Operations Manager

Swann Engineering Group Ltd; Braintree; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Swann Engineering Group Ltd. is seeking an Operations Manager to oversee planning, production and installation of structural and architectural steelwork projects.

You will lead the SAS team, ensure regulatory compliance, manage resources, and maintain strong client and contractor relationships. You will coordinate design and fabrication, ensuring timely, cost-effective delivery while meeting safety standards and company targets.

Qualifications

• Proven project management skills; experience with contracts in construction.
• Good knowledge of health and safety legislation.

Responsibilities

• Provide clear leadership within the SAS team to hit project targets.
• Control resources within projects to achieve financial margins.
• Oversee production, procurement and planning of daily operations.
• Coordinate with departments to meet delivery times.
• Report project commercial issues such as overspend or delays.
• Capture variations and monitor budgets for recoverable costs.
• Plan and review workload to meet targets cost-effectively.
• Oversee on-site works when required and resolve issues.
• Ensure client specifications and delivery dates are communicated to stakeholders.
• Maintain health and safety practices across all stages.

Skills

Project management

Budget management

Health & Safety

Contract terms

Communication

Negotiation

Leadership

Job description

Salary: up to £50,000 per annum + £4,000 car allowance + benefits

Swann Engineering Group is an ethical and forward-thinking group where we want our vision and values to not only shape our people but also the environment around us. Our strength comes from our effective corporate governance, diversity of specialist skills and experience but most of all, our excellence in managing all aspects of the product lifecycle under one roof including design, manufacture, installation, maintenance and customer support.

Swann Engineering Group has a proven track record to tackle bespoke engineering projects of any size in any sector from telecommunications, outdoor media, structural and architectural, floodlighting & gantries, defence and radar solutions. With our Head office based in Braintree, Essex, and a headcount of 120 employees we are a trusted partner to the UK’s leading mobile network operators and telecommunications infrastructure owners. Swann Engineering have strong working relationships with national housebuilders and major Construction companies throughout the UK.

About the role

As Operations Manager you will oversee the planning, production and installation of structural and architectural steelwork projects, ensuring quality and safety standards are fully met as well as ensuring they are completed in a cost effective and timely manner.

You will manage the life cycle process of each project from award to close out, supporting the team in coordinating the design and fabrication, ensuring the team have the right resources available to them, leading the team and ensuring regulatory compliance is always fully met. In this role you will act as the key point of contact for the company’s site-based clients and contractors.

Main Duties

• To provide clear and inspirational leadership within the SAS team which results in the delivery of all project targets.
• Control and manage resources within assigned projects to achieve the company’s financial margin targets – including attending prestart meetings, implementing contracts, and undertaking contract reviews.
• Responsible for the production, procurement, and planning of daily operations.
• Communicate with all relevant departments to ensure delivery times are met.
• Report project commercial issues – e.g. project overspend / delays and consequences.
• Capture variations and monitor budgets to ensure all legitimate contract costs are recovered.
• Plan, schedule and review workload and manpower to make sure targets are being met on a cost-effective basis.
• Where required, to oversee on site works, anticipating issues, and being proactive with ‘win win’ resolutions.
• Ensure the production team has enough time to manufacture and deliver products based on the client's request. Monitor the production schedule and communicate any changes in the order or delivery date to relevant parties.
• Ensure that Health and Safety best practice and regulations are followed at every stage always referring to in-house H&S experts where necessary.
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders in other departments.
• Positive and constructive communication with clients, both site and office based, to maintain and enhance relationships through service.

About you

Qualifications and Experience

• SMSTS or SSSTS trained
• Experience in negotiating and working with sub-contractors & suppliers
• Proven project management skills, including experience of contract terms and conditions within the construction sector
• Solid technical background and experience
• Basic understanding of project financials – including managing project budgets
• Good knowledge of Health & Safety legislation
• Valid UK driving licence

Aptitude, skills and abilities

• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• Computer literate and conversant in the use of software packages such as Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word and Microsoft Project
• Confident communicator who builds trust with colleagues, subcontractors and clients
• Strong problem solving skills, ability to identify and resolve technical, logistical and interpersonal issues that arise during project delivery
• Strong attention to detail

Personal attributes

• Enthusiastic, proactive and organised individual
• Ability to work well under pressure and have a flexible approach to working
• Drive to achieve results
• Ability to engage and motivate others

Candidates should live within a reasonable commute to Braintree and have the right to work in the UK.

This is a permanent, full-time role from Monday to Friday.