Plant Operations Lead - West Sussex£40,000-£45,000k
Role
Support and coordinate the daily operations of internal and external plant hire. Youll line-manage key area leads, support the Plant Manager, and ensure smooth, efficient, and compliant delivery of plant hire services aligned with operational plans.
Responsibilities
* Coordinate between internal and external plant hire, ensuring structured planning and clarity with minimal duplication or delays.
* Monitor equipment use and help reduce downtimeidentify underused assets and recommend improvements.
* Investigate incidents (damages, losses), track trends, and support awareness initiatives like toolbox talks.
* Work with the Plant Manager to design and implement a sustainable external hire solution prioritising internal supply and cost-efficiency.
* Support stock control, supplier pricing, and negotiating supply agreements for faster turnaround and better value.
* Provide oversight of daily compliance and safety routines.
* Line-manage the Stores, Internal Hire, and External Hire teams; cover the Workshop and Fleet functions when needed.
* Attend key planning sessions and act as liaison between project teams and plant hire functions.
* Track incoming/outgoing plant to meet deadlines and manage hire fulfilment with scheduling and turnaround.
* Drive system improvements in EVision, and help clean and optimise system usage.
* Lead consistency across departmental functions while developing a customer-facing information-sharing solution.
* Maintain and share operational dataprepare monthly reports on internal/external hire spend, revenue, trends, and activity.
* Coordinate and share regular equipment toolbox talks, updates, datasheets, and catalogues.
About You
* Excellent organisational skillsyoure comfortable managing multiple priorities effectively.
* Strong leadership capability with experience in team coordination or line management.
* Solid understanding of plant hire operations, logistics, or workshop/fleet management.
* Analytical mindset with ability to track performance metrics and support data-driven decision-making.
* Familiarity with compliance routines, incident investigation, and risk awareness.
* Tech-savvycomfortable using systems like EVision or similar, with a focus on improving workflows.
* Able to engage stakeholders, communicate clearly, and support operational planning across departments.
Skills&Knowledge
* Excellent organisational and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities at once
* Confident in identifying process gaps and pushing forward practical, common sense improvements
* Clear and direct communication style, with ability to link up activity across teams and departments
* Strong attention to detail, especially in task follow through, documentation, and internal communication
* Working knowledge of plant/fleet/logistics operations is helpful but not essential
Experience
* Proven experience coordinating operational activity across multiple stakeholders, ideally in a fast paced setting
* Background in managing or supporting teams, with a practical, hands on approach to problem solving
* Track record of resolving issues quickly and effectively within mixed skill teams
* Familiarity with plant hire, supply chain, or similar sectors is helpful but not essential
Technologyskills
* Proficient with Microsoft Office tools
* Comfortable using or learning business systems (e.g., ERP or asset tracking platforms)
* Able to support basic system/process troubleshooting and drive consistency in digital updates
* Capable of pulling together summary reports, trackers, and shared documents that others can easily use
Training
* Willingness to undertake relevant training (e.g., SSSTS, LOLER/PUWER awareness, hire systems, health & safety)
* Comfortable delivering toolbox talks and contributing to departmental communications
* May occasionally support or develop internal training materials and documentation relating to equipment usage
* Awareness of safe working practices and ability to reinforce a culture of compliance
Qualifications
* Full UK driving licence (essential)
* CSCS card (desirable)
* Recognised management or supervisory training (e.g., ILM) is desirable
* Business Administration or relevant vocational qualification (desirable)
* GCSE English and Maths or equivalent
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