At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to ensure safe drinking water and improve water quality across the South West.
- Company: Join South West Water, part of Pennon Group, committed to a greener future.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days annual leave, private healthcare, and a competitive pension scheme.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values diversity and offers excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public health and environmental protection while leading a dedicated team.
- Qualifications: Experience in water quality management and a relevant scientific degree required.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose. South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK's most stunning landscapes. We're proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we're working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and support farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.
Location: Plymouth / Redruth with travel across the South West region
Contract: Full Time, Permanent
Driving Licence: Full UK Driving Licence Required
Protect Public Health. Lead Technical Excellence. Shape the Future of Drinking Water.
We are looking for an experienced and inspiring Water Quality Manager to lead our Water Quality function across the western area of our South West and Bournemouth operating region. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in safeguarding drinking water quality for thousands of customers across a diverse geographical area stretching from Torbay to the Isles of Scilly. You will provide strategic, operational and technical leadership, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements while driving continuous improvement and innovation across the business.
As a trusted leader, you will empower and develop a team of technical specialists, championing our Quality First and HomeSafe principles while maintaining the highest standards of customer protection and public confidence.
What you'll be doing:
- Lead and develop a high-performing Water Quality team, creating an inclusive and positive culture focused on safety, quality and continuous improvement.
- Act as the lead expert for drinking water quality across the western operating area.
- Provide strategic direction and technical leadership to support the delivery of safe, compliant drinking water from source to tap.
- Build strong relationships with regulators, public health professionals and key stakeholders, ensuring effective reporting and liaison.
- Investigate and manage water quality incidents, events and regulatory triggers.
- Support the development and delivery of long-term drinking water quality strategies and business plans.
- Contribute to investment decisions by providing technical assessment of operational and asset-related water quality risks.
- Lead water quality activities associated with commissioning new schemes and operational changes.
- Champion Drinking Water Safety Planning and risk-based approaches across the organisation.
- Support emergency response arrangements, including out-of-hours technical advice when required.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, environmental and water quality legislation.
What we're looking for:
We're seeking a collaborative and influential leader with significant experience in water quality management or scientific operations. You'll bring:
- Extensive experience in water quality, environmental science or a related technical field.
- Proven success leading and developing professional or technical teams.
- Strong experience operating within a regulated environment.
- Demonstrable experience managing compliance, risk and regulatory stakeholder relationships.
- Exceptional communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to make evidence-based decisions.
- A positive, resilient and flexible leadership style.
Essential Qualifications:
- Relevant scientific degree (or higher qualification).
- Full UK Driving Licence.
- In-depth knowledge of water quality legislation, water treatment and distribution processes.
- Strong understanding of health and safety, regulatory and environmental requirements.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Chartered Scientist status.
- Membership of a relevant professional body such as CIWEM, IWA or RSC.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to make a genuine difference to public health and environmental protection while leading a team of dedicated professionals.
- 30 days annual leave + bank holidays
- Bonus
- Private Healthcare
- Company car or cash for car allowance
- Competitive contributory pension
- Share-save scheme
- Health benefits & wellbeing support programmes
- Group discounts
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Financial support services
- Development and training opportunities... and much more!
Closing Date: 1st September 2026. We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.
Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.
Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:
- Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
- Be You - We want you to bring your best every day. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
- Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
Water Quality Manager in Plymouth employer: All The Top Bananas
My Four Wheels is an exceptional employer, offering a rewarding career as a Trainee Driving Instructor with flexible working hours and the potential to earn up to £50,000+ annually. With comprehensive training provided through our new Training Academy, employees benefit from ongoing support and resources, ensuring a fulfilling journey towards becoming a qualified instructor while enjoying the satisfaction of teaching locally in Westfield, Surrey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Water Quality Manager in Plymouth
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We think you need these skills to ace Water Quality Manager in Plymouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for a role in environmental engineering tech, make sure to highlight your technical skills like CAD software proficiency, data analysis, or modelling techniques. These are essential for the job and should stand out in your CV and cover letter, showing how you can contribute to projects at All The Top Bananas.
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Tailor Your Application to the Role:Don't just send a generic CV and cover letter. Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Water Quality Manager at All The Top Bananas. Highlight experiences that align directly with the job description and give concrete examples of your work to demonstrate that you’re the right fit for a full-time position.
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How to prepare for a job interview at All The Top Bananas
✨Brush Up on Environmental Regulations
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest environmental regulations and standards. In an environmental engineering tech role at All The Top Bananas, you might be asked specific questions about compliance measures, so understanding these will definitely give you an edge.
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✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Be ready for behavioural questions that assess how you handle teamwork, conflict, and project management. Think of examples from your studies or practical experiences where you tackled challenges effectively, showcasing both your technical and interpersonal skills.
