Operations Manager

Cadent Foundation; Willenhall; Hybrid; GBP 67,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible benefits

Holiday allowance 25 days

Bonus up to 15%

Pension matching 12%

Job summary

Cadent seeks an Operations Manager to lead the safe and efficient delivery of mains replacement, diversion, reinforcement and service replacement across a designated area of the West Midlands. You will oversee contractor performance, safety, customer service and programme delivery to ensure work is completed safely, on time, within budget and to high technical standards.

You will manage delivery partners, aim to improve safety, customer outcomes and cost-effective project delivery, with strong

Qualifications

• Operational Management experience in gas, utilities, construction, infrastructure or similar engineering environment.
• Proven delivery record of safety, customer, programme and financial targets in a regulated environment.
• Technical knowledge of gas distribution operations, replacement programmes and contractor performance management.
• Regulatory understanding of CDM, NRSWA and health, safety & environmental management systems.
• Stakeholder management across contractors, Local Delivery Partners, Local Authorities and internal teams.
• Leadership capability with strong communication, performance management and continuous improvement experience.
• Qualifications including IOSH, SHEA Gas, Project Management and a management qualification (e.g. ILM) or equivalent experience.
• Industry competencies such as Street Works (Units 10-16), SCO Levels 1, 2 & 5, and a Gas Distribution qualification or equivalent operational gas engineering knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead Safe Delivery and ensure replacement and construction activities are delivered safely and efficiently per policies and regulatory requirements.
• Drive programme performance with oversight of replacement programmes, ensuring plans are resourced and delivered to targets.
• Provide operational leadership across delivery partners and contractors to drive safety, customer, technical and commercial performance.
• Shape project success by collaborating with design, programme and delivery teams for cost-effective, timely outcomes.
• Champion compliance with CDM, NRSWA and health, safety & environmental obligations.
• Enhance customer experience by minimising disruption and resolving complaints effectively.

Job description

Title: Operations Manager

Location: Hybrid between Planetary Rd, Wolverhampton (WV13 3

Advertised Salary: Circa £74,000 depending on skills & experience

Job Function: Operations

Working Hours: 37

Location Type: Hybrid

Contract Type: Permanent

Req ID: 2977

Posting End Date: 4/9/26

Hybrid between Planetary Rd, Wolverhampton (WV13 3XA) & Home with regular travel across West Midlands Network

Lead Safe Delivery and Drive Operational Excellence

As the UK's largest gas distribution network, Cadent plays a vital role in keeping communities connected and businesses running. Our replacement and reinforcement programmes are critical to maintaining a safe, reliable and future‑ready gas network.

We’re looking for an Operations Manager to lead the safe and efficient delivery of mains replacement, diversion, reinforcement and service replacement activities across a designated area of the West Midlands. You’ll provide operational leadership across contractor performance, safety, customer service and programme delivery, ensuring work is completed safely, on time, within budget and to the highest technical standards.

Why you'll love this role

• Lead Safe Delivery by ensuring all replacement and construction activities are delivered safely and efficiently in line with company policies, SCO procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Drive Programme Performance through effective oversight of replacement programmes, ensuring projects are assessed, planned, resourced and delivered against targets.
• Provide Operational Leadership across delivery partners and contractors, driving excellence in safety, customer, technical and commercial performance.
• Shape Project Success by working closely with design, programme and delivery teams to ensure cost-effective and timely outcomes.
• Champion Compliance by ensuring adherence to CDM Regulations, NRSWA requirements and all relevant health, safety and environmental obligations.
• Enhance Customer Experience by minimising disruption, resolving complaints effectively and delivering excellent customer outcomes.
• Provide Assurance and Governance through visible site leadership, performance monitoring and compliance with agreed standards and specifications.
• Build Strategic Relationships with Local Delivery Partners, Local Authorities and key stakeholders to support operational performance and future growth.

What You'll Bring

• Operational Management Experience gained within gas, utilities, construction, infrastructure or a similar engineering environment.
• Proven Delivery Record of achieving safety, customer, programme and financial performance targets within a regulated environment.
• Technical Knowledge of gas distribution operations, replacement programmes and contractor performance management.
• Regulatory Understanding of CDM Regulations, NRSWA and Health, Safety & Environmental management systems.
• Stakeholder Management Skills with the ability to build effective relationships across contractors, Local Delivery Partners, Local Authorities and internal teams.
• Leadership Capability with strong communication, performance management and continuous improvement experience.
• Relevant Qualifications, including IOSH, SHEA Gas, Project Management and a management qualification (e.g. ILM) or equivalent experience.
• Industry Competencies, such as Street Works (Units 10-16), SCO Levels 1, 2 & 5, and a Gas Distribution qualification or equivalent operational gas engineering knowledge.

Disclaimer

While the closing date is set as mentioned, we reserve the right to close the application process earlier if necessary, depending on the unique circumstances of each role.

At Cadent, we’re thrilled to be part of the future of UK energy!

We have a clear roadmap to drive our performance to the forefront of our industry and support the UK government in achieving its net zero targets by 2050.

We’re making a difference through innovation and new ways of working. Together, we’re shaping a cleaner, greener future for our 11 million customers, whom we put at the heart of everything we do.

What’s In It For You

• MyChoices, our flexible benefits programme, gives you access to a range of salary sacrifice benefits, including Private Medical Insurance for you and your family, plus a 24/7 Bupa HealthLine.
• 25 days’ holiday, plus 8 statutory days and an option to buy or sell holiday days
• An Annual Performance Bonus of up to 15% of your salary
• A generous pension scheme where the company double matches your contributions up to 12% i.e. if you contribute 6% a month, the company will contribute 12%
• A competitive salary that’s reviewed each year against the market median salary for your role, skills, knowledge and experience
• Generous family policies and flexible benefits
• A free Employee Assistance Line where you can get support and advice on any of the challenges you’re facing, completely confidentially
• Support to help you cover the cost of professional membership subscriptions, course fees, books, examination fees and time off for study leave – so long as it’s relevant to your role
• Plus many more benefits that help you join the dots between your work and home life!

We support a healthy work-life balance and are open to flexible working options.

Diversity and Inclusion

Don’t meet every requirement? No problem! If you’re excited about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification mentioned, we would still love for you to submit your application – you may just be the right person for this role or other opportunities at Cadent.

We value diversity and are committed to being an equitable employer. Our employee communities – Women in Cadent, Pride at Work (LGBTQ+), Embrace (ethnicity and religion), Thrive! (disability), the Cadent Military Community, the Grief Awareness Community, and the Men’s Engagement Network (M.E.N) – can’t wait to welcome you!

As a proud Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for the vacancy. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process and we will ensure that support is provided.