Operations Manager - Plant Centre in Blackwell

The GB energy system is undergoing a rapid transformation as we work towards CP30 and Net Zero by 2050. At National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED), we play a vital role in this journey—connecting thousands of electric vehicles and heat pumps, integrating large-scale renewable generation, and building the network at an unprecedented pace. The Plant Centre team ensures the effective construction and delivery of our mass use plant assets across the Midlands. An exciting opportunity is available for an Operations Manager – Plant Centre based at our depot in Huthwaite. The team services the requirements of all Field Operations installs across replacement, network faults, customer connections, and network reinforcement. The assets include Transformers, automated and non-automated switching devices, and circuit breakers. This role is crucial to this activity, ensuring safe and efficient delivery of the plant building process.

Leadership is critical to our success. Our leaders set the direction, make key decisions, and drive performance to keep NGED one of the UK’s most reliable and resilient electricity distribution networks. They inspire teams, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and ensure we deliver exceptional customer service. As this is a hands-on operational role, you will need to be comfortable in a dynamic production environment overseeing the process end to end engaging with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

Main Responsibilities

• Responsible for the safety, health, environment, and wellbeing of your team.
• Leading a large multi-skilled team with approximately 20 direct and indirect reports.
• Ordering, constructing, and delivering all mass plant assets to service Field Operations reactive and planned activities to approximately £30 million per annum.
• Delivering the key performance indicators to underpin business success.
• Collaboration with stakeholders to build & deliver a work programme for each financial year.
• Deliver outstanding service to field operations reacting efficiently to all requests.
• Building a succession pipeline for yourself and your direct reports.
• Regular engagement with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Understanding of Ofgem requirements including financing, profit margins & customer service (OFGEM RIG).

Ideal Candidate

• Leadership – Proven experience of cultivating inclusive and collaborative environments across multi-disciplinary teams to drive performance.
• Customer Focus - Experience in putting customers first by understanding their needs, delivering outstanding service, and providing cost-effective solutions.
• Commercial Awareness - Demonstrable ability to apply commercial thinking to maintain cost-effectiveness while meeting incentive targets within regulatory frameworks.
• Stakeholder Engagement - Expertise in collaborating and influencing effectively across internal teams and external stakeholders within a matrix organisation to achieve business goals.
• Project Management - Effectively able to plan and oversee projects and programmes from start to finish, ensuring objectives are met and continuous improvement is driven by applying lessons learned.
• Risk Management & Problem Solving - Proven track record in managing risks through careful analysis, logical reasoning, and collaboration with stakeholders to find effective solutions.
• Supplier & Contract Management - Experience in managing suppliers and contractors to ensure timely delivery, budget adherence, and quality standards that align with key performance indicators.
• Data Management & Compliance – Able to ensure data accuracy through compliance with data policies and procedures, ensuring systems are current and can support informed decision-making.
• Safety Management – A demonstrable ability to work safely by designing and performing tasks in line with safety management systems, ensuring the protection of yourself, your colleagues, and the public.
• Qualification – The successful candidate will hold an IOSH or equivalent safety qualification (or be willing to commence this within 12 months of appointment).
• Experience within the Energy or Utility sectors is desirable but not essential.
• Travel across different sites is required and you should therefore hold a full UK/EU driving licence.

We’re National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED), the owner and operator behind the electricity distribution systems for the Midlands, the Southwest of England, and South Wales. Serving communities of more than 8 million people, our expert teams deliver heat, light, and power for homes and businesses, working outdoors with underground cables, overhead lines, and substations that operate between 230 and 132,000 volts. National Grid employs over 29,000 people worldwide. We are building an inclusive workplace, a place to actively celebrate the cultures, personalities, and preferences of our colleagues – who in turn help to build the success of our business and reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Our vision is to be at the heart of a clean, fair, and affordable energy future and we are doing this in a fast-moving industry with an increasing focus on tackling climate change, exploring new energy sources that are renewable, low carbon, and improve efficiency to meet demand.