At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in managing fuel operations at a busy terminal near Heathrow.
- Company: Join Penspen, a leader in fuel management with a focus on safety and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, great holiday entitlement, and a solid pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for career growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a critical industry while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in terminal operations and strong health & safety knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Colnbrook, Near Heathrow Airport
Onsite – Mon‑Fri Working 40 hours a week – occasional shift work required including days, nights, weekends and bank holidays.
Salary – Negotiable depending on experience.
Penspen are seeking a Terminal Manager to lead their multi‑skilled team located in the Colnbrook, Slough – Near Heathrow.
Applicants If You Have
- Right to Work in the UK
- Driving license and own vehicle to get to and from work
- Health & Safety knowledge is the number one priority
- Flexibility in working days and hours is essential
- Fuels management experience is a distinct advantage
Main Purpose Of Role
The Terminal Manager is responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of the Colnbrook rail fuel offloading facility. This role oversees all terminal activities including rail receipt, fuel handling, storage, and dispatch, ensuring adherence to safety, environmental, and regulatory standards. The postholder will lead site personnel, manage third‑party contractors, and coordinate with rail operators, suppliers, and customers to maintain uninterrupted fuel supply operations. A strong focus on operational excellence, risk management, and continuous improvement is essential.
Qualifications & Experience
- Proven experience in terminal operations, fuel storage, or bulk liquids handling
- Strong knowledge of rail logistics and offloading operations (preferred)
- Experience in COMAH-regulated environments (highly desirable)
- Demonstrated leadership and team management experience
- Understanding of UK HSE and environmental regulations
- Engineering or technical qualification
- Experience with fuel distribution networks
- Knowledge of digital terminal management systems / SCADA
Skills & Competencies
- Strong leadership and decision‑making skills
- Excellent knowledge of safety and risk management
- Operational planning and problem‑solving ability
- Stakeholder and contractor management
- Financial awareness and budget control
- Effective communication and reporting skills
Knowledge / Experience (Skills)
- Proven experience managing fuel terminals, bulk liquids, tank farm or similar high‑hazard operations, ideally including rail receipt/offloading interfaces.
- Strong understanding of process safety, hazardous area controls, safe systems of work, and contractor management.
- Experience operating and maintaining terminal equipment (e.g., pumps, valves, meters, filtration, tank gauging, loading/offloading skids) and coordinating maintenance activities.
- Working knowledge of environmental controls (spill prevention, waste management, emissions and drainage management) and regulatory compliance.
- Competent in incident investigation, root cause analysis and implementing corrective/preventative actions.
- Strong leadership skills with ability to build competence, set standards, and manage performance across shifts/coverage.
- Excellent communication skills with ability to manage interfaces with customers, rail partners, contractors and regulators.
- Computer literate with experience in CMMS/EAM and reporting tools (e.g., maintenance systems, spreadsheets, operational dashboards).
Responsibilities
- Operational Management: Oversee day‑to‑day terminal operations including rail unloading, tank storage, and product transfer. Ensure efficient scheduling and coordination of incoming rail deliveries and outbound distribution. Monitor inventory levels and maintain product integrity. Optimise throughput while maintaining safety and compliance standards.
- Health, Safety & Environment (HSE): Ensure full compliance with UK HSE legislation, COMAH regulations, and company policies. Promote a strong safety culture and lead by example in all site activities. Conduct risk assessments, audits, and incident investigations. Maintain emergency response readiness and site safety systems.
- People Management: Lead, develop, and manage terminal staff including operators, supervisors, and contractors. Ensure appropriate training, competency, and certification for all personnel. Foster a high‑performance culture focused on accountability and teamwork.
- Regulatory & Compliance: Ensure compliance with all relevant industry standards and regulatory requirements (e.g., EA, HSE, DSEAR). Maintain accurate operational and compliance records. Act as the primary point of contact for inspections and audits.
- Maintenance & Asset Integrity: Oversee maintenance of terminal infrastructure including rail offloading systems, tanks, pumps, and pipelines. Implement preventative maintenance programmes. Ensure asset integrity and reliability to minimise downtime.
