Operations Manager – Leakage Framework in Edinburgh

Location: Scotland (Edinburgh, Lanarkshire & Borders)

Salary: To £52,000 depending on experience

Hydrosave is delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for an experienced Operations Manager to join our Leakage Framework team, supporting Scottish Water across the South Region. Covering Edinburgh, Lanarkshire and the Borders, this is a key leadership role responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient and successful delivery of operational activities while maintaining the highest standards of customer service and performance.

Reporting into the senior leadership team, you will lead and support field-based teams, drive operational excellence, champion health and safety, and contribute to the ongoing success and growth of the contract. This role offers the opportunity to make a real impact within a market-leading business that values its people, prioritises safety and continuously strives for improvement.

The Company:

Hydrosave is a leading specialist pipeline inspection, leak detection, valve maintenance and water audit company. The business is dedicated to finding new ways to optimise the efficient use, maintenance and management of water networks. Hydrosave works as a tier one framework supplier to UK water utilities and as a trusted partner to consultants, contractors and commercial water customers. Focusing purely on underground infrastructure, innovation and specialist expertise is the focus: our people are water industry experts with unparalleled experience and in-depth knowledge of their technical disciplines.

The Role:

As Operations Manager, you will take ownership of the day-to-day operational performance across the South Region, ensuring contractual obligations are met while maintaining high standards of quality, service and efficiency. You will be responsible for creating a positive and engaging working environment, supporting the development of your teams and ensuring employees have the tools, training and support they need to succeed.

Health, Safety and Wellbeing will be at the forefront of everything you do. You will play a leading role in promoting a strong safety culture, implementing best practices and ensuring compliance across all operational activities. You will also work closely with the Executive Team to manage budgets, monitor performance and identify opportunities to improve efficiencies and service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead operational delivery across the South Region encompassing Edinburgh, Lanarkshire and the Borders.
• Ensure contractual and client requirements are consistently achieved.
• Drive operational performance, productivity and customer service excellence.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and identify opportunities for increased efficiency.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Scottish Water and other key stakeholders.
• Champion a positive and proactive safety culture across all areas of the business.
• Ensure all work activities are delivered safely and in line with company policies and procedures.
• Support accident and incident investigations, reporting and root cause analysis.
• Monitor trends and implement actions to improve the overall risk profile.
• Participate in leadership safety audits, toolbox talks and safety communications.
• Work closely with teams to ensure training and compliance requirements are maintained.
• Lead, motivate and develop operational teams to deliver exceptional performance.
• Work closely with the Training Manager and Field Team Leaders to ensure employees receive appropriate training and development.
• Create an inclusive and supportive working environment where individuals can thrive.
• Conduct regular 1:1 meetings and performance reviews.
• Support succession planning, employee engagement and career development initiatives.
• Effectively manage employee relations matters where required.
• Support delivery of operational and financial targets.
• Work with the Executive Team to manage budgets and mitigate risks.
• Review monthly performance and profit and loss information.
• Ensure accurate operational data is provided to support payment applications and reporting requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and commercial performance.

What You'll Need:

Essential Experience & Skills

• Proven experience in an Operations Manager or similar leadership role.
• Strong background in Health, Safety and Wellbeing management.
• Demonstrable people management experience, with the ability to motivate and develop teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong organisational, planning and prioritisation abilities.
• Experience analysing operational and financial performance data.
• Ability to influence, drive change and improve business performance.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent numeracy and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret and understand complex information quickly and accurately.

Desirable

• Experience within the water industry, utilities sector or field operations environment.
• Leakage management experience.
• Experience using Power BI or advanced Excel reporting tools.
• Knowledge of Scottish Water contracts and frameworks.

What You’ll Get in Return:

• Family-Friendly Leave Enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity & Shared Parental Leave, Fertility Support, and up to 5 paid Carer’s Days.
• Financial & Life Assurance Company Pension Scheme with salary sacrifice options.
• Health & Wellbeing Employee Assistance Programme and 24/7 Virtual GP access for you.
• Lifestyle & Perks Cycle to Work Scheme and My Premier Benefits discounts, cashback, and vouchers.
• Professional Development Hands-on training and ongoing career development opportunities.
• Inclusion & Belonging Active People Networks – Disability & Neurodiversity, Unity+, Women’s Network, Parent & Carer Networking Group, Armed Force Network and more.
• Performance & Recognition Annual salary review, Reward & Recognition Scheme, and Long Service Awards.

At South Staffordshire Limited, inclusion matters. We have a wide range of employee networks which are employee-led communities that bring our people together, support different perspectives and create a strong sense of belonging. Our people are encouraged to get involved as members or allies. We are committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including all genders, ethnicity, sexual orientations, and physical and neurodiverse abilities.