Operations Manager – Mechanical

Job Description

1. Role, purpose, and scope

The Operations Manager – Mechanical is responsible for the safe, compliant, and efficient delivery of mechanical projects within their allocated region (for example, South Wales or the North of England). The role oversees Project Managers, Supervisors and site teams to ensure that all works are delivered on time, within budget and in full compliance with [Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk]’s Integrated Management System (IMS) and ISO standards.

This is a hands-on, client-facing leadership role requiring strong operational control, commercial awareness, problem-solving capability, and organisational discipline. The postholder ensures that resources are allocated effectively, operational risks are proactively managed, and project teams are fully supported to achieve consistent delivery excellence.

In addition to operational delivery, the Operations Manager – Mechanical plays an active role in business development within their region, identifying opportunities to grow [Employer hidden]’s mechanical services offering in line with our strategic objectives.

The role reports directly to the Operations Director and plays a key part in driving performance, compliance, consistency and sustainable growth across the business.

2. Principal accountabilities

Project Delivery

• Lead and oversee the execution of multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring compliance with P06 Project Management processes.
• Coordinate site activities to ensure safe systems of work, quality outcomes and environmental compliance.
• Support Project Managers and Supervisors in planning, resourcing and monitoring project progress.
• Conduct regular site visits to monitor operational performance, safety compliance and client satisfaction.
• Ensure projects are delivered in line with [Employer hidden]’s Health & Safety, Quality and Environmental Policies

Time and Material (T&M) Works

• Review and approve quotations for time and material mechanical works within the region.
• Ensure labour loading, plant, tooling and material allowances are accurately defined prior to submission.
• Confirm commercial rates are applied consistently and in line with approved frameworks.
• Monitor live T&M projects to ensure accurate recording of labour, plant and materials.
• Ensure variation control and commercial capture are maintained throughout delivery.
• Work closely with Commercial and Finance to validate cost recovery and margin performance on T&M works.

Resource Management

• Work closely with the Labour Manager to allocate labour resources effectively, ensuring appropriate skills and competencies are mobilised.
• Manage subcontractors and suppliers in accordance with SP01 Procurement and [Employer hidden]’s commercial procedures.
• Ensure goods and services are procured in line with [Employer hidden]’s governance and purchasing controls.
• Monitor procurement commitments against approved project budgets.
• Ensure tooling, plant, equipment and materials from Stores are fit for purpose and available when required.

Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

• Promote and enforce a strong and visible safety culture across all operational activities.
• Ensure compliance with P11 Hazard Identification, P13 Environmental Impacts and supporting procedures (SP11 Operational Safety Control, SP12 Accident Reporting).
• Conduct toolbox talks, safety inspections and incident reviews.
• Support incident investigations and ensure corrective actions are implemented.

Timesheet Governance and Control

The Operations Manager holds accountability for ensuring robust control and oversight of payroll and client billable timesheets across their service line or region. This includes:

• Ensuring all project and site-based personnel submit accurate and timely payroll timesheets in accordance with company procedures.
• Reviewing and approving timesheets to confirm labour hours, classifications, overtime and allowances are correctly recorded and authorised.
• Ensuring client billable timesheets are validated against site records, scope of works and contractual agreements prior to submission for invoicing.
• Maintaining clear segregation between payroll approval and commercial billing validation where required by internal controls.
• Monitoring trends in labour utilisation, overtime and cost performance to support commercial margin protection.
• Ensuring full transparency, traceability and audit readiness of timesheet records in line with [Employer hidden]’s Integrated Management System and financial governance standards.

Governance & IMS Compliance

• Ensure all project documentation is prepared, reviewed, controlled and stored in line with IMS requirements (SP07 Document Control, SP08 Records).
• Participate in audits and contribute to continual improvement initiatives.
• Ensure projects are delivered to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 standards.
• Ensure operational activities reflect [Employer hidden]’s Code of Conduct and ethical standards

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary operational point of contact for clients within the region.
• Ensure customer requirements are fully understood and delivered in line with P09 Customer Focus.
• Provide timely updates, progress reports and structured close-out documentation.
• Maintain strong client relationships to promote repeat business and long-term partnerships.

Sales

• Identify and pursue new sales opportunities to expand [Employer hidden]’s mechanical services presence within the region.
• Develop relationships with existing and prospective clients to understand operational challenges and promote [Employer hidden]’s capabilities.
• Support the preparation of proposals, tender submissions and value-based presentations.
• Contribute to regional sales forecasting and pipeline management.
• Monitor market trends and competitor activity to inform strategic service positioning.

Leadership & Team Development

• Line manage Project Managers, Supervisors and site teams within the region.
• Conduct performance reviews, set expectations and provide mentoring and coaching.
• Support training and competency development in collaboration with the Labour Manager and HR.
• Drive accountability, behavioural alignment and professional standards across the team.

3. Organisational Relationships and Behaviours

Reports to: Head of Operations

Line Management Responsibility: Project Managers, Project Supervisors.

Key Internal Interfaces: Procurement Manager. Head of Engineering. Commercial Managers, Group Head of Health & Safety, Finance Director, Labour Manager and Stores Manager

Key External Interfaces: Clients and Notified Bodies.

4. Expected Behaviours

The Operations Manager – Mechanical must consistently demonstrate:

• Commitment – Delivering safe and reliable outcomes.
• Integrity – Acting openly, fairly and professionally.
• Brevity – Communicating clearly and effectively.
• Compassion – Supporting colleagues and clients, recognising individual needs.

The role holder is expected to lead by example and reinforce [Employer hidden]’s standards of operational excellence and professionalism.

5. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Significant experience in operations or project management within mechanical services, ideally within power generation, marine, offshore or industrial engineering sectors.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, teams and subcontractors simultaneously.
• Experience managing time and material projects with strong commercial control.
• Strong working knowledge of health, safety and environmental compliance (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001).
• Practical experience operating within an Integrated Management System (IMS).
• Experience managing subcontractors and procurement in line with commercial procedures.
• Strong commercial awareness, including budget control and margin protection.
• Excellent communication and client management skills.
• Relevant technical qualification in mechanical or engineering discipline (or equivalent professional experience).

Desirable

• NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent health and safety qualification.
• Formal project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, APM, PMP).
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards professional registration.
• Experience contributing to regional sales growth and strategic development.
• Experience delivering projects across multiple UK or European jurisdictions.