Hire Desk Lead – Plant & Equipment

Core Highways; Highweek; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life assurance

HSF Health Plan

Enhanced maternity pay

33 days holiday per year – inclusive

Employee Assistance Program – 24/7

Free Wellbeing App

CPD support and training

Job summary

Core Highways is recruiting a Hire Desk Controller for the Heathfield Depot to lead the hire desk operations, ensuring timely provision of plant, vehicles and equipment while maintaining safety and compliance across the region.

The role involves managing bookings, supplier relationships, spend, and reporting to maximise utilisation and meet project timelines. Collaboration with fleet, procurement and site teams is essential to deliver value and keep operations running smoothly.

Qualifications

• Strong organisational and coordination skills in a fast-paced operational setting.
• Commercial awareness with the ability to manage costs and negotiate with suppliers.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management across multiple teams.
• Experience managing or supervising a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the hire desk function.
• Coordinate the booking, allocation, and off-hiring of plant, vehicles, and specialist equipment.
• Ensure all hire requests are fulfilled efficiently, meeting operational demands and project timelines.
• Develop and maintain effective scheduling processes to maximise utilisation and minimise downtime.
• Manage relationships with external hire suppliers, negotiating rates and service levels.
• Monitor supplier performance against KPIs, ensuring quality, compliance, and value for money.
• Support the procurement and onboarding of new suppliers in line with company procedures.
• Ensure all hire agreements and documentation are accurate and compliant.
• Oversee hire spend, ensuring cost-effective solutions are identified and implemented.
• Track and report on plant utilisation, idle time, and associated costs.
• Support budget management and provide input into forecasting and cost reporting.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, improved utilisation, and efficiency gains.
• Ensure all hired plant and equipment meet legal, safety, and company compliance requirements.
• Maintain accurate records of certifications, inspections, and maintenance documentation.
• Support audits and ensure adherence to company policies and industry regulations.
• Promote a strong safety culture across all hire activities.
• Act as the key point of contact for operational teams regarding hire requirements.
• Work closely with fleet, procurement, and commercial teams to align hire strategy with business needs.
• Provide guidance and support to depot and site teams on hire processes and best practice.
• Maintain accurate records within hire and fleet management systems such as Reflow and NetSuite.
• Produce regular reports on utilisation, spend, supplier performance, and service levels.
• Use data insights to drive continuous improvement in hire desk performance

Skills

Strong organisational skills

Commercial awareness

Stakeholder management

Team supervision

Education

GCSEs including Maths & English

Logistics qualification (desirable)

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel)

Job description

Core Highways is recruiting a Hire Desk Controller for the Heathfield Depot to lead the hire desk operations, ensuring timely provision of plant, vehicles and equipment while maintaining safety and compliance across the region.

The role involves managing bookings, supplier relationships, spend, and reporting to maximise utilisation and meet project timelines. Collaboration with fleet, procurement and site teams is essential to deliver value and keep operations running smoothly.