Operations Manager

Lanes Group; Poyle; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Lanes Group is recruiting an Operations Manager for the Thames region, based in Colnbrook/Iver. You will lead the logistics teams to deliver wastewater tankering and treatment services, ensuring performance against KPIs and SLAs while maintaining compliance with HR, health & safety and data protection policies.

You will drive continuous improvement, coach regional teams, manage key client relationships and support change initiatives, with a focus on delivering excellent customer experience and

Qualifications

• Requires strong organisational and multitasking abilities.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Experience in a managerial role essential.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; full UK driving licence required.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational team to meet KPIs and SLAs.
• Promote a get-it-right-first-time culture and ensure policy compliance.
• Drive data-led decisions to improve performance and efficiency.
• Develop and deliver continuous improvement across processes and systems.

Skills

Organisational skills

Interpersonal skills

Stakeholder engagement

Managerial experience

MS Office proficiency

UK driving licence

Job description

Lanes Group is a leading nationwide utility services provider with c.5000 dedicated employees. Our diverse subsidiaries drive our success across various sectors, contributing to a remarkable turnover of over £700 million. We are committed to excellence and innovation, ensuring we provide industry leading services to our clients and stakeholders. Join us to be part of a dynamic and growing team that values diversity and fosters professional growth.

Department:

The Logistics Management Centre (LMC) provides wastewater tankering and treatment services across the Thames region, giving critical support to planned, routine, and resilience operations across the Thames Water network. The Tankering Division provides tanker transport of wastewater around the network to ensure it continues to operate. The Treatment Division supports the cleaning and treatment of wastewater infrastructure.

Purpose of the role:

Working with the Thames region, you will lead the way in delivering excellence for our customers, our stakeholders, and our people. As an Operations Manager you will bring ideas, passion and energy, and have the ability to inspire and guide your teams to succeed in delivering an essential service, measured by key metrics and standards.

Location: Colnbrook, Iver

Job Type: Full time

Hours: Monday - Friday 40hours per week

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and lead the operational team.
• Create a “get it right first time” mentality, and foster ownership and accountability to meet KPIs and SLAs.
• Ensure consistent process and policy implementation across our teams, in all aspects whether that’s HR, health and safety, data protection and so on.
• Make data led decisions, including driving performance, managing resources or identifying improvement opportunities.
• Drive the delivery of continuous improvement for our current processes and systems so we operate effectively and meet changing customer expectations, ensuring your team are led effectively through change.
• Identify skills gaps and support and train regional team mangers, reactive schedulers and regional coordinators to carry out their role effectively, including liaising with learning and development to organise workshops and training sessions.
• Influence, build and maintain strong relationships with our client, our field teams and other key stakeholders.
• Manage key escalation points where necessary.
• Create an inclusive and engaging environment where all our team are supported, valued and coached to be their very best.
• Be an advocate and role model for our people.
• Embrace and promote Lanes Group values and culture.
• Be aware of all Lanes Group policies and your responsibilities towards them.
• Undertake ad hoc projects, tasks or duties as and when required or requested by the Senior Leadership Team.
• Your contribution to the company:
• Drive delivery of key contractual KPIs
• Drive delivery of excellent customer experience for both external and internal customers – supporting the productivity and utilisation of our field teams
• Drive team engagement, supporting performance outcomes and reducing attrition
• Provide close collaboration and relationship building with our client
• Strive to be always positive and constructive
• Adhere to all company policies
• Straight talking about the facts of the situation – open discussions are the best way to find solutions
• Help others through communicating clearly
• Deliver on commitments
• Ensure that any ideas that may enhance the productivity or systems of the company are brought to the attention of Senior Management, or your colleagues

Key Requirements

Skills & Experience:

• Strong organisation skills and ability to multitask
• Strong interpersonal, relationship building, networking and communication skills
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Previous experience in a managerial role is essential
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• A full UK drivers’ licence

Desirable:

• Previous experience in change management and data analytics
• Experience in the drainage, utilities or retail industry will be beneficial

Living the Company Values

By embedding our companies core values and purpose into each role, ensures that every employee, regardless of their role or level, understands how their individual development and contributions align with our purpose of ‘improving today for a better tomorrow’.

Each role and value has an alignment to set proficiency levels and expectations; this role holder is expected to:

• Leading: Acts as a role model, shaping the learning agenda and influencing change.
• Agile: Anticipates learning needs, adjusts quickly to changing operational contexts.
• Nurturing: Supports the development of others through coaching and structured development plans.
• Engaging: Inspires and motivates learners, builds trust and credibility
• Safe & Secure: Ensures all learning is aligned to safety and compliance standards.

Equality, Diversion & Inclusion

At Lanes Group, we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. We believe that our differences make us stronger and are committed to providing equal opportunities for all employees. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups. Join us in our commitment to creating a more inclusive and diverse world.