Operations Manager

Operations Manager

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead daily operations, manage teams, and ensure top-notch service delivery.
  • Company: Dynamic reactive maintenance business serving clients across the southeast of England.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, growth opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
  • Why this job: Join a growing company and make a real impact on operational efficiency and client satisfaction.
  • Qualifications: Experience in field-service management and strong leadership skills required.
  • Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for professional development.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Growing reactive maintenance business serving clients across the southeast of England.

Purpose of the Role

The Operations Manager is responsible for ensuring the business runs efficiently, effectively and profitably day to day while supporting the growth of the company. You will oversee the help desk, scheduling and office teams, coordinate engineers in the field, and build strong relationships with key clients to drive high service standards, better utilisation, and increased value from our client base.

Key Responsibilities

  • Operational management
    • Oversee day-to-day operations from job intake through to completion, ensuring smooth workflow between office and field.
    • Ensure effective scheduling and allocation of engineers to minimise travel time and maximise productive hours.
    • Monitor SLA performance and take action to prevent and recover potential breaches.
    • Work with those responsible for stock, parts and vans to ensure availability and cost-effective use of resources.
    • Use systems such as BigChange and Xero to monitor performance, spot issues and drive improvements.
  • People leadership and culture
    • Lead and develop the help desk/scheduling and office teams, providing clear expectations, coaching and feedback.
    • Address underperformance, inefficiencies and downtime fairly and constructively.
  • Client and key-account management
    • Act as an operational point of contact for key clients, handling escalations and running review meetings where needed.
  • Commercial performance and growth
    • Monitor operational KPIs (e.g. engineer utilisation, first-time fix rates, travel time, job margins) and take action to improve them.
    • Identify and implement practical process improvements that deliver measurable efficiency or margin gains.

Essential skills required

  • Experience in plumbing, drainage, HVAC or a similar field-service / reactive maintenance environment.
  • Proven track record in an Operations Manager or senior supervisory role in a small to mid-sized business.
  • Strong people leadership skills, with experience managing office-based teams and coordinating field engineers.
  • Confident user of job management / field service software (e.g. BigChange or similar) and comfortable working with reports and KPIs.
  • Ability to understand and work with margins, labour efficiency and basic commercial metrics.
  • Hands-on and willing to get into the detail when needed, while able to step back and manage through others.
  • Calm and structured under pressure, able to prioritise and make decisions in a fast-moving environment.
  • Commercially aware, always looking for ways to improve efficiency, service and profitability.
  • Credible, straightforward communicator who builds trust with engineers, office staff and clients alike.

Operations Manager employer: Recruit Select Limited

As an Operations Manager in our growing reactive maintenance business, you will thrive in a dynamic environment that values efficiency and innovation. We offer a supportive work culture that prioritises employee development, with opportunities for growth and advancement within the company. Located in the southeast of England, our team enjoys a collaborative atmosphere where strong relationships with clients and colleagues are fostered, ensuring a rewarding and meaningful career.
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Contact Detail:

Recruit Select Limited Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Operations Manager

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend local events, join relevant online groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential employers on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your skills! When you get the chance to meet hiring managers or recruiters, be ready to talk about your experience in operations management. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you’ve improved efficiency and led teams successfully.

✨Tip Number 3

Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them why you’re the perfect fit for the Operations Manager role.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you. By applying directly, you’ll ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and you’ll be one step closer to landing that Operations Manager gig!

We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager

Operational Management
Scheduling and Resource Allocation
SLA Monitoring
Stock and Resource Management
Performance Monitoring
People Leadership
Client Relationship Management
KPI Analysis
Process Improvement
Field Service Software Proficiency
Commercial Awareness
Decision-Making Under Pressure
Effective Communication

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in plumbing, drainage, or HVAC, and showcase your leadership skills. We want to see how you’ve made a difference in previous roles!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for our team. Mention specific achievements that demonstrate your operational management skills and how you can contribute to our growth.

Showcase Your Software Skills: Since we use systems like BigChange and Xero, it’s a good idea to mention your familiarity with similar software. If you’ve used any job management or field service software, let us know how it helped improve efficiency in your past roles.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Recruit Select Limited

✨Know Your Operations Inside Out

Make sure you understand the ins and outs of operations management, especially in a reactive maintenance context. Brush up on your knowledge of scheduling, resource allocation, and performance monitoring. Being able to discuss specific examples from your past experience will show that you’re ready to hit the ground running.

✨Demonstrate People Leadership Skills

Prepare to talk about your experience in leading teams, especially in high-pressure situations. Think of examples where you’ve successfully coached or developed team members. Highlighting your ability to manage both office staff and field engineers will resonate well with the interviewers.

✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Software

Since the role involves using systems like BigChange and Xero, it’s crucial to be familiar with these or similar platforms. If you have experience with them, be ready to discuss how you’ve used these tools to improve operational efficiency and monitor KPIs.

✨Showcase Your Commercial Awareness

Be prepared to discuss how you’ve improved service delivery and profitability in previous roles. Think about specific metrics you’ve worked with, such as engineer utilisation and job margins, and be ready to share actionable insights on how you can bring that knowledge to the new role.

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