Operations Manager

## Operations Manager Apply:
BREDE:
Full time:
Posted Today:
End Date:
October 26, 2026 (13 days left to apply):
JR9147
** Closing Date
***
* Job Title:

Operations Manager
***
* Location:

Brede, East Sussex
**** Contract Type:
Permanent
***
* Hours:

37
**** Salary:
From £64,800 depending on skills and experience
***
* About the role:

** The role is responsible for leading the operational delivery of Water Networks and production activities across the Hastings area, including Water Production, Network Inspectors and front-line operational teams. You will ensure the safe, efficient and compliant operation of the water network and operational sites, driving performance across leakage, compliance, asset reliability, responsiveness and regulatory obligations.
** What you will be responsible for:
** In addition to the above, the role will both work to define and achieve the necessary performance criteria, in terms of compliance to permit and statutory legislation are achieved to enable the wider delivery of Health, Safety and Wellbeing, Environment, financial and customer performance within the regional organisation.

As a senior leader within Southern Water, you will be expected to lead change, foster a high-performing culture and work collaboratively across operational and support functions to deliver sustainable improvements for customers and stakeholders.

* Lead operational decision-making across people, resources, contractors and assets, balancing customer, regulatory, safety and financial priorities to deliver the best outcomes for the region.
* Develop and implement performance monitoring and control measures to drive improvements in network reliability, leakage, repair performance, customer experience and operational productivity.
* Lead the identification and delivery of continuous improvement initiatives, utilising data, technology and lean methodologies to improve efficiency, reduce operational risk and enhance service performance.
* Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including local authorities, regulators, highways authorities and service partners, ensuring effective management of operational issues, incidents and stakeholder concerns.
* Develop compliance plans on your production sites, improving both reliability and water quality
* Provide visible leadership in Health, Safety and Wellbeing, ensuring a strong safety culture and compliance with company standards, policies and statutory obligations.
* Lead, coach and develop front line operational teams to create a high-performing, accountable and engaged workforce focused on delivering exceptional customer and operational outcomes.
** Skills & Competencies
*** Ensure that team are empowered to operate safely, displaying a zero compromise attitude to the health and wellbeing of staff, ensuring that we send the team home safe and well at the end of the day.
* Manage operation of assets and processes to regional targets and company targets within a geographic area
* Work with Asset Management to ensure that the right capex and opex asset improvement plans are in place
* Drive contractor and service provider performance in the geography
* Provide an excellent level of customer service within the geography
* Lead and engage a significant workforce within the framework of Southern Water’s values and behaviours
* Act as an ambassador for Southern Water when working with external stakeholders and businesses
** What you’ll bring to the role:
**** Technical
* ** Experience of utility, maintenance or operations background preferred
* Strong financial acumen and understanding of financial management
* Understands how supply chain works
* Good commercial acumen (understands price and value for money)
* Understand how their area…