Assistant Operations Manager

Join us on the journey...
We are currently recruiting for an Assistant Operations Manager to be based from our Luton depot. In this role, you will lead, motivate and develop a team of drivers ensuring an efficient and economical operation and that our customers receive an excellent experience from an engaged and professional team. A visible, approachable manager with the ability to adapt 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. 
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, behaviors and performance.
Carry out the record fitness for duty checks of drivers
Ensure that adequate security and safety arrangements are in place, ensuring the team have relevant safety equipment for their roles and that key policies such as working time/rest breaks, driving standards and drugs & alcohol policies are adhered to
Effectively manage short term and long term absence and all return to work interviews are carried out in a timely way
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 special monitoring plans and support identified 
Implement safety standards at the driver depots including ensuring safety checks are carried out and ensure all drivers within the team adhere to safety standards and procedures. 
Ensure adequate supervision, inspection, care, management and direction of the team 
Ensure that all accidents/incidents/infringements are reported, investigated and managed and appropriate follow up remedial action is taken
Accountable for all budgetary arrangements delegated to by the Operations Manager, enable adequate resourcing of safety responsibilities and the safety management system
Ensure remedial actions from all risk assessments, audits are addressed
Deputise for the Operations Manager as and when required
 
What you'll need...
Must have Management CPC qualification or be willing to work towards 
Must be competent as a coach driver and retain that competence through planned coach driving activities 
Must have a good working knowledge of UK & EU Drivers Hours Regulations
 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
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  
Must be confident in working with financial indicators including performance league tables
Must have a good working knowledge of e-mail, Word, Excel & PowerPoint
 
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
Company pension
Employee Assistance programme
Private online GP service
Life Assurance
Variety of deals and discounts available through NX online portal
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.
Things to Note...
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.