Director Of Operations – South

Selwood is the leading pump rental solutions company in the UK. We have an outstanding reputation for exceptional customer service backed by one of the largest fleets of quality pump products.  Each customer and each project is unique and our deep technical knowledge means we are proud to deliver a bespoke and genuine 24/7, 365 days-a-year service.

With an unrivalled depth of technical pumping expertise; a pedigree spanning seven decades and employing a wide variety of skilled staff throughout our nationwide network of branches, our ever-growing business is one of the largest privately owned companies serving the Water, Environmental and Construction industries.

This is an exciting time to join Selwood as we drive our business forward and build on a foundation of over 70 year’s success within our industry. We are committed to ensuring our staff have the right skills, knowledge & experience to deliver to our customers, as well as creating career paths to help develop, retain, and motivate them.

Due to upcoming retirement, we have an exciting new opportunity for a Director of Operations to join our team, to support our Southern region.

This is one of two roles who are collectively responsible and accountable for all branch hire network throughout the UK.

You will play a key role in the growth of Pump Rental Solutions throughout your region. Working closely with the Regional Operations Managers (ROMS) and Branch Managers this role plays a key role in the long-term growth and profitability of Pump Rental Solutions by developing, implementing, and continually improving operations strategies and plans to meet company goals and targets.

The Director of Operations South plays a pivotal role in driving operational efficiency and maximising profitability within its region while maintaining the highest standards of safety.

Main Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement strategic goals for branch, regional and national operational efficiency, safety, quality, and productivity, directly working with ROM’s who report into you as well as collaborating with other ROM’s nationally, Operational Directors and the wider senior management/leadership teams.
• Collaborate with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) in the development of performance goals and long-term operational plans.
• Provide strong leadership and help to develop high performing teams, effectively managing senior managers in their respective branch networks to deliver goals and meet or exceed targets.
• Coaching and mentoring of managers within your teams, upskilling their critical leadership abilities to deliver business resilience today and a pipeline of capable leaders for long-term success.
• Work closely with the Regional Operation Managers to help continuously driving standards and quality throughout the region. Ensuring the team provide excellent quality and service to maximise the customer experience.
• Regularly review the team’s performance with the respective Regional Operations Manager, assisting in the development, improvement, efficiencies, and implementation of operational plans to meet company goals and objectives.
• Encourage, facilitate, and promote opportunities for employee training, development, and advancement within the company. Ensuring you have the right people capability and engagement to deliver business objectives, maintaining good succession planning.
• Evaluate overall performance by gathering, analysing, and interpreting data to provide regular reporting to agreed requirements.
• Work closely and collaborate with all directors and key stakeholders building strong relationships and making sure there is clear and healthy communication in all areas of the business. This includes central support departments such as SHEQ, HR, Finance, IT, Transport etc.
• Collaborate with the sales and solutions teams and other key stakeholders to deliver tailored pump solutions and exceptional customer service across your region.
• Analyse efficiency and effectiveness of operational processes and procedures, recommending solutions for improvement where necessary.
• Drive operational strategies to optimise and manage resource utilisation, minimise losses, implementing initiatives to reduce company costs, and increasing employee productivity.
• Accountable for managing budget for your operational region promoting profitability and contributing to future budget planning process.

Qualifications & Experience

• Educated to degree level or equivalent – relevant business or management qualifications preferred.
• Proven experience of regional operational management, ideally at a senior or Director level within a similar industry or sector.
• Experience of successfully managing geographically diverse teams, being able to demonstrate strong leadership skills and the ability to develop, coach, motivate and engage.
• Ability to build strong stake-holder relationships, connecting and collaborating intensively within your team and across the organisation.
• A leader with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to listen and offer sound feedback.
• A vision for the business and the wider team, the ability to adapt and be decisive in a rapid paced environment.
• Experience of leading and demanding a Health & Safety culture. Driving and creating an environment where good practices are a way of everyday life and total compliance is adhered to.
• Proven or demonstratable ability to plan and manage operational processes to maximise efficiency and effectiveness, effectively managing multiple priorities.
• Proven background in leading an operational area driving growth, maximising sales, and profitability.
• Proven ability to set clear objectives aligned to regional goals, utilising modern platforms to interconnect all employees and departmental functions.
• Proven ability with budgets and business planning, able to develop innovative solutions for maximising profit within the Region.
• Experience of developing project scopes and objectives, involving all relevant stakeholders, and ensuring technical feasibility.
• Computer literate to a high level. Be able to pull reports and analyse data on company systems and Microsoft Packages such as Excel / Word / PowerPoint.
• A full UK driving licence (endorsed with a maximum of 6 points).
• Ability and willingness to travel within territory and throughout the UK as and when necessary.
• Strong understanding of pump equipment, rental operations, and technical requirements is desired.

We understand balancing work and life commitments isn’t always easy, that’s why we’ve designed our benefits package to support you in all areas of life.

• Competitive salary
• Company car, or car allowance
• Eligible for company bonus scheme (annual and quarterly payments)
• Medicash Scheme – medical expenses scheme (access to 24hour online GP services, discounted gym memberships)
• Pension scheme with contribution based on total earnings not just salary
• 24 days holiday + 8 Bank Holidays
• Increasing annual leave entitlement with long service
• 3x your annual salary life insurance (DIS)
• Support for development and training
• Employee assistance programme (EAP) & access to Mental Health first aiders
• Employee discount scheme (discounts/vouchers for supermarkets, high street shops, holidays and more)
• Employee referral scheme
• Hybrid working (i.e., working from home and in the office) pattern.

This role is not open to Agencies - Please no calls or emails - Thank you.

EDI Statement

Workdry International Ltd is committed to encouraging equality, diversity, and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination.

We value transparency, respecting others and understanding differences. We give full and fair consideration to all applicants, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. 

As part of your recruitment journey, we are happy to support requests for reasonable adjustments.