Operations Manager - Water Recycling

Anglian Water Services; Luton; On-site; GBP 57,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private health care

Pension – 21% total contribution

Virtual GP service

26 days annual leave

Life assurance

Personal accident cover

Family friendly policies

Bonus scheme

Flexible benefits and working culture

Job summary

Anglian Water Services is seeking an Operations Manager to lead and oversee the day-to-day operations of our water recycling facilities across the Dunstable/Luton/Leighton Buzzard area. You will ensure efficient resource management, regulatory compliance, and process optimization to enhance sustainability.

The role requires extensive experience in water recycling environments or a degree with leadership capability, plus strong communication, safety awareness, and the ability to work autonomously

Qualifications

• Experience in Water Recycling environment in a leadership role or degree-level qualification with leadership capability.
• Strong written and verbal communication to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Customer service mindset and ability to liaise with multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to perform under pressure and prioritize effectively.
• Health & Safety qualifications (e.g., IOSH) or strong understanding of H&S legislation.

Responsibilities

• Ensure environmental compliance and regulatory requirements are met.
• Maintain familiarity with current issues and resource planning.
• Promote collaboration across catchment areas.
• Develop employees through coaching to meet standards and control costs.
• Prevent and manage operational incidents.
• Maintain assets per SLAs and policy.
• Ensure compliance with Water Recycling Procedures.
• Build relationships with regulators and customers.

Skills

Water recycling

Leadership

Communication

Customer service

Health & safety

Autonomous working

Teamwork

Driving licence

Education

Degree level

Job description

Operations Manager - Water Recycling

Circa £57,000-£64,000 depending on skills and experience + car allowance

Permanent, Full time with flexibility for part-time - 37 hours a week

Location: Covering Dunstable/Luton/Leighton Buzzard and surrounding areas

We offer a wide range of benefits including Private health care, Virtual GP service for you and your household. Generous pension scheme – we double-match your contributions, up to 7% giving you 21% combined contribution

For a great career just add water!

Are you passionate about water sustainability and seeking an opportunity to make a meaningful impact?

We're looking for a dedicated Operational Manager to lead our Water Recycling team!

As the Operations Manager, you'll play a pivotal role in leading the team and overseeing the day-to-day operations of our water recycling facilities. You will be responsible for ensuring the efficient and effective management of resources, maintaining compliance with regulations, and optimizing operational processes to maximize efficiency and sustainability.

Why Anglian Water?

Here at Anglian Water, we are one of the leading providers of water and water recycling services in the UK and our organisation is an industry benchmark for quality and customer service. But what makes us unique is our commitment to providing the development people need to make a real difference. Our career opportunities provide on-going learning and professional development within a challenging work environment, which provides a vital service for our customers.

We invest in our people - as a valued employee, you’ll be entitled to:

• Personal private health care


• Generous double match pension – contribute 7% and Anglian Water will contribute 14%, giving a total contribution of 21%


• 24-hour Virtual GP service for you and your household


• 26 days annual leave – rising with length of service and the ability to buy more


• Life assurance (up to 8 x salary)


• Personal accident cover (up to 5 x salary)


• Excellent family friendly policies, such as 26 weeks full pay for maternity / adoption leave, as well as 4 weeks paid paternity / partner leave. Opportunity for shared parental pay


• Bonus scheme


• Flexible benefits and working culture to support your wellbeing and lifestyle.

What does it take to be an Operations Manager?

• Extensive experience of Water Recycling environment (ideally) within a proven leadership role or educated to degree level with the capability of leading a team


• Strong communicator (both written and verbal) - someone who can tailor their communication style to suit a wide range of internal and external stakeholders


• Customer service skillset- Ability to liaise and work with multi-disciplinary teams in an empathetic and professional manner


• Ability to work in high-pressure situations showing resilience as well as prioritisation skills


• Health and Safety qualification such as IOSH or have a strong understanding of the importance of H&S legislation and its application in the workplace


• Confident working autonomously as well as being a strong team player and an advocate of collaboration


• In depth understanding of Water Recycling process technology would be desirable


• Experience of financial management would be advantageous


• Flexible approach to work as this role includes an element of management standby


• Full UK Driving Licence

Key duties will include:

• Ensure that processes are operating to deliver environmental compliance and other regulatory requirements


• Carry out active management to maintain familiarity with current issues and resource requirements.


• Champion a collaborative approach across catchment areas


• Develop employees by active coaching in the workplace to ensure compliance at optimum cost and maintain standards.


• Prevent and effectively manage operational incidents


• Ensure assets are maintained in accordance with service level agreements and company policy


• Ensure compliance with responsibilities under Water Recycling Procedures


• Establish and build relations with regulators and customers (Environment Agency, Environmental Health and the Health and Safety Executive includes, County, District and Parish Councils etc.)


• Identify capital investment needs and promote business cases.


• Ensure Health, Safety and Welfare of all employees through implementation of relevant Company policies.


• Manage appropriate and effective allocation of costs (revenue and capital).

Inclusion at Anglian Water

Join us and make a difference. Our customers come from a wide range of backgrounds, and we think our workplace should reflect that. We are committed to making sure all our colleagues feel they belong and are supported to succeed. Together with our fellow water companies, we are committed to the Social Mobility Pledge; we are also a signatory to Business in the Community’s Race at Work charter; we hold the Armed Forces Gold Covenant for Employers; we are an accredited Disability Confident employer, and we play a leading part in the Women’s Utility Network.

Join us in making a positive impact on water management and environmental conservation.

Closing date: 04/11/2026

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