Operations Team Leader

Yorkshire Water; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional water services company is seeking an Operational Team Leader for a 12-month fixed term contract in Sheffield. Responsibilities include leading a team of technicians to deliver solutions, ensuring safety compliance, and managing incidents. Ideal candidates will possess strong leadership skills, experience in health and safety management, and a full valid UK driving licence. The role involves a commitment to high-quality service and the potential for flexible working patterns.

Qualifications

• Experience with Health and Safety Management processes; ideally IOSH qualified.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent communication skills.
• Full valid UK driving licence required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team to achieve high performance and safety.
• Manage field resources and drive compliance with health and safety.
• Resolve incidents and coordinate investigations.

Skills

Customer-focused leadership

Health and Safety Management

Incident management

Communication skills

IT proficiency

Flexibility for 24/7 operation

Job description

Overview

Operational Team Leader – 12 month fixed term contract

Location: Sheffield area—opportunity to join the customer field Service Team at Yorkshire Water. The role will cover the Sheffield area; base will be determined by home location. There is an expectation that most of your time will be spent working from the operational depot where the team operates from.

Work type: 12 month fixed term contract. The role is 37 hours per week, providing 07:00 to 20:00 on-site cover, with weekends on a one in seven rota.

What we do

Yorkshire Water serves over 5.4 million people in the region and visitors. We provide essential water and wastewater services, protect the environment, and support communities’ health and wellbeing 24/7, 365 days a year. Customer Field Services are a key part of meeting changing customer and regulatory expectations.

The Operational Team Leader leads a team of front-line field technicians in a specific geographical area to deliver first time fix solutions to customers and environmental problems. The role ensures efficient operation of the wastewater network, prevents failures, and improves customer service. Responsibilities include managing customer issues, driving performance management, coaching resources, ensuring health and safety standards, and collaborating with stakeholders to meet regulatory targets and company goals. Overall, the role delivers high-quality solutions while maintaining compliance with internal SLAs, regulatory requirements, and budget targets.

Where you fit in

You will manage and lead a team to ensure high performance, safety compliance, and effective customer service delivery. You will be on-site managing field resources, coaching and providing feedback on procedures and behaviour, and driving health, safety, and operational performance. You will also manage commercial vehicles, resolve customer issues on the sewerage network, and implement cyclical maintenance programs for flood and pollution prevention. You will conduct procedural audits, manage operational incidents, and ensure documentation is completed within SLAs. You will have line management responsibilities and collaborate with customer service teams and key stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a field team to achieve high performance and safe working practices.
• On-site management of field resources and delivery of services to the sewerage network.
• Drive compliance with health and safety policies and regulatory requirements.
• Manage incidents, coordinate investigations, and ensure timely resolution of issues.
• Implement cyclical maintenance programs for flood and pollution prevention.
• Conduct procedural audits and maintain required documentation within SLAs.

What skills & qualifications you will need

• A passionate, customer-focused people leader who can drive productivity and efficiency while upholding customer and environmental work ethics.
• Experience with Health and Safety Management processes; ideally IOSH qualified.
• Ability to drive and embed key performance measures on pollution and flooding; capable of leading change initiatives in the field.
• Strong attention to detail, excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills; ability to build internal and external relationships.
• Experience in incident management and crisis response; ability to resolve issues promptly to protect network stability and customer service.
• Proficiency in IT and Microsoft applications.
• Full valid UK driving licence (no more than 6 points).
• Flexibility for a 24/7 operation and participation in an out-of-hours standby rota after training.

You will also benefit from having

• Understanding of sewer networks, failure modes, and solutions; relevant experience in wastewater services, utilities, or related industries.
• Knowledge of regulatory measures related to pollution, flooding, and response times.
• Technical knowledge of wastewater networks and WWS assets.
• Knowledge of company Quality systems and CRSA.

Other information

Closing Date: 16th October. Interviews: TBC. Pre-employment checks include a Basic Disclosure Check; security vetting may apply. All roles may require a medical questionnaire and further medicals. Yorkshire Water supports flexible working patterns and job share options where possible.

Yorkshire Water is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply. Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position early if needed; apply promptly.