- Stakeholder Management: Liaise with rail operators, fuel suppliers, customers, and regulatory bodies. Manage third‑party contractors and service providers. Ensure effective communication across all stakeholders.
- Financial & Performance Management: Manage site budget, operating costs, and performance KPIs. Identify and implement cost‑saving and efficiency improvements. Report on operational performance to senior management.
Key Relationships
- Head of Sector / Operations leadership
- HSSE / Compliance / Quality teams
- Rail operator / freight partners and on‑site rail interface personnel
- Customers / product owners / supply chain planners
- Maintenance & Engineering (internal and external contractors)
- Control room / logistics / scheduling functions (as applicable)
- Regulators and external stakeholders (e.g., HSE/EA, local authority) as applicable
- Emergency services and neighbouring sites (mutual aid)
Financial Dimensions
- Day‑to‑day cost control for terminal operations (labour, contractors, consumables, utilities) within approved budgets.
- Maintenance planning support: prioritisation of spend, spares management, and input to annual budget/forecasting.
- Throughput efficiency and loss control (e.g., reconciliation, measurement accuracy, shrinkage/leak prevention) to protect margin and compliance.
Key Performance Indicators
- Zero harm: TRIR/LTIFR performance, high‑potential near miss reporting and closure, and timely incident investigations.
- Compliance: audit/inspection findings closed on time; permit‑to‑work and critical control verification performance.
- Operational reliability: terminal availability/uptime, planned maintenance completion, and unplanned downtime reduction.
- Throughput and service: rail receipt/offloading performance vs plan; on‑time completion; interface performance with rail operator.
- Product quality and losses: quality incidents, stock reconciliation accuracy, and losses/shrinkage within targets.
Key Accountabilities
- Safe and uninterrupted terminal operations
- Regulatory compliance and audit readiness
- Staff performance and development
- Asset reliability and maintenance
- Customer service and supply continuity
Benefits
- Onsite Parking
- Pension scheme – Employer 8% – Employee 4%
- Excellent holiday entitlement + bank holidays
- Life insurance (4x annual salary)
- Various well‑being initiatives
If you have the experience please apply via: https://careers.penspen.com/vacancy/terminal-manager-colnbrook-609895.html
Terminal Manager, Colnbrook employer: Penspen
Penspen is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at our Colnbrook terminal near Heathrow Airport. With a strong emphasis on health and safety, we foster a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement, providing employees with ample opportunities for professional growth and development. Our competitive benefits package, including a generous pension scheme and well-being initiatives, ensures that our team members are supported both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Terminal Manager, Colnbrook
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. 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 role thoroughly. Understand their operations, values, and recent news. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in the Terminal Manager position at Penspen.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. Focus on showcasing your leadership skills and experience in terminal operations, as these are key for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and keep you top of mind. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for the role and the company.
We think you need these skills to ace Terminal Manager, Colnbrook
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Terminal Manager role. Highlight your experience in terminal operations, fuel management, and any relevant health and safety knowledge. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the role. Mention specific experiences that relate to the job description and show us your passion for operational excellence and safety.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Terminal Manager, strong leadership is key. In your application, share examples of how you've successfully led teams or managed projects in the past. We love to see candidates who can inspire and develop their teams!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Penspen
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of health and safety regulations, especially those relevant to fuel management and terminal operations. Being able to discuss specific compliance standards and how you've implemented them in past roles will show you're serious about safety.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in high-pressure environments. Think about times when you had to manage conflicts or motivate your team during challenging situations. This will demonstrate your ability to foster a high-performance culture.
✨Understand the Operations
Familiarise yourself with the day-to-day operations of a terminal manager, particularly around rail logistics and fuel handling. Be ready to discuss how you would optimise throughput while maintaining safety and compliance standards.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would manage relationships with various stakeholders, including rail operators and contractors. Prepare to discuss your communication strategies and how you ensure everyone is on the same page to maintain uninterrupted operations.
