Operations Manager

The role:

An exciting opportunity has arisen at OPA, as we seek to appoint a new Operations Manager, to be based at our OFD (Oil Fuel Depot) at Thanckes, Torpoint, Cornwall.

This is a hands‑on supervisory role ensuring the safe delivery, efficient receipt, storage, and issue of POL (Petroleum Oil and Lubricant) bulk products for HM Navy, RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) and other OPA customers, ensuring at all times activities are compliant with COMAH Regulations, with an exceptionally strong focus on ensuring no harm to people or the environment.

As part of the Operations team, this role is directly responsible to the site Depot Manager to support and carry out all aspects of operational tasks. It also provides general supervision and direction for berthing, and general shipping operations, with particular emphasis on jetty/shipping operations, and close liaison with third parties for the deployment of fenders, line handling and ancillary jetty services.

This pivotal operational role also deputises along with the Depot Engineer for the Depot Manager, and the successful post holder must be prepared to take on any necessary responsibilities and make appropriate decisions.

Your interpersonal skills, and ability to build and maintain relationships with all our stakeholders, both internal and external, will need to be second to none.

Some occasional travel with overnight stays to other sites may be required; a full (preferably clean) driving licence is essential.

• Operate and maintain an agreed Estate Maintenance Plan, ensuring with the Depot Engineer that all PPM and defects are completed on time.
• Through the Depot Team, responsible for maintaining and reporting fuel stocks, ensuring that figures are within the 0.2% tolerance for MOD product, operation of the ATG and BFIS systems. This includes manual tank dipping, measurement of water content, recording fuel levels before, during and after issues, receipts and returns. The Operations Manager will routinely audit and check stock levels.
• Manage and supervise the sampling of storage tanks and vessels when required, sending samples for analysis as necessary. Product samples retained and managed as needed.
• Operate and supervise the operation of vehicles within the Depot. Ensure that only qualified and certified staff operate such vehicles and that vehicles are regularly maintained and that such maintenance is recorded.
• Be fully familiar with ship‑to‑shore checklist.
• Supervise contractors on site, conduct and record Site Inductions for Contractors and Visitors.
• Ensure that Contractors are working to any Control of Work requirements.
• When deputising for the Depot Manager, be responsible for day‑to‑day management, maintenance and operations of the OFD and implementing and ensuring compliance with the systems and procedures that control marine safety as required by the PMSC and DSA
  02‑DMR – Defence Maritime Regulations for Health, Safety and Environmental Protection. The Depot Manager is nominally the Harbour Master for the OFD.
• Understand and comply with Port Facility Security plan procedures and responsibilities.
• Carry out and comply with Operating Procedures, Safety Critical Tasks and Checklists, SSoW including COSHH & (Legionella, Noise) Risk Assessments.
• Ensure that the Depot maintains good standards of housekeeping, tidiness, and safety standards.
• Supervise, and where necessary be part of, confined space operations, ensuring personnel involved in such activities are trained and assessed as competent and medically fit.
• Be part of a Rostered “On‑Call” Team.
• Oil Spill techniques.
• Waste management / paperwork (returns) and audits.
• Willing to undertake short‑notice overtime.
• Maintain cleanliness / operational efficiency / safe working practices, and manage all fuel movements.

A relevant degree will be desirable, with at least 3 years senior management experience, ideally with a proven track record in the petroleum storage industry in an Engineering or Operations management role.

Experience of or an understanding of the requirements of top‑tier COMAH installation and the safety culture which must prevail in such establishments is essential.

• Excellent operations leadership and management skills.
• Knowledge of hazardous area process plant environment, desirable.
• Ideally hold a relevant health and safety management qualification, or able to demonstrate an excellent safety management record.
• Knowledge of legislation relating Process Safety, COMAH, MOC and CDM and their applications.
• Good financial understanding.
• Competent with all Microsoft Office applications is essential.

• 4‑year annual salary life assurance (after probation) & Group Income Protection Policy.
• Generous Pension Scheme.
• Group Healthcare Scheme (permanent staff only).