Operational Excellence Project Manager in Milton Keynes

We have an exciting new opportunity for a Project Manager to join our Operational Excellence program at Sunbelt Rentals. The Operational Excellence Program is designed to deliver transformational change in our business. A root & branch diagnostic review has been undertaken and a new design or ‘best way’ of working in our workshops, hire offices and depots has been introduced. We aim to become safer, more efficient, more productive, and more reliable, vastly improving the financial performance of every depot. Each area of development can be measured and assessed, leaving opportunity for continuous improvement.

The Project Manager is the ‘change agent’ responsible for preparing and guiding the depot to prescribed levels of ‘operational excellence’. The Project Manager should have an intimate knowledge of how an asset rental depot works, understand both the asset and the customer ‘journey’ through our depot business, and have a keen eye for detail supported by good analytical skills. The job holder will have an excellent understanding of the roles and responsibilities within the depot and be able to work closely with depot management to coach and develop their operational competencies.

Having high levels of influence to motivate, challenge and inspire complex stakeholder groups, including Executives, Regional leaders, Consultants, L&D and Project Managers, the Project Manager would be working within a national team, assigned specific locations to bring into the Operational Excellence Program and oversee and support their progress to attain ever-increasing levels of ‘OpX status’ (bronze, silver, gold).

What can we offer you in return? You’ll be joining a highly successful FTSE100 company, the UK’s largest equipment rental provider. We provide an industry-leading flexible rewards package including generous holiday allowance (with the opportunity to buy and sell annual leave), life assurance, retail discount scheme, employee recognition awards and a great Company pension scheme.

About You: If you join the team, we will provide everything you need to support your training and development.

• Previous management experience is essential.
• Previous project management with an emphasis on continuous improvement is desirable.
• Considerable rental experience and working closely with different functions.
• Skills and knowledge of project management.
• Good analytical skills and the effective use of evidential data.
• Good understanding of hire contracts and processes.
• Good understanding of advanced asset management processes.
• Teamwork – able to work across teams and across the company to build positive outcomes.
• Strong IT skills including Microsoft packages, including Word and Excel.

The personal behaviours you will display:

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to motivate, challenge and present to an audience, with the ability to compose written instructions and guidance notes.
• Analytical skills to an intermediate level, understanding spreadsheets, pivot tables, and being able to interpret data and impart information.
• An understanding of root cause analysis would be an advantage.
• Very solid rental expertise, being able to understand/explain the end-to-end rental cycle for a customer and an asset; the interaction of various stakeholders and their needs/expectations.
• A friendly and highly personable approach.
• Flexible and resilient – to handle change.
• Confident, with a ‘Can do’ positive attitude.
• The energy and drive to keep going and work hard.
• Self-Belief - to make things happen even if timelines are tight and likelihood of success is low.
• Tenacious – doesn’t give up.
• Diplomatic and tactful.
• A collaborative style, listening to others and bringing people with you.

It is essential that you have a full clean driving licence with the flexibility to travel across mainland UK. You should be prepared to stay away from home, depending on the location of the programme, this may be up to 4 days per week.

About Us: Sunbelt Rentals is the leader in equipment rentals in the UK, Ireland, US and Canada, as well as specialist operations in Europe. We provide a range of solutions to every market and sector, including construction, industrial, energy, infrastructure, government and events. Our teams make the impossible possible and the unthinkable doable. Our people are at the heart of our values and they’re our greatest asset. We rely on you to look after our customers so in return, we take good care of you. We recognise the value and uniqueness of our team-mates and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive Sunbelt Rentals, providing equality of opportunity and a culture of fairness and respect. Your health, safety and wellbeing is really important to us. We’re raising awareness and providing support through initiatives such as our mental health awareness campaign and first-aider programme. You’ll also be able to access a 24-7 employee assistance helpline, counselling services and financial wellbeing support.