Operations Manager (Director Designate)

Orion Electrotech; Chiswick; Hybrid; GBP 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in Industrial Automation seeks an Operations Manager (Director Designate) to oversee its Software & Automation division. This hybrid role involves managing large-scale SCADA and PLC projects across various sectors including tunnels and ports. Candidates should have strong leadership skills and substantial knowledge in project management within technical environments.

Benefits

5% employer pension contribution

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Ongoing professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Degree or HNC/HND in relevant technical area required.
• Hands-on experience with SCADA and PLC systems needed.
• Leadership and project management skills essential.

Responsibilities

• Oversee project delivery from design to completion.
• Lead engineering teams in resource planning and development.
• Engage in business growth and team expansion.

Skills

SCADA knowledge

PLC-based control systems

Project management

Leadership

Communication skills

Education

Degree, HND or HNC in a relevant technical discipline

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Operations Manager (Director Designate)

£100,000 Bonus Software & Automation Projects SCADA / PLC / M&E Integration
Location: Hybrid Home-based with travel to London or Manchester Offices
Sector: Industrial Automation / Control Systems / Software Integration
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager (Director Designate) to lead the Software & Automation division, delivering integrated SCADA/PLC/M&E projects for large-scale infrastructure sectors including tunnels, ports, airports, and the built environment.

In this senior-level, hybrid role, youll take ownership of a diverse project portfolio while also playing a hands-on leadership role in delivery, team development, and business growth. The successful candidate will be positioned to progress into a Director-level role, joining the Board and contributing to strategic and operational direction.

Key ResponsibilitiesProject Delivery & Client Management

• Serve as the senior point of contact for key clients and lead project progress meetings.

• Oversee full lifecycle project delivery from scoping and design through to completion.

• Collaborate with technical leads to review documentation (e.g., FDS, QA plans, consultancy reports).

• Ensure projects are delivered on time, to specification, and within budget.

• Provide accurate billing inputs and manage project finances and WIP reporting.

Team Leadership & Resource Planning

• Lead and mentor multi-disciplinary engineering teams (software and hardware).

• Ensure effective workforce planning, resource allocation, and team development.

• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, compliance, and quality.

Strategic Development & Growth

• Support strategic business development initiatives, including proposal input and client liaison.

• Play a leading role in team expansion through recruitment, onboarding, and capability-building.

• Contribute to the organisations transition from founder-led to director-led leadership structure.

Essential

• Degree, HND or HNC in a relevant technical discipline.

• Strong knowledge of SCADA and PLC-based control systems, including integration with M&E systems.

• Hands-on software development experience, with a strong interest in new technologies.

• Proven project management expertise, including contract awareness and budget management.

• Experience working within ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 quality and safety frameworks.

• Demonstrated leadership skills in managing and developing engineering teams.

• Proficient with MS Office and planning tools.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Flexibility to work varied hours and attend client sites when needed.

• Full UK (or equivalent) driving licence.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to provide five years of verifiable employment/education history.

• Two referees required to verify technical and management capabilities.

Terms & Benefits

• Salary: £100,000 per annum annual bonus

• Pension: 5% employer contribution

• Leave: 25 days annual leave bank holidays Christmas shutdown

• Work Pattern: Hybrid (home office-based) with travel as required

• Training: Ongoing professional development opportunities

If you are an experienced Operations Manager, we would love to hear from you. Apply today to be part of a team dedicated to excellence and innovation.

INDMAN

Thank you for your application. Due to the volume of applications, we receive, unfortunately, we are not able to respond to every application personally, therefore, if you have not heard back from us within 5 working days, please assume your application has been unsuccessful. To see our other available vacancies please visit our website.