Plant & Equipment Hire Controller

Manchester Arndale; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

OCS UK & Ireland is seeking a dedicated Plant Hire Controller to coordinate the hire lifecycle across multiple sites. You will manage hire requests, ordering, deliveries, live-hire reviews, extensions, off-hire and collections while ensuring accurate cost control and timely closures.

The role requires strong organisation, attention to detail and outstanding communication with internal stakeholders and external suppliers. Experience with quotations, POs and Excel is preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience in plant hire control and multi-site hire administration.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Confident communication and stakeholder management.
• Experience with quotations, purchase orders, invoice reconciliation and cost tracking.
• Experience in facilities management, engineering, or construction environments is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Company-wide plant & equipment hire control
• Hire requests, ordering and delivery
• Live-hire reviews and extensions
• Off-hire and collection management
• Financial and commercial control
• Stakeholder communication and service coordination
• Supplier performance, governance and assurance
• Reporting and continuous service improvement

Skills

Plant hire control

Organisational skills

Stakeholder management

Cost tracking

Tools

Excel

Job description

About The Role:

Days of Working: Monday to Friday (37.5 hours per week)

Role purpose:

To provide central coordination, visibility and control of plant and equipment hire across OCS, managing the full hire lifecycle from initial request and ordering through to delivery, ongoing review, off-hire, collection and financial closure.

The role will act as the central point of contact for internal stakeholders and external hire suppliers, ensuring operational requirements are met through efficient communication, accurate administration and proactive cost control.

A key priority will be to prevent avoidable hire charges arising from missed or delayed off-hires, unapproved extensions, poor communication or incomplete administration, ensuring equipment is retained only for as long as required and all hire arrangements are brought to an effective, documented conclusion.

Every hire must have a named operational owner, an approved cost and duration, a review date and a documented closure process.

Essential experience, knowledge and skills:

• Experience in plant hire control, equipment rental coordination or a comparable high-volume, multi-site hire administration role, with a practical understanding of hire terms, off-hire processes, extensions, transport arrangements and additional charges.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple live hires, competing priorities and time-critical actions.
• Confident communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to challenge unnecessary costs, obtain decisions and elevate unresolved actions professionally.
• Experience with quotations, purchase orders, invoice reconciliation and cost tracking, supported by sound numerical skills and competence in Excel, reporting and relevant procurement or hire-management systems.

The successful candidate will be proactive, accountable and service-focused, with the judgement to recognise matters requiring operational, commercial or technical escalation.

Desirable experience:

Experience within facilities management, engineering, construction or another dispersed service business would be beneficial, alongside familiarity with plant, tools, powered access and associated hired equipment.

Experience of implementing central hire controls, supplier dashboards or process improvements would be advantageous. Relevant procurement, logistics or administration training, or equivalent practical experience, would also be beneficial.

Key Responsibilities:

• Company-wide plant & equipment hire control
• Hire requests, ordering and delivery
• Live-hire reviews and extensions
• Off-hire and collection management
• Financial and commercial control
• Stakeholder communication and service coordination
• Supplier performance, governance and assurance
• Reporting and continuous service improvement

About The Company:

OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering.

Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values - Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.

Why Work for OCS?

• Award-Winning Employer: Ranked 36th on Glassdoor's Best Companies to Work For 2025 - we value and motivate our people.
• Digital Learning: The OCS Academy offers digital courses and resources to help you build skills and grow your career.
• Retail Perks: With our Hapi app, you can gain access to exclusive discounts, rewards and wellbeing resources.
• Professional Growth: 600+ live learners across UK&I - Empowering colleagues with further development and qualifications!
• Flexible Pay: Access a portion of earned wages before payday with our Wagestream App! (Contract Specific)

We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.