At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead high-performing operations and develop a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
- Company: Join Enva, a company dedicated to protecting our planet and growing talent.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and lifestyle discounts.
- Other info: Endless career growth opportunities with comprehensive support and training.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your leadership skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience and strong people development skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Operations Manager
Application Deadline
1 September 2026
Department
Operations
Employment Type
Permanent - Full Time
Location
- Gateshead
- Description
The Operations Manager is responsible for leading safe, structured and high-performing operations across our treatment and processing activities.
This role is built for a leader who develops people first – someone who sets standards, builds capability, drives accountability and creates a culture where safety, performance and continuous improvement are embedded in everyday behaviours.
This is a hands‑on leadership role with significant influence over operational culture, team development and long-term performance.
Key Responsibilities
- People Leadership and Culture
- Build a high-performing, engaged and accountable operational team.
- Coach, mentor and develop colleagues through structured development plans and regular feedback.
- Set clear expectations, role clarity and behavioural standards.
- Lead with visibility, consistency and credibility – modelling the behaviours expected across the site.
- Create a culture of ownership, teamwork and continuous improvement.
- Safety Leadership
- Champion a safety-first mindset, ensuring all activities meet H&S legislation and internal standards.
- Lead risk assessments, safe systems of work, incident investigations and behavioural safety conversations.
- Embed proactive safety behaviours and structured safety routines across the team.
- Operational Leadership
- Own day-to-day operational delivery across treatment, processing and transfer activities.
- Ensure throughput, quality, compliance and service levels are consistently achieved.
- Maintain structured operational control through visual management, standardized work and clear escalation processes.
- Drive stability, discipline and clarity in daily operations.
- Performance and Accountability
- Deliver operational KPI’s including safety, compliance, productivity, cost control and team development.
- Use structured performance management to instill accountability and support colleagues to meet expectations.
- Ensure consistent adherence to procedures, standards and operational routines.
- Continuous Improvement
- Embed CI methodologies (Kaizen, root cause analysis) to improve productivity, quality and cost.
- Lead improvement projects focused on safety, process stability, equipment reliability and operational efficiency.
- Implement workplace organization standards to elevate operational performance.
- Stakeholder Collaboration
- Build strong relationships with internal teams including H&S, Compliance, Transport, and Commercial.
- Work collaboratively with external partners, contractors and regulators.
- Communicate clearly and proactively across all levels of the organization.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Essential
- Proven leadership experience in operational environments.
- Strong people development capability – coaching, mentoring, performance management.
- Demonstrate experience leading safety in a high risk or regulated setting.
- Strong analytical mindset with the ability to apply CI methodologies.
- Highly organized, structured and able to prioritise effectively.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Hands on leadership style.
Desirable
- NEBOSH General Certificate
- Experience in hazardous waste, waste treatment or similar regulated environments.
- Behavioural safety or culture change expertise.
- Degree qualification or equivalent.
- COTC (Hazardous Waste Transfer and Treatment.
Why Work For Enva?
Enva is committed to providing more than just jobs, we want to grow our business by offering career paths that match the aspirations of the talent that is increasingly aware of the need to protect the planet we all share.
For the right candidates, the possibilities are truly endless and we will offer all the support, training and benefits you need to help you realise your true potential.
- A competitive salary in a growing company committed to our people.
- Competitive holiday allowance.
- Company pension scheme.
- Enhanced family friendly policies.
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
- Lifestyle & leisure discounts (gym, cinema, shopping, and more).
- Employee life insurance.
- Bike2Work scheme.
- Free on-site parking.
- Holiday Purchase Scheme.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Operations Manager in Gateshead employer: Enva
Enva is an exceptional employer located in Gateshead, dedicated to fostering a culture of safety, performance, and continuous improvement. With a strong emphasis on people development, we offer comprehensive training and career growth opportunities, alongside competitive benefits such as a generous holiday allowance, a company pension scheme, and lifestyle discounts. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team that prioritises both personal and professional growth while making a positive impact on the environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager in Gateshead
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Operations Manager at Enva!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Enva or be willing to refer you for that Operations Manager position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Enva who’s on the lookout for their next Operations Manager star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Operations Manager role at Enva!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager in Gateshead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Enva. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Enva
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Enva. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
