At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive operational efficiency in repairs and maintenance within social housing.
- Company: Fast-growing property services business focused on responsive repairs.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance incentives, pension, and 23 days holiday.
- Other info: Great career progression opportunities and exposure to senior leadership.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in operational roles with strong coordination and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 55000 £ per year.
Salary: £40,000 - £55,000 inc Performance Incentive + Benefits
Location: Commutable from Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, North London, Middlesex/ Northern Home Counties
This is not a standard scheduling role. It is not purely administrative. It is not a passive coordination position. It is not suited to individuals who simply process jobs and escalate problems. This is an operational control role positioned at the centre of a fast-moving repairs and maintenance operation where productivity, workflow management, and commercial awareness directly impact performance.
Our client is seeking an experienced, confident, and highly organised Trades Contract Controller to help drive operational efficiency across responsive repairs and maintenance contracts within the social housing sector.
The Business: Our client is a fast-growing, privately owned property services business delivering responsive repairs, maintenance, disrepair, voids, and planned works contracts across the UK. The business operates in a high-volume environment where:
- Pace matters
- Responsiveness matters
- Productivity matters
- Commercial control matters
This is a business that values operational capability, accountability, and practical problem-solving. There is strong leadership visibility throughout the organisation and a genuine focus on improving operational performance through better systems, stronger people, and tighter operational control.
The Opportunity: The Trades Contract Controller role sits at the heart of daily operational delivery. You will play a key role in ensuring that field-based operatives remain productive, jobs are progressing correctly, operational issues are identified early, and workflow remains controlled throughout the day.
You will work closely with:
- Contract Managers
- Schedulers
- Supervisors
- Operational teams
- Field-based operatives
This is a role for someone who enjoys being in the middle of the operation and who thrives in fast-paced environments where priorities can change quickly. The successful individual will combine:
- Strong coordination capability
- Commercial awareness
- Operational confidence
- Excellent communication skills
- Calmness under pressure
The Role Responsibilities will include:
- Monitoring live operational workflow across repairs and maintenance contracts
- Managing and controlling operative productivity throughout the day
- Liaising directly with field-based operatives regarding job progress, delays, and operational issues
- Identifying scheduling inefficiencies and helping improve workflow planning
- Monitoring jobs that are overrunning or creating cost exposure
- Supporting operational performance against SLAs and KPIs
- Working closely with schedulers and contract managers to maintain service delivery standards
- Ensuring jobs are allocated effectively based on location, skillset, priority, and operational demand
- Escalating operational risks and service issues appropriately
- Maintaining accurate operational data and system updates
This role requires individuals who can think operationally and commercially at the same time. You will need to:
- Stay organised under pressure
- Prioritise quickly
- Communicate confidently
- Challenge issues when required
- Keep the operation moving
The Ideal Background: We are particularly interested in individuals who understand fast-paced operational environments and who can demonstrate strong workflow coordination capability. Relevant backgrounds may include:
- Repairs & maintenance
- Property services
- Social housing
- Facilities management
- Trades operations
- Logistics / transport planning
- Service delivery coordination
- Workforce planning
- Engineering service operations
The ideal candidate: Candidates with previous trade exposure or practical operational understanding will be highly advantageous. This may include individuals who have previously worked within:
- Plumbing
- Electrical
- Carpentry
- Multi-trade repairs
- Gas servicing & maintenance
- Reactive maintenance
- Property repairs
- Void property works
- Building maintenance
- Facilities maintenance
- Social housing maintenance operations
We are particularly interested in individuals who:
- Previously worked "on the tools"
- Have managed operatives or subcontractors
- Understand repairs workflows, productivity, and operational pressures
- Have progressed from trade-based or operational roles into coordination, scheduling, or control-based positions
Examples may include:
- Repairs Controllers
- Trades Controllers
- Service Delivery Controllers
- Maintenance Coordinators
- Scheduling Controllers
- Workforce Planners
- Reactive Maintenance Coordinators
- Operational Controllers
- Logistics or Planning Coordinators within field-service environments
Equally, individuals from logistics or operational scheduling environments with strong workforce planning capability and experience coordinating mobile operational teams will also be considered.
What We Are Looking For: This role requires more than administration. We are looking for individuals with:
- Confidence and operational presence
- Strong communication skills
- Commercial awareness
- Good judgement under pressure
- Energy and pace
- Strong organisational capability
- Attention to detail
- The ability to challenge constructively when required
This role would particularly suit ambitious, high-potential individuals looking to progress within a growing operational business.
The Environment: This is a visible operational role within a business that is continuing to grow. The environment is:
- Fast-paced
- Delivery-focused
- Operationally intensive
- Commercially aware
- Team-oriented
People who succeed here tend to be:
- Practical
- Proactive
- Solutions-focused
- Resilient
- Comfortable taking ownership
What's on Offer: Salary: £40,000 - £55,000
- Performance-related incentive opportunity
- Pension
- 23 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Long-term progression opportunities within a growing business
- Exposure to senior operational leadership
- Opportunity to build a long-term career within a highly active operational environment
Why Apply? This is an opportunity to join a growing business where operational performance genuinely matters. The role offers:
- Responsibility
- Visibility
- Progression potential
- Exposure to senior operational decision-making
- The opportunity to become a key part of a growing operational structure
If you are an organised, commercially aware operational professional who enjoys pace, responsibility, and keeping operations under control - we would like to hear from you.
Trades Contract Controller - Repairs & Maintenance Operations employer: Martin Veasey Talent Solutions
Contact Detail:
Martin Veasey Talent Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Trades Contract Controller - Repairs & Maintenance Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the property services and repairs sector. Attend industry events or join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its operations. Understand their workflow and challenges in repairs and maintenance. This will help you showcase your commercial awareness and operational confidence during the chat.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Role-play common interview questions with a friend or family member. Focus on articulating your experience in managing operatives and coordinating workflows effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform.
We think you need these skills to ace Trades Contract Controller - Repairs & Maintenance Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Operational Savvy: When writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience in operational control and workflow management. We want to see how you've tackled challenges in fast-paced environments and kept things running smoothly.
Be Specific About Your Skills: Don’t just list your skills; give us examples of how you’ve used them in real situations. Whether it’s managing productivity or liaising with field operatives, we love seeing concrete evidence of your capabilities.
Keep It Professional Yet Personal: While we appreciate a friendly tone, remember to keep it professional. Share your passion for the repairs and maintenance sector and why you’re excited about this role. Let your personality shine through!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Martin Veasey Talent Solutions
✨Know Your Operations
Familiarise yourself with the specific operational workflows and challenges in repairs and maintenance. Understand how productivity, scheduling, and commercial awareness play a role in the success of the operation. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and confidence during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Coordination Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed workflow and coordinated teams under pressure. Highlight situations where you identified inefficiencies and implemented solutions, as this aligns perfectly with what the company is looking for.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice clear and confident communication. Be ready to discuss how you would liaise with field-based operatives and other team members. Good communication is key in this role, so showing that you can articulate your thoughts well will set you apart.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Ability
Think of scenarios where you've faced operational challenges and how you overcame them. The company values practical problem-solving, so be prepared to discuss your approach to identifying issues and driving solutions in a fast-paced environment.