Senior Operations Manager
Job Title: Senior Operations Manager
Location: Port of Grangemouth
Hours: Full time, with flexibility for occasional weekend working
Compensation: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus and private medical cover
At Forth Ports, we keep trade, logistics, and infrastructure moving. Every day, our teams support the flow of goods, materials, and services that businesses and communities rely on, helping to power economic growth across the UK and beyond. Our people are at the core of everything we do, and their expertise, commitment, and innovation drive our success.
With our commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2032 and Net Zero by 2042, we're investing heavily in sustainable and digital technologies, including major growth in offshore wind and greener port operations. For you, this means joining a business that's evolving, ambitious, and making a real difference.
About the role
As part of the Port of Grangemouth leadership team, you will lead and coordinate a broad range of operational activities across the container terminal, general cargo, rail, warehousing and distribution. Working closely with the Asset Manager - Grangemouth, you will help deliver safe, efficient and commercially successful operations while building strong relationships with customers, colleagues and port users.
This is a senior, visible leadership role for someone who combines sound operational judgement with a strong safety ethos, commercial awareness and a continuous improvement mindset.
Key responsibilities
- Plan, organise and oversee port operations across container terminal vessel and landside activity, general cargo and projects, CFS, rail, warehousing and distribution.
- Ensure operational and administrative processes are followed, using the Terminal Operating System, live plant data and Power BI to support decisions, accurate reporting and revenue capture.
- Monitor productivity and performance across vessel operations, landside activity, stock control, supervisory performance, HMRC-related reporting and health and safety KPIs.
- Drive continuous improvement across operational and administrative processes, identifying practical opportunities to improve safety, service, productivity and cost control.
- Support delivery of revenue and profit growth targets and work with colleagues to identify and secure new business opportunities.
- Build effective senior-level customer relationships, resolve operational issues and support negotiations on rates, KPIs and service levels.
- Lead, motivate and develop the Operations team, supporting employee development, training, attendance, capability and positive employee relations.
- Work collaboratively across departments and maintain constructive relationships with workforce and union representatives.
- Lead by example on health and safety, ensuring risks are managed, safe systems of work are in place and incidents are reported and investigated promptly.
- Oversee compliance relating to security, AEO, customs processes, hazardous goods, contractors, visitors, plant and emergency response arrangements.
What we're looking for
You will be an experienced operations leader with comprehensive knowledge of port or similarly complex operational environments. You will be comfortable balancing safety, service, people leadership, customer requirements and commercial priorities, and confident using operational data to make informed decisions.
You will be collaborative, resilient and results focused, with the ability to motivate others, solve problems and build trusted relationships. The role requires flexibility to support operational requirements, including weekend availability when needed.
Skills & Qualifications
- Comprehensive knowledge of port operations or a comparable complex logistics or industrial environment.
- Minimum IOSH certificate in Health and Safety.
- Relevant commercial experience and strong customer relationship skills.
- Proven people leadership experience, including developing teams and managing performance, attendance and employee relations matters.
- Experience of managing budgets and cost control, with an understanding of cost centre management, financial reporting and monitoring expenditure to support operational performance.
- High level of IT literacy, with the ability to use operational systems and data to support reporting and decision making.
- Strong communication, analytical, problem-solving and project management skills.
- Full UK working rights.
- Full driving licence, valid in the UK.
What Forth Ports can offer you
At Forth Ports, our people are our priority, and we are committed to creating a flexible, open, and supportive working culture. As part of our team, you will enjoy:
- A competitive salary
- Bonus
- Car allowance
- Private Medical Care
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Defined contribution pension scheme with up to 16.5% joint contribution plus life assurance at 4x salary
- In-house Occupational Health — Provides professional workplace health advice, support, and guidance for employees across all sites
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) — Delivered through Health Assured, offering 24/7, 365-day confidential wellbeing support via the Wisdom app or telephone access, covering mental health, financial advice, legal guidance, and emotional wellbeing
- Physiotherapy Support — Access to physiotherapy sessions through three external providers in Scotland, plus an onsite physiotherapist once per week in Tilbury
- An annual Christmas thank you gift of a complimentary turkey or meat‑free alternative for all employees
- GymFlex health club memberships offering discounted access to gyms including Nuffield Health, PureGym, Anytime Fitness, The Gym Group, and selected local gyms
- Cycle to Work scheme to support affordable, sustainable commuting
- On-site free parking available for all employees
- Attractive family-friendly policies, including enhanced maternity cover
- Employee discount platform providing savings on UK-wide restaurants, retail, car rentals, days out, and holidays
We value diversity and inclusivity, and we are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and will consider all applications for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.
As a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, we are committed to ensuring that members of the Armed Forces community are treated fairly and are not disadvantaged in their civilian careers because of their service. We welcome applications from veterans, reservists, cadet force adult volunteers, and military spouses or partners, and we actively support flexible and inclusive recruitment practices.
About the company
"As sure as the tide " - 50 years and counting – delivering outstanding results, on all manner of projects. Customers from around the world rely on our expertise to realise their ambitions.
Required Criteria
- Comprehensive knowledge of port operations or a comparable complex logistics or industrial environment.
- Minimum IOSH certificate in Health and Safety.
- Relevant commercial experience and strong customer relationship skills.
- Proven people leadership experience, including developing teams and managing performance, attendance and employee relations matters.
- Experience of managing budgets and cost control, with an understanding of cost centre management, financial reporting and monitoring expenditure to support operational performance.
- High level of IT literacy, with the ability to use operational systems and data to support reporting and decision making.
- Full driving licence, valid in the UK.
- Full right to work in the UK.
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Senior Operations Manager in Grangemouth employer: Forth Ports Limited
Forth Ports Limited is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment at the Port of Dundee where safety and reliability are paramount. Employees benefit from a strong culture of teamwork and support, with opportunities for professional growth through hands-on experience with heavy equipment and ongoing training. The company values its workforce, providing competitive benefits and the chance to be part of a vital operation that contributes to the region's economy.
