Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations in heating, plumbing, and facilities services across the South East.
- Company: Family-owned provider with a strong reputation in service delivery.
- Benefits: £100,000 salary, private medical insurance, company car, and profit share.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in senior operational leadership within service-led industries.
- Other info: Confidential search; details shared with shortlisted candidates.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 84000 £ per year.
A large, family-owned, independent provider of heating, plumbing and property services across the South East is looking to appoint an experienced Head of Operations to lead day-to-day delivery across installations, repairs and planned/reactive maintenance. This is a senior, hands-on leadership role for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, can manage dispersed field teams, and can raise performance, compliance and customer outcomes across multiple contracts.
Location: Surrey / South East (with regular travel to sites and client meetings)
Reporting to: Operations & Client Services Director
The role
You’ll take overall operational ownership for service delivery, ensuring works are completed safely, efficiently and to agreed standards / SLAs, while working closely with fellow department heads to keep teams aligned and customers satisfied.
Key responsibilities
- Operational leadership: Own day-to-day delivery across field and office functions, keeping jobs flowing and resources deployed effectively.
- Workforce management: Lead, coach and develop managers, engineers and support teams; support recruitment, training and retention.
- Planning & scheduling: Oversee job allocation, productivity, and the handling of urgent works, cancellations and resourcing gaps.
- Quality & customer experience: Monitor performance and service quality; act as an escalation point and drive lasting resolution and improvements.
- Compliance & safety: Maintain strong H&S standards and ensure adherence to relevant regulations (e.g., Gas Safe / HSE requirements and company policies).
- Performance & improvement: Report on KPIs, team output and operational risks; identify process improvements and implement better ways of working/systems.
- Commercial support: Provide operational input into mobilisation, contract delivery, tenders and growth initiatives.
What we’re looking for (essential)
- 10+ years’ senior operational leadership experience in a service-led environment (heating, plumbing, building services, FM, utilities or similar).
- Proven experience managing large, geographically spread field teams and office-based functions.
- Strong working knowledge of H&S and compliance within a regulated environment.
- Commercially minded, comfortable with budgets, costs, KPIs and operational decision-making.
- Calm under pressure, solutions-focused, and able to drive high standards and accountability.
Desirable
- Technical background/qualifications in heating, gas or building services.
- Experience with scheduling / field service management systems and process optimisation.
Package & benefits
- £100,000 basic salary
- Private medical insurance
- Company car + fuel card or car allowance
- Profit share: 1% of total profits (typically £10k–£15k p.a. based on the last two years)
This vacancy is being advertised discreetly due to the seniority of the role. Company details will be shared with shortlisted applicants only.
Head of Operations (Heating / Plumbing / Facilities Services) – S/E in Caterham employer: Arco Recruitment Ltd
Contact Detail:
Arco Recruitment Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Operations (Heating / Plumbing / Facilities Services) – S/E in Caterham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the heating and plumbing industry. Attend local events or join online forums where you can meet potential employers or colleagues who might know about openings. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its operations. Understand their values and how they align with your experience in managing field teams and ensuring compliance. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've successfully led teams and improved service delivery. Use metrics to back up your achievements – numbers speak volumes!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operations (Heating / Plumbing / Facilities Services) – S/E in Caterham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your operational leadership experience and any relevant achievements in the heating or plumbing sectors. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Head of Operations role. Share specific examples of how you've managed teams and improved performance in previous roles. Let us know what excites you about this opportunity!
Showcase Your Compliance Knowledge: Since compliance and safety are key aspects of this role, make sure to mention your experience with H&S standards and regulations. We want to know how you've maintained high standards in past positions and how you plan to do the same with us.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Don’t forget to attach all relevant documents!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arco Recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of operations management within the heating and plumbing sector. Brush up on your knowledge of compliance standards, safety regulations, and performance metrics. This will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your commitment to maintaining high standards.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading dispersed teams. Think about times when you’ve successfully coached or developed team members, managed conflicts, or improved team performance. Being able to articulate these experiences will help you stand out as a strong candidate for this senior role.
✨Be Ready to Discuss KPIs and Performance Metrics
Since the role involves reporting on KPIs and operational risks, be prepared to discuss how you’ve used data to drive improvements in past roles. Bring specific examples of how you’ve identified process inefficiencies and implemented solutions that enhanced service delivery.
✨Demonstrate Your Commercial Acumen
Familiarise yourself with the financial aspects of operations management, such as budgeting and cost control. Be ready to discuss how you’ve contributed to commercial decisions in previous roles, and how you can bring that insight to the table in this position.
