Assistant Operations Manager

We are currently recruiting for an Assistant Operations Manager to be based from Wandsworth who will lead, motivate and develop a team of drivers to ensure that the business needs are met in terms of efficient and economical operations and that our customers receive an excellent experience from engaged, professional, well trained drivers. You will be a visible, approachable manager with the ability to adapt your management style to the situation.

What you'll do...

• Be accountable for the recruitment, engagement, training, induction, performance management, welfare arrangements, disciplinary procedures and health and safety requirements of your team with specialist support as required. 
• Carry out competency assessments and monitoring of the drivers and trainee drivers to maximise performance and engagement and ensure that team members are fit for duty. Ensure that all your team members are clear on expected standards, behaviours and performance.
• Carry out the record fitness for duty checks of drivers
• Ensure that adequate security and safety arrangements are in place for your team and if applicable, for premises that you are responsible and that key policies like working time/rest breaks, driving standards and drugs & alcohol policies are adhered to
• Effectively manage absence, ensure contact is maintained with sick employees, all return to work interviews are carried out in a timely way and that the Formal Attendance Review process is followed in conjunction with support from HR as required
• Carry out briefings of drivers and trainees drivers and deliver other communication in an engaging, timely and professional way.
• Make recommendations to the Operations Manager concerning any driver that may require additional monitoring and apply monitoring plans  and support 
• Implement safety standards at the driver depots including ensuring safety checks are carried out and ensuring all drivers within the team adhere to safety standards and procedures.
• Ensure adequate supervision, inspection, care, management, direction and control of drivers..
• Ensure that all accidents/incidents/infringements are reported, investigated and appropriate follow up remedial action is taken
• Ensure that local emergency plans are prepared, implemented and adequately resourced
• Be accountable for all budgetary arrangements delegated by the Operations Manager

What you'll need...

• Must have a full/clean UK driving licence
• Must have a good working knowledge of UK & EU Drivers Hours Regulations
• CPC qualification desirable or be willing to work towards
• PCV licence desirable
• Must have experience of managing and motivating a diverse team in a unionised environment to deliver excellent standards of performance
• Must have the ability to handle complex employee processes such as ill health/welfare procedures, disciplinaries, grievances and accident investigations and a working knowledge of HR practices
• Must be a team player, working effectively with other managers to agree cohesive management decisions and processes
• Must be able to communicate effectively both verbally and written to ensure key messages / communications are received by employees in a timely, effective and recognisable way
• Must be able to adjust management style where required to show empathy and support when warranted whilst having the ability to conduct more difficult conversations in a fair and balanced way  

What we offer in return for your hard work and commitment...

• Free Bus & Coach travel for yourself
• Complimentary coach travel for a Nominated Person or complimentary bus travel for a Spouse or Partner
• 50% discount for friends and family on full fares on our coach services
• Life Assurance
• Company pension
• Employee Assistance programme
• Private online GP service

National Express is proud to be a Disability Committed organisation. We therefore welcome applications from disabled candidates. Please let us know in your application if you have any accessibility needs.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications before the advertised closed date.

At National Express, we are really proud of our health and safety record and as a result, we operate a Drugs and Alcohol Policy which is applicable to all employees.

As part of your initial assessment, we will complete Drug and Alcohol testing and you may be subject to random tests during your employment.