Graduate Operations Manager

Networkplus; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 25,000 - GBP 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading utility services company in the UK is seeking a Graduate Operations Manager to join their structured two-year development programme. This role involves learning to lead operational and financial performance while gaining practical experience across multiple rotations. The ideal candidate will be a curious and driven recent graduate with a collaborative mindset, seeking an opportunity to have real impact from day one. The position offers competitive compensation and comprehensive training alongside a supportive community of peers.

Benefits

Dedicated mentor support

Leadership development qualification

Community and professional skills development

Qualifications

• Final-year students or recent graduates with a role-related degree.
• Proficient IT skills, including Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Full UK driving licence is required.

Responsibilities

• Maintaining contract compliance with dig crews.
• Chairing the daily compliance meeting around redlines.
• Taking control of the BW contract fleet and logistics.
• Ensuring compliance with H&S and delivery procedures.
• Becoming an expert in the company induction process.

Skills

Critical thinking

Problem solving

Proficient IT skills

Collaborative mindset

Curious and driven

Education

Role-related degree (2:2 or above)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Graduate Operations Manager

Department: Graduate Recruitment

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Brunel House, Derby

Compensation: £30,000 / year

Description

Launch your career and become a future leader with our graduate programme at Network Plus! We recruit high‑calibre, motivated graduates and engage with you before you finish University so you can step straight into a graduate role from September 2026, whilst also completing our two‑year structured development programme, designed to build and develop your leadership capability whilst also developing specialist skills in your chosen field.

Why choose Network Plus

Network Plus is an award‑winning business delivering essential utility and infrastructure services for the UK’s major providers of gas, power, telecoms, transport, water, and wastewater. We value the variety of experience, perspective, and other points of difference our workforce, clients, and supply chain offer. We are actively working with colleagues across the Network Plus Group to develop an inclusive environment – we want all our employees to feel valued and included to enable everyone to thrive at work and understand the value of their contribution matters no matter their background, identity, or circumstances.

You’ll complete structured placements across different contracts and business areas, alongside a graduate cohort at the same stage of learning—making rotations and swaps straightforward and impactful and building a strong graduate community.

As a Graduate Operations Manager, you’ll step straight into a high‑impact role where you’ll learn to lead the operational and financial performance of a contract driving safe, on‑time delivery that meets and exceeds customer expectations. As an integral part of our contract succession plan, you’ll learn from experienced Operations Managers across the business, building the skills and ambition to become a future leader.

What we offer

Support and Development

• Dedicated mentor support from our senior management team to guide your journey
• Leadership development and cohort‑based learning resulting in a recognised qualification
• 360 feedback, coaching and continuous support throughout rotations

Real Impact and Challenge

• Take part in a Business Sustainability challenge, tackling real‑world issues and presenting solutions at an executive level
• A strong graduate community with peer cohorts where you will grow together throughout the programme

Community

• Professional skills, confidence and experience that set you up for long‑term success

What you’ll be doing

Across your two‑year programme you’ll complete four 6‑month rotations in different parts of the business, giving you the breadth and depth needed to understand how Network Plus thrives and where your strengths truly lie. During each rotation, you’ll take on real responsibilities from day one, contributing to live projects and working alongside experienced colleagues who will support your development.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintaining contract compliance with the dig crews
• Chairing the daily Toughbook compliance meeting around redlines and offsite forms
• Reimplementing the team dashboard that measures compliance information such as productivity, GCat compliance speeding etc
• Taking control of the BW contract fleet, plant, logistics. Ensuring all vehicles are allocated to the correct person and regular plant audits are undertaken
• Taking lead of the depots and maintaining compliance with H&S, inductions and delivery procedures.
• Ensuring that the logistics manager has the relevant support to keep consumable items stocked, including emergency OOH stock
• Finalising and setting up a dedicated training/ induction facility within the yard
• Becoming an expert in the company and contract induction process
• Being responsible for the daily jeopardy exercise which confirms what dig work has been completed, what needs reallocating and what is at risk of cancellation to maximise dig crew efficiency

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Curious, driven graduates with a collaborative mindset, a willingness to learn and a desire to make an impact
• Final‑year students or recent graduates with a role‑related degree (2:2 or above)
• Full UK driving licence (some travel during placements)
• Individuals who want responsibility early and enjoy learning by doing
• Must have graduated within the last two years
• Critical thinking and problem solving
• Proficient IT skills, including Microsoft Excel and Word

Salary and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary based on experience along with a full benefits package. Network Plus is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.

We are Armed Forces‑friendly. We welcome applications from ex‑Armed Forces personnel, reservists, armed forces veterans, cadet instructors and military spouses/partners.

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