Labour Manager

DALKIA FROID SOLUTIONS; Thornaby-on-Tees; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Dalkia is seeking a proactive Labour Manager to lead weekly paid workforce planning and deployment across North East engineering and construction projects. The role partners with operational leaders, unions, apprentices and employees to ensure skilled labour resources are aligned, challenges are resolved quickly and projects are adequately staffed.

The Labour Manager will own forecasting, deployment, employee relations and stakeholder engagement, balancing operational needs with strategic

Qualifications

• Experience in construction, engineering, or related sectors.
• Knowledge of working rule agreements and health & safety initiatives.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Forecast labour needs across multiple projects and allocate resources.
• Coordinate labour transfers locally and nationally.
• Respond to short-term workforce requirements with a forward-looking plan.
• Support tender and bid activity with labour planning expertise.
• Engage with unions and employee relations matters alongside HR.

Skills

Labour forecasting

Workforce deployment

Employee relations

Stakeholder engagement

Payroll processes

Union relations

Tools

Payroll systems

Labor allocation systems

Job description

About Dalkia UK

At Dalkia, we're driven by a shared purpose: tackling climate change and building a better, more sustainable future. We bring together talented people who share knowledge, challenge each other and grow together.

Backed by EDF, Britain's biggest generator of low carbon electricity, we're a people-first culture. With 5,000+ employees and £600m+ turnover, we combine the strength of a major group with a great culture, innovative mindset and inclusive values making Dalkia a great place to work and grow your career.

Labour Manager

Shape the Workforce Behind Major Engineering Projects

At Dalkia Engineering, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We are looking for an experienced and proactive Labour Manager to lead the management, planning and deployment of our weekly paid workforce across multiple engineering and construction projects in the North East.

This is a highly visible role where you'll work closely with operational leaders, project teams, unions, apprentices and employees to ensure labour resources are planned effectively, workforce challenges are resolved quickly, and our projects have the skilled people they need to succeed.

The Role

As Labour Manager, you'll take ownership of labour forecasting, workforce deployment, employee relations and stakeholder engagement across your area of responsibility. You'll balance operational demands with strategic workforce planning, ensuring projects are resourced safely, efficiently and compliantly.

Key Responsibilities;

Workforce Planning & Labour Management

• Review labour forecasts across multiple projects and ensure effective resource allocation.

• Manage labour transfers between projects locally and nationally.

• Respond to short-term resource requirements whilst maintaining a forward-looking workforce strategy.

• Support tender and bid activities by providing labour planning expertise.

• Participate in pre-start labour strategy meetings.

Employee & Stakeholder Relations

• Build strong relationships with operational teams and leaders at all levels.

• Maintain regular engagement with the operative workforce.

• Support investigations, grievances and employee relations matters alongside HR colleagues.

• Conduct regular site visits to maintain engagement and visibility.

• Partner with Learning & Development teams to support supervision and competency management.

Working Rule Agreements & Industrial Relations

• Maintain expert knowledge of industry working rule agreements and relevant legislation.

• Build positive working relationships with union representatives.

• Support the delivery of health and safety initiatives.

• Work closely with payroll to ensure accurate payments and compliance with agreements.

Apprentices & Future Talent

• Support the recruitment of apprentices and trainees.

• Play an active role in onboarding and induction activities.

• Provide guidance and pastoral support throughout their development journey.

• Support succession planning and future talent pipelines.

Systems, Payroll & Reporting

• Manage labour allocation and workforce systems.

• Support payroll processes, including overtime approval and deductions.

• Utilise technology and reporting tools to improve workforce planning and operational effectiveness.

What you’ll bring;

We’re looking for someone who combines operational credibility with excellent people skills and the ability to build strong relationships and influence at all levels.

You’ll need experience within the construction, engineering, E&I installation or a related industry. Experience coordinating labour, resources or operational workforces is also essential and any experience working with trade unions or within an industrial relations environment would be extremely useful. In addition an understanding of working rule agreements would also be advantageous.

Additional skills are;

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage competing priorities.

• Exposure to workforce planning, payroll processes or labour allocation systems.

Our Values

People First – It starts with health, safety and wellbeing

Better Together – A collaborative team

Trusted Partners – Dedicated to our clients’ success

Taking Responsibility – Making a positive difference

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

We’re committed to an inclusive and fair recruitment process. If you need any adjustments please let us know, in confidence, our team is here to support you.