MEP Operations Lead - Drive Project Delivery & Profit

Bimplus; Grays; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance bonus

Company car / allowance

Pension scheme

Private health care

Career progression

Job summary

1st Step Solutions are supporting a building services engineering company with an Operations Manager role based in Grays, Essex. You will lead day-to-day operations, oversee multiple MEP projects from mobilisation to handover and ensure proper resourcing to meet programme, budget and quality targets.

The role requires strong leadership, excellent communication and a solid understanding of mechanical and electrical building services, with a focus on operational efficiency and project visibility.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in an Operations Manager, Senior Project Manager, Contracts Manager or similar senior operational role within the MEP/construction sector.
• Strong understanding of mechanical and electrical building services.
• Proven experience managing multiple projects and teams.
• Experience working for an MEP contractor.
• Strong commercial and financial awareness.
• Excellent leadership and people-management skills.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving ability.
• Experience working with main contractors, clients, consultants and subcontractors.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Good understanding of health & safety, quality and compliance requirements.
• Strong IT and reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of the business.
• Oversee multiple MEP projects from mobilisation to completion and handover.
• Ensure projects are properly resourced with labour, materials, plant, equipment and subcontractors.
• Establish and maintain effective operational processes and procedures.
• Identify operational risks, issues and bottlenecks and implement solutions.
• Ensure consistent communication between office, management and site teams.
• Develop systems that improve productivity, accountability and project visibility.
• Support Project Managers and Site Managers in delivering projects successfully.
• Monitor project progress against programme, budget, quality and resource requirements.
• Attend project and progress meetings where required.
• Ensure project teams understand their responsibilities, deliverables and deadlines.
• Assist with resolving technical, programme, commercial and resource-related issues.
• Ensure projects are properly planned and mobilised before works commence.
• Drive successful project completion, commissioning and handover.
• Work closely with the commercial and finance teams to protect project margins.
• Monitor project costs, labour performance, material spend and subcontractor costs.
• Review project performance and identify areas where profitability can be improved.
• Support forecasting, budgeting and resource planning.
• Ensure variations, additional works and commercial opportunities are identified and communicated promptly.
• Challenge inefficiencies, waste and unnecessary expenditure.
• Provide regular operational and commercial reporting to senior management.
• Promote and maintain a strong health and safety culture across all operations.
• Ensure projects comply with company policies, legislation and client requirements.
• Work closely with the Health & Safety team to address risks and ensure appropriate controls are in place.
• Ensure required inspections, documentation and project records are maintained.
• Promote high standards of quality and workmanship across all projects.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems, processes and operational performance.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Communication

Problem solving

Health & safety

IT & Reporting

Financial awareness

Contract/Project coordination

Job description

1st Step Solutions are supporting a building services engineering company with an Operations Manager role based in Grays, Essex. You will lead day-to-day operations, oversee multiple MEP projects from mobilisation to handover and ensure proper resourcing to meet programme, budget and quality targets.

The role requires strong leadership, excellent communication and a solid understanding of mechanical and electrical building services, with a focus on operational efficiency and project visibility.