Operations Manager (Solar O&M)

Do you want to work to make Power for Good? We are the world's largest independent renewable energy company, guided by a vision to create a future where everyone has access to affordable, zero carbon energy. RES is a family with a diverse workforce, dedicated to the personal and professional growth of our people. We promise rewarding work that makes a real impact, the chance to learn from inspiring colleagues, and opportunities to grow personally and professionally.

Our competitive package offers rewards and benefits including pension schemes, flexible working, private healthcare, discounted green travel, 24 days holiday (with an additional discretionary day), options to buy/sell days, enhanced family leave, and four volunteering days per year.

The overall purpose of this role is to ensure contractual and statutory compliance for a portfolio of Solar O&M contracts, in accordance with company safety, quality, and environmental systems. The key objectives are to maximise production from client assets, increase maintenance efficiency, and achieve a high level of safety performance. The ideal candidate will be an electrical engineer with experience planning maintenance on MW scale solar plants. Strong candidates will have the opportunity to work towards Authorised Person (AP) or Senior Authorised Person (SAP) status. This is a permanent role requiring availability for some weekend on-call duties, with regular travel to operational sites.

Key Accountabilities

• Delivering the Solar O&M service to meet client contractual requirements, including a reactive callout service operating 24/7/365.
• Staff recruitment, training, and competency.
• Commercial offerings and contractual terms.
• Working with Tools and vehicle coordinator to ensure all Tool and equipment needs are fully met.
• Measuring maintenance performance metrics and taking actions to improve.
• Producing maintenance plans in accordance with contract, manufacturer’s requirements, and good industry practice.
• Scheduling resources, safely managing work control, and reporting on completed work.
• Ensuring compliance with the Safety Rules.
• Supporting in writing and reviewing RAMS, permits, and maintenance procedures.
• Line management of a team of engineers, ensuring adherence to HSQE requirements at all times.
• Managing supplier relationships and equipment warranties.
• Liaising with external stakeholders such as Internal departments, Asset management teams, DNO, and asset owner.
• Reacting to emergencies, site outages, and changing circumstances.
• Supporting the determination of common causes from lost production and identifying performance improvement opportunities.
• First point of contact for the RES O&M service, providing updates to clients and information for reporting as per the O&M Agreement.
• P&L responsibilities for the services and contracts under management.
• Ensuring client invoicing and supplier payment is carried out correctly.
• Playing a key part in adopting new sites into the maintenance systems.
• Using and maintaining a Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) and other quality management tools as necessary.
• Achieve and maintain Person status under RES Electrical Safety Rules.
• Other duties commensurate with the role.
• Supporting on HSQE investigations and cascading through the teams.
• Team Development and appraisals/PDR/HR.
• Onboarding/new site adoption.
• Project management where required/supporting projects team.

Knowledge

• Essential: Knowledge of the key legislation underpinning UK low voltage electrical asset operation and maintenance; detailed knowledge of UK industry; detailed knowledge of LV asset maintenance practices including HSG230.
• Desirable: Knowledge of solar farm assets.

Skills

• Strong approach to safe working practices.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong people skills.
• Ability to coordinate multiple activities whilst ensuring safety and quality are maintained.
• Ability to identify problems, conduct analysis, and develop solutions.
• Able to accurately plan high voltage maintenance work including labour, materials, and skills.

Experience

• Track record of successful commercial and contractual business management.
• Track record of solving tough technical and commercial challenges with innovative approaches.
• Experience working under and contributing to improvements of ISO9001 compliant management systems.
• Previous line management of Engineers.

Qualifications

• Full UK driving licence.
• Experience in engineering or other relevant qualification, or equivalent industry experience.
• Electrical Engineering undergraduate degree or equivalent industry experience.
• IOSH Managing Safely or CITB SMSTS or equivalent.

At RES we celebrate difference as we know it makes our company a great place to work. Encouraging applicants with different backgrounds, ideas, and points of view, we create teams who work together to solve complex problems and design practical solutions for our clients.