Operations Director; Plant & Tool Hire

Plant & Tool Hire Operations Director

Location:

Flexible with UK-wide travel

We have an exciting opportunity for someone to join the Huws Gray Plant & Tool Hire senior leadership team.

As the Operations Director, you will lead the strategic development, operational performance and expansion of the Plant & Tool Hire division within the wider merchanting business. This role is responsible for determining where and when new hire branches are opened, prioritising expansion opportunities, building robust business cases, and ensuring operational excellence across all hire locations.

The role will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to deliver profitable growth, build high-performing teams, and embed consistent, safe and customer-focused operations.

• Define and deliver the Plant & Tool Hire growth strategy aligned with the wider merchanting business
• Identify optimal locations for new hire branches within existing and new merchanting sites
• Assess market demand, competition, customer demographics, and logistics to prioritise branch hire openings
• Work closely with Merchanting and Hire leadership teams to integrate hire operations seamlessly into existing branches
• Develop detailed business plans, budgets and financial forecasts for each new branch
• Build and own full P&L responsibility for the Hire division
• Set operational and financial targets
• Monitor performance against plans and implement corrective actions where required
• Ensure strong cost control, asset utilisation and fleet optimisation
• Drive continuous improvement across operations, implementing and maintaining best-in-class hire systems, processes and reporting
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders, suppliers, manufacturers and external partners
• Support the recruitment of key operational and management roles for new and existing branches
• Embed a strong performance, accountability and customer service culture
• Ensure consistent standards across all hire branches
• Ensure compliance with all H&S legal and regulatory requirements
• Support pricing strategies and commercial agreements

• Proven senior operational leadership with experience within plant hire, tool hire, construction hire or merchanting
• Demonstrated experience opening and scaling multi-site hire or trade operation
• Strong commercial acumen with full P&L ownership experience
• Experience building business cases and financial models for new locations
• Ability to influence and manage multiple stakeholders at a senior level
• Strong leadership and people development capability

We believe great work should be recognised and rewarded. Here’s what you can expect:

• 23 days’ holiday, plus bank holidays (31 days per year)
• Company bonus scheme, based on performance
• Contributory pension
  and life assurance
• Company car
• Discounts onhigh street retailers, supermarkets, restaurants, gyms and cinemas
• Colleague discount
  across our group brands
• Attraction and travel discounts
• Training and development
  programmes to support your growth

At Huws Gray, we believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce makes us stronger, smarter and better at serving our customers.