Technical Optimiser in Chapletown

Based across our South West areas covering Sheffield, Rotherham and Barnsley and based out of our Smithy Wood, Chapeltown depot.

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday.

Salary and Benefits:

• Competitive salary, depending on experience £41,668 to £52,085.
• Company car or cash allowance in line with our Business Needs User policy.
• Annual incentive related bonus (£1000 maximum bonus opportunity for the performance year).
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution).
• Development opportunities in line with the Technical Optimiser progression plan.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays – plus an extra two wellness days!
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary.
• A great benefits package – choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.
• Retail savings scheme.
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!

We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity.

New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry. Field Operations are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators.

Role purpose:

To drive improvements in performance against challenging targets (Customer Minutes Lost, Water Quality and CMEX) by improving technical expertise, providing internal coaching and development support and quality control auditing for the field teams. You will organise and coordinate resources to deliver complex jobs (Field, leakage, Service Partners, ER etc.). This includes proactive network operation and maintenance activity; completion of operational risk assessments and the supervision of all network intervention; and responding quickly and effectively to network failure to minimise the impact upon key performance targets, including but not limited to those relating to Water Supply Interruptions and Water Quality.

As our Technical Optimiser you will:

• Be fully aware and trained in H&S requirements which relate to the operation of the water network including working on the highway, confined spaces, lone working.
• Coach and train team members within the team to deliver excellent performance - understanding how individual and team performance links to achieving the company’s strategic objectives and performance commitments related to Network Services.
• Understand the financial implications of promoting Repair and Maintenance work on the Water Services Agreement, balancing risk and cost to ensure the right decisions are made to deliver solutions for the customer in a cost effective and efficient manner, prioritising as appropriate.
• Work with R&M partners to support the efficient delivery of R+M activity promoted by Field teams and other YW departments, seeking to deliver solutions right first time and reduce the cost of failure wherever possible.
• Consistently deliver excellent face to face customer service, providing a first-class doorstep experience and demonstrating personal leadership and ownership to help YW deliver on our Customer Promise.
• Own customer problems including difficult and complex ones to resolution; where possible resolving customer issues on first visit, but where necessary promoting follow on work to either Contract partners or YW staff to drive resolution in a timely and efficient manner.
• Understand Retail competition, the Water Act, and the obligations of YW and its staff to deliver service in such a way that responds to the needs of customers appropriately, but that is also compliant with Market Codes set out in Water Act in relation to Retail Competition.
• Operate and optimise the distribution network to ensure a continuous flow of supplies to our customers. Understanding risk in the context of Supply/Demand, Service and Supply Interruptions and make decisions based upon those risks to deliver the best outcome for customers and the business.
• Participate in a regional standby rota once trained.

Responsibilities and day-to-day tasks:

• Organise and coordinate resources to deliver complex jobs and respond quickly to network failure to minimise impact on key targets.

What skills & qualifications you will need:

• In-depth technical knowledge of the network and complex jobs such as trunk mains repairs requiring systems changes.
• Strong coaching skills to develop and mentor junior team members.
• Understanding where the role fits within the business plan and then developing ways to deliver the outputs.
• Experience of delivering against challenging upper quartile business targets and performance commitments.
• Build and always maintain effective internal and external relationships to high standard – act as a role model.
• A positive approach to handling changes, embracing all nature of change including technology, process, behavioural and organisational change.
• Demonstrate excellent customer service both internally and externally.

You will also benefit from having:

• Coaching skills – ideally has attended course.
• Previous experience in a commercially orientated and / or regulated environment.
• Previous experience gained within the water or waste water sectors or within the broader utilities, process or manufacturing industry sectors.
• Technical understanding of water network and assets.
• HNC in an engineering or related qualification.
• Knowledge of Water Regulations and Plumbing.

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it’s important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life.

Do we sound like your cup of tea? If you’ve got experience as a Technical Optimiser and want to help us deliver great service for our customers whilst looking after the environment, then be sure to apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you.