Operations Manager

Safetykleen UK Ltd.; Southampton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading service provider in environmental solutions is seeking an Operations Manager in Southampton, responsible for overseeing operations, managing teams, and driving customer satisfaction. The role includes P&L responsibility and ensuring health and safety standards are met. The ideal candidate will hold a CPC qualification and have strong leadership skills, along with the ability to communicate effectively and meet ambitious goals. This position offers a competitive base salary with performance bonuses and extensive benefits.

Benefits

Base Salary £60,000 OTE – £72,000

£3,900 Car Allowance

25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

5% Contributory Pension scheme

Private healthcare scheme from day 1

Enhanced maternity and paternity pay

Employee Assistance Programme

Employee recognition programme

Support for career progression

Qualifications

• A valid UK Drivers Licence is required.
• Experience in managing teams and delivering operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, lead, and develop teams of Service and Sales Technicians.
• Manage customer retention and contract renewals effectively.
• Ensure highest levels of Health and Safety management.

Skills

Customer-focused

Leadership

Good communicator & active listener

Achievement / goal-driven

Organised

Resilience and tenacity

Education

Qualified Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)

Job description

Job Title & Salary

Operations Manager – Southampton – OTE £72k per annum

Overview

The Operations Manager role is a pivotal and highly rewarding leadership position within Safetykleen. With full responsibility for P&L management, you will oversee our Southampton operation, making key decisions that put both our customers’ and employees’ first. You will lead a dynamic team of field‑based service engineers, waste collection team, warehouse operatives, and administrative staff, inspiring them to deliver exceptional service, drive productivity, and increase revenue. This role offers the opportunity to shape success by maximising service delivery and ensuring top‑tier safety standards while driving a culture of excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Recruit, lead, develop and motivate your team of field‑based Service and Sales Technicians, Waste collection reps, Warehouse and Customer Service / Administrators.
• Provide effective and regular communication, direction, coaching and training, feedback and monthly 1‑to‑1s offering continuous guidance and support to achieve operational excellence.
• Comprehensively manage the retention and contract renewals of our existing customer base, ensuring customers are serviced on time, every time, service levels meet and exceed expectations, customer requirements are understood and met, and all business opportunities are explored.
• Maximise efficiency through optimised route, fleet, and resource planning and allocation.
• Ensure highest levels of Health and Safety management; conduct thorough risk assessments, lead investigations, and maintain accurate reporting to the highest standards.
• Manage operational performance and costs with rigorous P&L ownership.

Key Success Factors / Qualifications

• Qualified Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC); advantageous.
• Leadership – lead teams on an inclusive journey with respect, courage, and action.
• Customer‑focused – actively seeks out the best solution for the customer and recognises that our success is driven by our customers’ success.
• Good communicator & active listener – clear and concise communicator and expresses genuine interest in what others are communicating.
• Achievement / goal‑driven – sets ambitious standards and challenging goals and is determined to exceed them.
• Organised – stays focused on different tasks and uses time & energy effectively and efficiently to achieve the desired outcome.
• Resilience and tenacity – able to deal effectively with pressure, recover quickly from setbacks, and remain optimistic and self‑confident even under adversity.
• A valid UK Drivers Licence.

Benefits

• Base Salary £60,000 OTE – £72,000 including performance bonus.
• £3,900 Car Allowance.
• Monday to Friday – no weekends.
• 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays.
• 5% Contributory Pension scheme.
• Family Life assurance of 3 times life cover salary.
• Private healthcare scheme from day 1.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
• Corporate discount scheme focused on your wellbeing, including discounted Virgin Active Gym membership.
• Discount and cashback at many retailers.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 confidential helpline support for employees.
• Enhanced occupational sick pay scheme for employees with illness and/or conditions requiring treatment.
• Employee recognition programme.
• Employee referral scheme.
• We provide support and access to a range of internal and external courses to help and progress your career with us.

Company Overview

Safetykleen is a leading provider of Parts Cleaning, Waste Collection and Environmental Advisory services to businesses across Europe. Safetykleen employs over 2,000 people and serves over 50,000 businesses in 16 countries. We deliver over 1 million services per year through our unparalleled branch network. Our headquarters are based in London, and we are backed by Apax, a leading Private Equity firm.

Additional Details

• Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
• Employment type: Full‑time
• Job function: Management and Manufacturing
• Industries: Warehousing