Operations Manager

Pearson Whiffin Recruitment Ltd; England; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to oversee the scheduling and delivery of drainage operations. This office-based role involves effective coordination of resources and ensuring services are delivered safely and on time. Candidates should have demonstrable experience in managing operations in utilities or logistics, outstanding organisational skills, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. The position offers a competitive salary and the chance to work in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in scheduling or managing operations ideally within utilities, drainage or logistics.
• Strong operational understanding of specialist vehicles and plant.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a reactive environment.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and oversee daily operations involving specialist vehicles, drivers, and subcontractors.
• Ensure effective utilisation of fleet, drivers, and external partners.
• Act as a key point of contact for subcontractors, managing availability, performance, and communication.

Skills

Scheduling or managing operations

Operational understanding of specialist vehicles and plant

Highly organised

Confident communicator

Solutions-focused approach

Good commercial awareness

Competent with scheduling systems and office software

Job description

Operations Manager

Full Time Office Based Permanent
Monday to Friday, 7:00am 5:00pm
Location: Mid Kent

Salary £35,000 - £45,000 (DOE)

We are looking for an experienced Operations Manager to oversee the scheduling, planning and delivery of drainage operations within a highly reactive environment.

This role is pivotal to ensuring work is scheduled effectively, resources are deployed efficiently, and services are delivered safely, on time, and to a high standard.

The position combines hands‑on operational coordination with commercial awareness and would suit someone confident managing moving parts in a fast‑paced, logistics‑heavy setting.

The Role

• Plan, coordinate, and oversee daily operations involving specialist vehicles, drivers and subcontractors
• Ensure effective utilisation of fleet, drivers, and external partners
• Act as a key point of contact for subcontractors, managing availability, performance, and communication
• Provide support to field teams, resolving on‑site issues and operational challenges
• Maintain a strong understanding of specialist vehicles and equipment, including their capabilities and limitations
• Continuously review workloads and adjust plans in response to urgent callouts, delays, or changing priorities
• Work closely with internal teams to ensure smooth end‑to‑end service delivery
• Ensure all activity is carried out in line with health & safety standards and internal procedures
• Oversee jobs from planning through to completion, ensuring accurate records and documentation are maintained

Commercial & Financial Oversight

• Monitor costs and budgets for works under your control
• Manage spend across labour, equipment, subcontractors, and materials
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce costs without impacting service quality
• Support accurate job costing, invoicing, and operational reporting

Skills & Experience

• Demonstrable experience in scheduling or managing operations ideally within utilities, drainage or logistics
• Strong operational understanding of specialist vehicles and plant
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a reactive environment
• Confident communicator, able to work effectively with drivers, subcontractors, clients, and internal teams
• Calm, solutions‑focused approach when dealing with operational pressure
• Good commercial awareness with experience managing costs and budgets
• Competent with scheduling systems and office software

Personal Qualities

• Proactive and well‑organised
• Practical and detail‑oriented
• Adaptable and dependable
• Comfortable working independently while contributing positively to a wider team
• Hands‑on, can‑do approach to problem solving

Interviews are to be held immediately, so please apply today for immediate consideration!

This role is being handled by Nicole Howe, Business Support Consultants for Pearson Whiffin Recruitment.