ICA Technical Manager

We are currently recruiting for an ICA Technical Manager, to work from our Latton and Farmoor sites managing our Instrument Control & Automation (ICA) Team.

Reporting directly to the Area Operations Manager, you will lead the team to deliver the ICA service across our water treatment works, reservoirs and boosters.

You will develop your team, building on existing strengths to maximise potential, creating a hub for ICA excellence.

The role covers a large geographical patch aligning with West Thames Valley, including Oxfordshire, Swindon and the Cotswolds.

You will be based from either Latton or Farmoor Water Treatment Works in the Area.

You will work with our Water Production Managers, Area Operations and Technical Managers to ensure that we consistently meet our regulatory performance measures and performance commitments including asset health, customer service and drinking water quality.

• What you’ll be doing as the ICA Manager
• Deliver the ICA service for West Thames Valley Water Production.
• Develop your team so that you can respond effectively to the needs of the Thames Valley Area, driving down reactivity through proactive planning.
• Monitor, report and take action against key performance indicators for the reliability and resilience of our asset base, the capability of our people and the sustainable operation of our sites and network.
• Lead your team to achieve agreed objectives, enhancing employee engagement and promoting a strong health and safety culture.
• Liaise with senior stakeholders and operational teams to address any ICA-related asset failures, water quality failures and demand and supply issues that arise.
• Implement, through local and regional initiatives and various operational and process steering groups, business and technical developments.
• Drive improvements across our performance against regulatory performance commitments whilst focusing on efficiency in our Opex and Capex spending.
• Manage our ICA risk profile across Thames Valley Water Production.
• Deliver a step-change in how we induct, train and develop our people, promoting consistency and best practice.
• Contribute and deliver water production continuous improvement projects in conjunction with wider project teams.
• You will also be required to take part in an out-of-hours rota once fully trained.

The successful candidate will be required to undertake UK National Security Vetting (NSV) Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) clearance before starting in this role.

Candidates must either hold active CTC clearance or be willing and eligible to undergo the vetting process.

To meet the eligibility criteria, you must typically have been a continuous resident in the UK for the last 5 years and hold a valid passport.

To help us protect the essential services our communities rely on, this role requires security clearance.

We’ll guide you through the process from the moment you accept an offer, and we’ll make sure everything is handled clearly, fairly, and respectfully.

Most checks take up to 12weeks, and we’ll keep you updated at every stage.

If you need any reasonable adjustments during the process, please let us know - we’re here to help.

Base Location: Latton WTW – GL7 5QF or Farmoor – OX2 9NS.

Working Pattern: 36 Hours Monday- Friday.

What you should bring to the role

To thrive in this role, the essential criteria you’ll need is

• Degree level or equivalent (with preferably an Engineering/Science background)
• Qualified instrumentation, controls and automation individual, who has appropriate experience and has completed the required training, including leadership and management development.
• First rate financial management skills able to demonstrate identifying and achieving financial efficiencies.
• We are seeking an accomplished leader to oversee and guide our ICA service in the West Thames Valley region. Therefore, leadership skills and experience are essential.
• You will have a background in and a strong understanding of ICA, which can be developed as you will be part of an ICA Leadership Team incorporating these.
• You will have a background in operational management and leadership of teams with specific experience or demonstrable understanding of Water Production and the wider Water Industry.
• Excellent organisational skills, a keen eye for detail and the ability to manage workload under pressure are all essential to be a success in this role.
• You will demonstrate confidence to present to and to influence Leaders in the organisation at all levels.
• You will have a passion for driving positive behaviours throughout your region.

You will be able to deliver against stretching operational targets and must be commercially astute.

• Due to the nature of the role, a full UK Driving licence is required, however, a car allowance will be provided.

Additional skills and experiences would be great to have/bring

• Water/Waste process NVQ2/Management of Water Treatment, or equivalent (training to be provided)

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary up to £60,000 per annum depending on skills and experiences
• Annual Leave 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service. (Plus bank holidays).
• Car allowance.
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks (Please note different T&Cs apply if on secondment)

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets.

We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive.

It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets.

We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive.

It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same.

As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way.

Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work.

We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process.

If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers.

As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador.

Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience.

It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.