General Manager

Sunbelt Rentals; Southampton; On-site; GBP 75,000 - GBP 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading equipment rental company based in Southampton is seeking a General Manager to lead depot operations and ensure operational excellence. The role requires strong leadership skills, a proven track record in the oil and gas industry, and expertise in P&L management. Responsibilities include overseeing staff engagements, ensuring audit compliance, and managing maintenance planning. The company fosters an inclusive culture and is committed to the well-being of its employees, offering support initiatives for mental health and wellness.

Benefits

24-7 employee assistance helpline

Counselling services

Financial wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Strong decision-making capability under pressure in safety-critical settings.
• Experience in the Oil, Chemical, Gas industry sector.
• Strong track record of leadership and people management skills.
• Experience in resource planning and managing multi-shift work patterns.

Responsibilities

• Lead and optimize depot operations for efficiency and customer service.
• Ensure audit compliance with regulations and company policies.
• Manage budget ownership and P&L control.
• Oversee high-risk industrial operations and maintain asset integrity.

Skills

Decision-making capability

Leadership and team development

Logistical background

P&L management

IT literacy - Microsoft Office, analytics tools

Education

Degree in Engineering/Operations Management

IOSH qualification

NEBOSH or similar safety qualification

Tools

Power BI

Job description

About The Role

As General Manager, you are responsible for leading and delivering optimised operational excellence by driving efficiency and enhancing customer service across all depot operations, in support of broader business objectives and targets.

This role is based withinthe Exxon Mobil complex within FawleySouthampton.

As an exceptional leader, you will bring strong people management capabilities, along with a proven track record of driving high performance and successfully managing operational activity, asset programming, and service delivery within fast-paced, complex environments.

Your Key Accountabilities will include:

• Overall responsibility for the leadership, management and development of all Depot team mates with positive engagement being a focal point.
• Ensuring audit compliance with SHEQ regulations and company policies across sites.
• Develop and deliver continuous improvement, commercial, and operational strategies in collaboration with Sales and Operational Leadership
• Budget ownership and P&L control through managing overheads in line with current and future revenue forecasts
• Lead implementation of LPS, risk management, incident reporting, training, and loss prevention systems.
• Ensure all staff complete required LPS training, stewardship workshops and refreshers. Maintain complete, audit-ready documentation including training records, incident logs, equipment inspections and subcontractor compliance.
• Ensure subcontractors are OIMS-approved, trained and monitored in line with site requirements.
• Lead operations within high-risk industrial, oil & gas or petrochemical environments, ensuring alignment with COMAH, ATEX, DSEAR, PUWER and LOLER frameworks.
• Oversee production, engineering, maintenance and asset integrity programmes ensuring reliability and uptime.
• Manage maintenance planning, shutdown coordination and engineering project execution.

About You

What will you need to succeed in the General Manager role?

• Demonstrate strong decision-making capability under pressure within safety-critical settings.
• Experience working within the Oil, Chemical, Gas industry sector.
• Experience in safety critical/industrial multi-site operational management, ideally within rental, logistics, or related sectors
• Strong track record of leadership, team development and people management skills
• Strong logistical background and asset control experience in a multi-product environment
• Experience in resource planning and colleague engagement skills to ensure strong levels of productivity including experience of managing multi shift work patterns
• Commercial and financial acumen, including P&L management and the ability to manage complex business/financial data.
• IOSH qualification
• Full driving licence
• IT literate, with experience of Microsoft Office, business systems, and analytics tools (e.g., Power BI)

Desirable:

• Degree in Engineering/Operations Management
• NEBOSH or similar safety qualification

About Us

Sunbelt Rentals is the leader in equipment rentals in the UK, Ireland, US and Canada - as well as specialist operations in Europe. We provide a range of solutions to every market and sector, including construction, industrial, energy, infrastructure, government and events. Our teams make the impossible possible and the unthinkable doable. Turning what if into what is.

Our people are at the heart of our values and they’re our greatest asset. We rely on you to look after our customers so in return, we take good care of you. We recognise the value and uniqueness of our team-mates and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive Sunbelt Rentals, providing equality of opportunity and a culture of fairness and respect.

Your health, safety and wellbeing is really important to us. We’re raising awareness and providing support through initiatives such as our mental health awareness campaign and first-aider programme. You’ll also be able to access a 24-7 employee assistance helpline, counselling services and financial wellbeing support.