Technical Operations Manager

Wolviston Management Services Limited; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Wolviston Management Services Limited is seeking an experienced Technical Operations Manager to lead our water treatment operations in Hartlepool and on client sites. You will provide hands-on technical leadership to field engineers and ensure delivery of complex projects to high safety and regulatory standards.

Key requirements include strong water treatment knowledge, leadership and people management, and a proven ability to manage budgets, schedules and client relationships.

Qualifications

• Experience in the water treatment industry.
• Strong knowledge of closed systems, cooling towers and boiler water treatment.
• Experience with pre-commission cleaning, disinfection and remedial works.
• Proven track record managing field-based engineers.
• Ability to deliver complex technical projects within budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, coordination and delivery of water treatment projects.
• Provide technical and operational support to engineers and site teams.
• Attend customer sites to oversee high-risk works.
• Lead from quotation to project mobilization, execution and completion.
• Coach and develop engineers, ensure safe working and compliance.
• Maintain project documentation and reporting.

Skills

Water treatment expertise

Technical leadership

People management

Project delivery

Regulatory compliance

Client communication

Budget & scheduling

Job description

Technical Operations Manager

Location: Hartlepool, Co Durham

Contract Type: Permanent / Full Time

Closing Date: Oct 30th, 2026

Ref: 1734985

Technical Operations Manager - Water Treatment

Wolviston Management Services are proud to be supporting our client in the recruitment of an experienced Technical Operations Manager to join their established and growing water treatment operation.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced water treatment professional who combines strong technical expertise with operational leadership and people management skills.

The role will take responsibility for the successful delivery of complex water treatment projects and service activities, while providing hands-on technical leadership to a team of field-based engineers. You will maintain a strong presence across customer sites, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest technical and regulatory standards.

The Role

As Technical Operations Manager, you will play a key role in leading operational delivery across water treatment projects, installations, remedial works and technical service activities.

Working closely with engineers, technicians, customers and senior management, your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the planning, coordination and delivery of water treatment projects and technical service activities
• Providing technical and operational support to field-based engineers and site teams
• Attending customer sites to oversee complex, high-risk and technically challenging works
• Taking the operational lead from quotation and mobilisation through to project execution and completion
• Providing technical troubleshooting across water treatment systems, dosing equipment, cooling towers, closed systems, steam boilers and chlorine dioxide plant
• Taking full line management responsibility for a team of water treatment and hygiene engineers
• Conducting site inspections, audits and quality assurance reviews
• Coaching, mentoring and developing engineers to strengthen technical capability across the team
• Ensuring engineer competency assessments and associated documentation are completed
• Supporting emergency callouts, critical incidents and major project activities when required

Project Delivery

You will take ownership of complex and high-value projects from initial planning through to successful completion, including:

• Coordinating labour, materials, subcontractors and specialist resources
• Monitoring project budgets, programmes, quality and overall performance
• Ensuring projects remain on schedule and are delivered to the required standards
• Maintaining accurate project documentation and reporting
• Providing clear and professional communication with customers throughout delivery

Health, Safety & Quality

Safety, compliance and quality will be central to the position.

You will ensure operations remain compliant with relevant legislation and industry standards, including ACOP L8 and HSG274, while supporting the organisation’s wider quality management requirements.

Responsibilities will include:

• Reviewing and updating RAMS and safe systems of work
• Conducting risk assessments and site safety inspections
• Investigating incidents and implementing appropriate corrective actions
• Maintaining high standards of operational documentation
• Supporting compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001
• Leading by example and promoting a strong culture of safe, professional working

About You

We are looking for an experienced water treatment professional who can combine technical knowledge with confident operational and people leadership.

You should bring:

• Experience within the water treatment industry
• Strong chemical and technical knowledge of closed systems, cooling towers and boiler water treatment
• Experience of pre-commission cleaning, disinfection and remedial works
• Previous experience managing and developing field-based engineers
• Proven experience delivering complex technical projects
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving capability
• A strong understanding of water hygiene and regulatory compliance
• Excellent client relationship and communication skills
• Commercial awareness and the ability to manage projects against budgets and timescales

Key Strengths

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong capability across:

• Technical leadership
• Operational management
• Project management
• Team leadership and development
• Client relationship management
• Commercial awareness
• Problem solving and decision making