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- Tasks: Lead wharf operations, manage boat logistics, and ensure excellent customer experiences.
- Company: Join a family-run canal boating business with a friendly team.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, company pension, and discounted mooring.
- Why this job: Work outdoors, develop leadership skills, and enjoy a unique canal environment.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership, practical boating knowledge, and good communication skills.
- Other info: Opportunities for progression and involvement in winter maintenance.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 ÂŁ per year.
Foxhangers is a long‑established, family‑run canal boating business based near Devizes, Wiltshire. With a fleet of 18 hire boats and a team of around 30 staff, we deliver memorable canal holidays while also building, repairing and maintaining boats on site. We’re looking for a Hire Boat Wharf Operations Manager to play a central role in our growing business. This is a varied, hands‑on position for someone who enjoys leading people, solving practical problems and creating great customer experiences in a unique outdoor environment.
What You’ll Be Doing
- March–November: Operational Season
- You’ll take the lead in coordinating all wharf operations and ensuring the smooth turnaround of our hire fleet.
- On busy handover days you’ll act as the operational lead on site — managing boat movements, directing engineers and housekeeping teams, and ensuring customers receive a warm, well‑organised welcome.
- December–February: Winter Maintenance (Optional)
- During the winter period, the role shifts to planned maintenance and refit work. You can either take this period off, or continue working on fleet maintenance tasks — ideal for someone seeking a balanced, seasonal working pattern.
Key Responsibilities
- Operational Season
- Leading, motivating and supporting engineers, cleaners and wharf operatives.
- Overseeing customer handovers and welcome‑backs.
- Maintaining high standards of health & safety across the site.
- Planning boat logistics and movements on changeover days.
- Coordinating engineering tasks, call‑outs and maintenance priorities.
- Supporting housekeeping to maintain excellent interior standards.
- Preparing schedules, monitoring stock levels and maintaining operational records.
- Winter Responsibilities (Optional)
- Supporting planned maintenance, repairs and refit work.
- Overseeing deep cleans and interior refreshes.
- Preparing the fleet for the new season.
- Assisting with small improvement projects around the wharf.
About You
- We’re looking for someone with strong leadership skills and practical boating knowledge, ideally with experience supervising staff in a customer‑facing or operational environment.
- Supervisory or team leadership experience.
- Clear, confident communication with staff and customers.
- Understanding of boat systems (training provided where needed).
- Practical, hard‑working and able to prioritise under pressure.
- Fit and agile for an active outdoor role.
- Flexible with working hours (mainly Fri/Sat/Mon from 8am until final handover, plus Tuesday mornings).
- Full clean driving licence.
- Plumbing or basic woodwork skills.
- First Aid certificate (or willingness to train).
- Computer literacy for scheduling and record‑keeping.
Progression & Development
As our business continues to grow, there is scope for this role to develop. Depending on your strengths and interests, opportunities may include:
- Taking on additional operational responsibility.
- Supporting the training of seasonal staff.
- Becoming more involved in winter maintenance planning.
- Leading small fleet improvement projects.
Progression is based on trust, experience and the contribution you bring to the team.
Hours, Salary & Benefits
- Average 32 hours per week (some longer days in season; reduced hours or optional winter break Dec–Feb).
- Option to take December–February off, or work through the winter on maintenance.
- Company pension scheme.
- Discounted on‑site mooring.
- A varied, outdoor role within a friendly, family‑run team.
- A beautiful working environment right on the Kennet and Avon Canal.
- Anticipated start date: April/May 2026.
How to Apply
If you think this could be the opportunity for you, please write to us telling us how your qualifications, skills, and experience make you suited to this position, be sure to mention your earliest availability and whether you would need to work any notice to any current employer. Please also enclose a full employment history CV. We look forward to hearing from you.
Hire Boat Wharf Operations Manager in Devizes employer: Foxhangers Ltd
Contact Detail:
Foxhangers Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Hire Boat Wharf Operations Manager in Devizes
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Foxhangers. Understand their values, mission, and what makes them unique in the canal boating business. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your leadership stories! Since this role is all about leading teams and solving problems, think of specific examples from your past experiences where you’ve successfully managed a team or tackled a tricky situation. We want to hear those stories!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your practical skills! If you have any hands-on experience with boats or maintenance, make sure to highlight that during your chat. It’s a big plus for this role, and we love seeing candidates who can get stuck in.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! At the end of your interview, have a few questions ready about the role or the team. It shows you’re engaged and keen to learn more about how you can contribute to the Foxhangers family.
We think you need these skills to ace Hire Boat Wharf Operations Manager in Devizes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Boating: When writing your application, let your love for boating shine through! Share any personal experiences or knowledge you have about boats and canal holidays. This will help us see how well you fit into our family-run business.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: We’re looking for someone who can lead and motivate a team. In your application, give examples of how you've successfully managed people in the past. This will show us that you have what it takes to coordinate our wharf operations.
Be Clear and Concise: Make sure your application is easy to read and straight to the point. Use clear language and structure your thoughts logically. This will help us understand your qualifications and experience without any confusion.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Foxhangers Ltd
✨Know Your Boats
Brush up on your practical boating knowledge before the interview. Familiarise yourself with different boat systems and maintenance tasks, as this will show your understanding of the role and impress the interviewers at Foxhangers.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think about specific situations where you motivated staff or solved problems under pressure, as this is crucial for the Hire Boat Wharf Operations Manager position.
✨Understand Customer Experience
Since creating great customer experiences is key, be ready to discuss how you've enhanced customer satisfaction in previous roles. Share any relevant stories that highlight your ability to manage handovers and ensure a warm welcome for customers.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Expect some hands-on questions related to operational logistics and health & safety standards. Prepare to discuss how you would handle busy changeover days and coordinate tasks among engineers and housekeeping teams effectively.