Field Operation Manager

Thames Water; Bicester; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water utility provider is seeking a Field Operations Manager based in the Thames Valley North area. The role involves leading teams to deliver operational and maintenance activities at sewage pumping stations. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, a background in a technical industry, and a solid understanding of health and safety regulations. Salary up to £45,000 per year with excellent benefits including a car allowance and generous annual leave.

Benefits

Car Allowance

26 days holiday per year

Generous Pension Scheme

Access to discounts and cashback

Enhanced Paternity and Maternity Leave

Performance development reviews

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams effectively.
• Understanding of Health and Safety regulations.
• Ability to manage and develop people.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multi-disciplined team delivering maintenance tasks.
• Manage operational performance and budget.
• Ensure adherence to health and safety standards.

Skills

Proven supervisory experience

Strong leadership skills

IT literacy

Excellent communication

Problem-solving abilities

Stakeholder awareness

Education

Background in process-related or technical industry

Full, current UK driving licence

Tools

SAP Click or similar systems

Job description

Overview

We are looking for a Field Operations Manager to join Thames Water permanently.

You will lead a multi-disciplined team, who will be carrying out Operational and Maintenance activities at Sewage Pumping Stations in the Thames Valley North area.

You will be responsible for operational and maintenance delivery through the effective leadership and direction of resources to achieve set performance and expenditure targets, quality standards and statutory requirements.

Base Location: Oxford, Bicester, Abingdon, Banbury

What makes this role unique?

You will join a team that is recognised as having operational expertise across a wide geographical area, providing critical services to Waste Pumping Assets. This role will allow you to support the development of Field Technicians and maintain a good awareness of the maintenance needs of Sewage Pumping Stations.

You will be managing teams with a wide range of operational, mechanical and electrical expertise. Field Operations Managers are people experts and will drive the performance of their teams, ensuring that health, safety, and quality standards are maintained.

What will this role involve?

• Lead a multi-disciplined team delivering planned and reactive maintenance for approximately 325 pumping stations across the Thames Valley North area.
• Lead, Coach and Develop People to fulfil the business needs.
• Champion change through a passion for continuous improvement, promoting best practice ways of working and sharing local knowledge.
• Manage, control and report on an assigned budget, including contributing to budgetary planning to ensure that financial targets are met.
• Assist with developing risk assessment and Safe Systems of Work for complex work activities.
• Conduct health and safety audits.
• Demonstrate adherence to health and safety policies, and a clear commitment to continuously improving the health and safety of our people and sites.
• You will work in an area alongside a Field Operations Manager and a team of technicians with a wide variety of skillsets ranging from unskilled through to mechanical, electrical and ICA.
• Waste Control Centre – Monitor our telemetry.
• Planning and Scheduling – Plan and deliver work to the technician.
• Liaising with customers and customer representatives, including the council
• Assist with developing risk assessment and Safe Systems of Work for complex work activities

Essential criteria

• Proven supervisory experience with strong leadership skills.
• Background in a process-related or technical industry is desirable.
• Solid understanding of Health and Safety at Work regulations.
• IT literate, with experience using SAP Click or similar systems.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills across all levels.
• High attention to detail and strong problem-solving abilities.
• Good business and stakeholder awareness.
• Team player with strong influencing skills and ability to work independently.
• Flexible and proactive approach to work.
• Full, current UK driving licence required.

What’s in it for you?

• Offering a salary up to £45,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
• Car Allowance!
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (Plus bank holidays)
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Benefits on Tap, access to discounts, cashback and instant vouchers.
• Generous Paternity Leave, including 4 weeks paid and an optional 2 weeks unpaid.
• Enhanced Maternity Leave, 26 weeks full pay and 13 weeks half pay.
• Ongoing performance development reviews to help you be your best and identify growth opportunities.
• Wider benefits scheme including our benefits hub, which is packed full of offers and information to save you money and support your wellbeing.

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.