ferrous metals or similar operations.
• Ability to analyse operational and financial data to support decisions.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Support regional depots' commercial performance including margins and costs.
• Coordinate stock management, forward sales and export activity.
• Analyse data and produce reports identifying trends and improvements.
• Oversee processing plant operation to meet targets and safety standards.
• Promote health, safety, and environmental compliance across sites.
• Build strong relationships with depot GMs, commercial teams, logistics, and customers.
• Coach colleagues to develop non-ferrous knowledge across the region.
• Contribute to regional reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Commercial awareness

Operational focus

Data analysis

Stakeholder management

Travel flexibility

Tools

Mobile plant

Fixed processing equipment

Job description

About Our Opportunity

We're looking for a commercially minded and operationally focused Regional Non-Ferrous Operations Manager to join our growing team.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with experience in the recycling, metals or heavy industrial sector who enjoys building relationships, improving performance and making a real impact across multiple sites.

Working closely with the Non-Ferrous Area Manager, you'll support the commercial and operational success of our regional Non-Ferrous depots. From purchasing and production through to quality, compliance and customer service, you'll play a key role in driving consistency, improving efficiency and supporting profitable growth.

If you're passionate about continuous improvement, thrive in a fast-paced environment and want to be part of a business that values safety, teamwork and innovation, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Be Doing

As part of our regional non-ferrous team, you'll:

• Support the commercial performance of our depots by monitoring purchasing activity, margins, operational costs and market trends.
• Work closely with depot teams to ensure materials are purchased, graded, and processed to the highest standards while meeting customer specifications.
• Help coordinate regional stock management, forward sales, and export activity to maximise value and improve stock turnover.
• Analyse operational and commercial data, producing reports that identify trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
• Support the efficient operation of processing plants, ensuring equipment is utilised effectively and production targets are achieved.
• Promote a strong culture of health, safety, environmental compliance, and operational excellence across all sites.
• Assist with monthly and quarterly stocktakes, quality control processes and operational audits.
• Build strong relationships with Depot General Managers, commercial teams, logistics, customers, and other key stakeholders.
• Support the development of non-ferrous knowledge across the region by coaching colleagues, sharing best practice and identifying training opportunities.
• Contribute to regional business reviews, commercial planning and continuous improvement initiatives that support the long-term success of the business.

About You

We're looking for someone who is commercially aware, operationally driven, and passionate about delivering results.

You'll ideally have:

• Experience within the metal recycling, waste, manufacturing, or another heavy industrial environment.
• A good understanding of non-ferrous metals or transferable experience within a similar operational or commercial role.
• Knowledge of mobile plant and fixed processing equipment.
• Commercial awareness with an understanding of purchasing, margins, and export markets.
• The ability to analyse operational and financial data to support decision‑making.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills with the confidence to influence colleagues at all levels.
• Strong organisational, planning, and problem‑solving abilities.
• A proactive and self‑motivated approach with a keen eye for detail.
• A commitment to delivering outstanding customer service and maintaining the highest standards of safety and compliance.
• Flexibility to travel regularly between sites and support operational requirements across the region.