Director of Operations in Rayleigh

I'm looking for someone special. A serious A-player. Someone who can help take Best Environmental to the next level.

This is not a junior role. This is not an easy role. This will be a demanding position with one simple aim: to build a £10 million company.

I've spent the last ten years building the foundations of this business. We already have an established operational structure, a bespoke CRM system, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certifications, multiple industry accreditations and the systems and processes needed to support our growth.

We're not starting from scratch. The foundations are already in place. We're now ready to scale, and I need the right people alongside me to make that happen.

I'm looking for a genuine leader. Someone who can take ownership, make important decisions and help drive the business forward. You'll have the authority and freedom to make a real difference, and I'm looking for someone with the confidence, experience and ambition to take us to the next level.

We're not talking about putting someone on Mars! Plenty of contractors have already achieved this level of success, and there's no reason why we can't do the same.

I'm fully aware that this won't happen overnight. It will take time, dedication, commitment and a huge amount of hard work.

I'm looking for someone who shares my ambition, has a genuine hunger to succeed and is prepared to roll up their sleeves and help me scale this business.

It won't always be easy, but for the right person, it could be an incredibly rewarding opportunity, both professionally and financially.

I'm not looking for someone who simply wants another job. I'm looking for someone who wants to help build something special.

You will be responsible for:

• Operations management – Taking ownership of day-to-day operations, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, on time and profitably.
• Estimating and commercial management – Personally preparing quotations and tenders for licensed asbestos removal works, ensuring accurate pricing and sustainable margins.
• Profitability and project delivery – Controlling costs, monitoring project profitability, managing programmes, variations, valuations and final accounts, and achieving agreed financial targets.
• Leading and building our team – Managing Supervisors, Operatives and subcontractors while developing a motivated, accountable and high-performing workforce.
• Social housing and local authority growth – Developing relationships with housing associations, councils and their delivery partners, securing frameworks, long-term contracts and repeat business.
• Health, safety and compliance – Ensuring all licensed and non-licensed asbestos removal operations meet HSE requirements, legislation and industry best practice.
• Business growth and strategy – Working alongside me to build on our existing systems and infrastructure, develop relationships with Tier 1 and Tier 2 contractors, demolition contractors and social housing providers, and scale the business towards £10m turnover while maintaining profitability and operational excellence.

What I'm looking for:

You'll need extensive experience within the asbestos removal industry, particularly licensed asbestos removal, along with strong commercial and estimating skills.

One of the most important requirements is experience and established relationships within the local authority and social housing sectors, particularly housing associations. These markets are central to our growth strategy, and I'm looking for someone who understands how they operate, has a strong network of industry contacts and can help us secure long‑term contracts, frameworks and repeat business.

I see this as a critical part of achieving our £10m ambition. The right person won't just be capable of running the business; they'll also help open doors and create opportunities for sustainable growth.

As the company grows, I want someone who can help me build a winning team. That means identifying, attracting and developing talented people who share our ambition and want to be part of our success. Your existing industry contacts and relationships could be a real advantage in helping us bring the right people into the business as we expand.

Accountability is absolutely essential. I've made more mistakes in business than I can count, and I'll undoubtedly make more. What matters is being able to recognise when you've got something wrong, take responsibility, learn from it and move forward. I'm not interested in blame, excuses or finger-pointing. I want someone who takes ownership of their decisions and focuses on putting things right.

A positive attitude is equally important. There will be challenges, setbacks and difficult days along the way, but constant moaning and negativity won't get us anywhere. I'm looking for someone who approaches problems with solutions, brings energy and enthusiasm to the business and has the determination to overcome obstacles.

You must be comfortable being hands-on. This isn't a position where you'll have several Contracts Managers underneath you. You'll be directly involved in estimating, planning, managing projects and leading the operational teams.

Experience working within a larger asbestos removal contractor would be a significant advantage, particularly if you've already helped manage or scale a business operating at £5m-£10m turnover.

You don't necessarily need to have held the title of Operations Director before. I'm far more interested in what you've achieved and what you're capable of achieving.

What we're offering:

• £70,000 basic salary per annum.
• Exceptional performance-related profit-sharing opportunity, with the potential to earn up to 20% of the company's annual profit, subject to agreed performance targets and scheme terms.
• Long-term financial incentives designed to reward sustained profitability, business growth and commitment.
• Genuine responsibility and authority to run the operational side of the business.
• Flexible working arrangements based around our Rayleigh, Essex office.
• Opportunity to progress into a Managing Director position as the business grows.
• The opportunity to play a leading role in building a significantly larger and more successful company.

This is a long-term opportunity for someone who wants more than just a salary.

If you're an ambitious, commercially driven leader within the asbestos industry and believe you have what it takes to help build a £10m company, I'd like to hear from you.

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