Repairs Operations Manager (Housing) in Manchester

We are looking to recruit an Operations Manager – Repairs to lead the delivery of our housing repairs service across the Manchester and Lancashire region. In this role, you will be responsible for meeting all KPIs and contractual commitments, driving a strong first‑time‑fix culture, and ensuring our workforce is effectively resourced, motivated, and supported to deliver excellent service to our customers. Based out of our Manchester office, the successful candidate will work across Manchester and Lancashire, with occasional opportunities for home working.

What you can expect from us:

• We offer a competitive salary of £57,500 per annum
• 32 days annual leave plus bank holidays - a total of 40 days paid holiday per annum which is equivalent to 8 weeks
• Salary Finance - access both short and long terms loans, plus provides access to a savings facility
• Opportunity to further increase annual leave with service or through the holiday purchase scheme
• Immediate entry to our Pension scheme (matched contributions up to 10%)
• A great flexible working environment, with a range of family friendly policies
• Simply Health cash plan with financial benefits and the option to extend to your family
• Cover includes dental, optical, physiotherapy, 24HR private GP access and much more
• Paid leave for absence including sickness, maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Access of up to £150 annually through the ‘Learning for life’ scheme
• Access to a wide range of discounts and cash back offers, ranging from retail and automotive to holidays and cycle to work scheme
• Develop your career with support and access to training and qualifications

Key Responsibilities:

• Delivery & Quality: Manage day-to-day repairs teams to deliver quality, customer‑focused services and ensure effective quality control and quality assurance on the work carried out
• Resources: Manage productivity and work planning systems to ensure robust use of all resources including supply chain; lead teams to identify improvements and provide support to direct reports
• Financial & Value for Money: Achieve key operational and financial targets; identify and implement new streams of business or operational areas to maximise value for money
• Health & Safety: Ensure safe methods of working, adherence to H&S measures, and that operatives are suitably qualified and trained
• Systems: Maintain appropriate systems and controls to support project delivery, continuous improvement and risk management
• Management, Leadership and Culture Change: Manage budgets, resources and priorities; drive culture change based on Onward values
• Partnership Working: Develop internal and external partnerships to represent the organisation and advocate for customers

What skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours are we looking for:

Essential:

• Experience of managing a similar construction trade based maintenance business
• Proven ability to deliver a quality customer centred repairs service
• Commercial knowledge and understanding
• Ability to effectively manage productivity and resource/work planning
• Ability to manage an effective supply chain
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and customers
• Experience of managing and leading a team operating to a high level of performance in a diverse organisation

Qualifications:

Essential:

• HNC in Building or Construction
• Relevant IOSH Health and Safety qualification and/or experience

Desirable:

• BSc Building and Construction or Level 6 CIOB, Chartered Surveyor or Equivalent Qualification
• Recognised Trade Qualification