Operations Manager

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Area Operations Manager to join our operations team, which typically operates embedded power projects comprising of reciprocating gas engine or battery storage plants between 2-10MWe at 11kV grid level, with a number of larger plants between 20-50 MWe at 33kV, 66kV and 132kV grid level.

Reporting to the Head of Operations, this role is responsible for all operation and maintenance activities across the area. The region is organised into three Areas, each managed by an Area Manager, with a number of sites and a team of engineers.

Responsible for safe and efficient operation and maintenance of the companies flexible power generation plant and associated equipment across the designated area, optimising availability and uptime whilst complying to H&S, prescribed quality and standards and commercial and budgetary parameters. The role also requires experience of computerised maintenance management systems, of asset optimisation and the management and supervision of third-party O&M contractors. Experience of customer facing service provision would be beneficial, as well as knowledge of operating projects with gas reciprocating engines and battery energy storage systems.

Applicants will need to hold a driving license and have the ability to travel as our sites are across the UK. Location to be agreed.

About Conrad Energy Ltd

Conrad Energy is a fast-growing UK energy company. We’re powering the move towards renewables through innovation and technology. We generate power to support the National Grid when renewables can’t meet demand and we buy, sell and manage energy for businesses nationally.

With a portfolio including gas, batteries, solar, wind and hydrogen, our 83 sites, operational or in construction, have a potential to generate 983MW of power making us one of the leading flexible energy providers in the country. Optimised and operated using our market-leading software, iON+, we’re at the forefront of shaping a more efficient energy sector that is both reliable and sustainable.

Over the last few years, we’ve planned and developed some of the largest energy infrastructure projects in Europe, as well as rapidly expanding the number of business customers working with us.

We’re proud to power a changing world, building a better future for us all.

Key Job Elements

1. To carry out all your duties with health and safety as number one priority. Responsibilities for your own Health and Safety, for the Health and Safety of your work colleagues and any others who may be affected by the operations under your responsibility or control.
2. Ensure that plant and equipment is run efficiently and safely as scheduled by the trading team and in accordance with H&S systems / procedures, including technical OEM operating literature. To operate and maintain and identify the efficiency of the sites’ flexible power generation equipment, carrying out necessary repairs as required.
3. Manage, lead and motivate a team of Operations Engineers to ensure their potential is realised to the mutual advantage of the Company, external stakeholders and employees. Support, train, coach and mentor the Operations Engineers as necessary. Ensure all staff are trained, competent and aware of their health and safety responsibilities.
4. Optimisation of plant availability and uptime across the area, if necessary attending site providing additional support and experience to the Operations Engineers for more complex maintenance tasks and unplanned breakdowns to bring plant on line with minimal downtime.
5. To carry out (as necessary) reporting on the status of the Areas flexible power generation equipment, ensuring plant records and spare parts are always managed and up to date, using the designated company IT systems to do this.
6. Identification and resolution of problems, escalation to management in a timely fashion. This includes both safety observations / near misses / NCRs, and technical issues with the plants.
7. Responsible for continually monitoring performance of operations against budgets and report trends, variations and deviations from agreed criteria (including availability and financial performance and other KPI’s). Bring forward and implement remedial action plans as required, providing full cost and time analysis as required.
8. Good communication and management of information from specific sites to internal and external stakeholders.
9. Assist in the selection and management of external contractors and suppliers, including reviews on performance and quality of work.
10. Provide maintenance services to a high standard for external customers as required.
11. Support handover of newly built sites from the Construction team into Operations through ensuring plant, equipment, facilities and personnel are ready.
12. Adherence to all Company Policies & Procedures (including but not limited to) those specified in the Employment Handbook, H&S Policy, Environmental Management Systems, Integrated Management Systems and any financial/accounting systems.
13. Apart from the duties summarised in your Role Profile, the company reserve the right to include other reasonable duties which are part of, and incidental to, this type of work.

• Good engineering experience, ideally of gas engines, from leading OEMs

• Able to create both urgency and ownership within the team

• Self-starting, well organised

• Ability to provide both hands-on maintenance, and deal with admin, paperwork / records.

• Experienced at managing supply chain for engine parts and services

• Able to communicate engineering issues to senior management.

Good team management, written and oral skills.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

KNOWLEDGE

Essential: A detailed understanding of MWM, MTU, Jenbacher or CATERPILLAR gas engine management and control systems, and operation and maintenance of such plants.

Desirable: Experience of managing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). Knowledge of three phase electrical systems.

SKILLS

Essential: Good written and numerical skills, IT literate, Ability to work under pressure and meet constantly changing deadlines and priorities.

Desirable: A good working knowledge of CMMS systems.

EXPERIENCE

Essential: Have detailed experience of Internal Combustion Engines, to include base-load power generation plant and equipment. Leadership experience and strong teamworking ethic and mindset.

Desirable: experience of operating battery energy storage systems A working knowledge of data and analytics in an engineering maintenance backdrop.

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential: Educated to at least ONC level or equivalent, or qualified by experience (for example, time-served) in Plant Engineering or relevant discipline.

Desirable: CITB Competence Scheme Card IOSH Working Safely.