Field Performance Manager

Southern Water; New Romney; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water management company located in England seeks a Field Performance Manager for its Waste Water team. The successful candidate will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of assets, driving team performance, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and managing external contractors. Strong leadership skills and the ability to work under pressure are essential. This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact in transforming water services and improving community sustainability.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership skills with experience in managing remote teams.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage conflicting priorities.
• Chemistry or process experience from other industries is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a competent and effective team to meet service targets.
• Drive performance in productivity and utilization target achievement.
• Ensure compliance with safety processes and procedures.
• Liaise with external contractors and manage site works as needed.

Skills

Leadership skills

Team management

Problem-solving

Water process knowledge

Job description

Field Performance Manager – Waste Water Team

As a Field Performance Manager within our Waste Water team, you will be responsible for the safe, compliant, and cost‑efficient operation and maintenance of all assets in a specific geographical area. You will primarily look after the efficiency, productivity, standards, and quality to ensure compliance, serviceability, and optimisation of treatment assets by leading a team of skilled operators and working alongside teams from different departments, including peers, SMT, MEICA, and Process Scientists. Working alongside external partners and stakeholders and positively maintaining working relationships will be key to your success in this role.

Responsibilities

• Building, leading and directing a competent and effective team to deliver compliance, levels of service and serviceability targets
• Integrating asset processes into water / wastewater to ensure consistency to asset issues, drive data improvements and inform the business plan to ensure consistency and efficiency of operation
• Driving team and individual performance in terms of productivity and utilisation target achievement
• Undertaking high‑level monitoring of operational performance and taking action to resolve as necessary
• Liaising with external contractors on works affecting site(s) and managing them where required
• Ensuring safety processes and procedures are followed within the operational area and ensuring the team complies with the requirements of Health and Safety as set out by Southern Water
• Keeping an overview of ISO14001 requirements within the operational area to ensure team compliance with SW's Environmental Management System
• Coaching, mentoring, developing and performance‑managing the team with a key focus on employee engagement to deliver compliance at least cost
• Dealing with external regulatory bodies and representing the company to the media as required to manage events and incidents in own area in and out of hours as required

What you’ll bring to the role

With great power comes great responsibility – as the FPM, you will be required to be available at short notice (not all of the time – there is a rota) to respond to incidents that may occur, ensuring we continue to deliver the best services possible for the customers. Your water process knowledge would be desirable, however any chemistry or process experience from any other industry would be advantageous. You will be methodical and motivational in your approach to team management and able to guide performance in their operational areas. Strong leadership skills with experience in managing remote teams is essential, as your contribution to positively impact team morale is paramount to this role. The ability to work under pressure and manage conflicting priorities is key in this highly empowering position.

Benefits and Company Overview

Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britain's water industry, investing significantly to enhance resilience, sustainability, and service excellence. With £7.8 bn planned investment for 2025‑30, this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in the way water services are managed. You will be joining at a time of significant change, working alongside a highly skilled leadership team with a clear vision for the future. We offer an environment where senior professionals can make a meaningful impact, influence major strategic decisions, and drive long‑term value creation.

We understand that great talent comes in many forms. If this role excites you and you share our commitment to delivering sustainable solutions for our communities, please apply – even if your experience doesn't perfectly match every requirement. We'll support your growth and development.

If this role isn't quite what you're looking for but you are keen to be contacted about opportunities at Southern Water, you can register your details here: Introduce Yourself.

Our Commitment to Diversity

Southern Water is committed to diversity and inclusiveness, encouraging individuals to apply regardless of background.