Operations Manager Start your sustainable career with Vital Energi at Port Clarence! We’re transforming Energy from Waste, helping power local communities, and protecting the planet for future generations. Join us and be part of the future of energy. The Opportunity We’re excited to announce that we’re looking for an Operations Manager at our new energy from waste infrastructure, Port Clarence biomass facility in Teesside. The Operations Manager is accountable for ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of the plant in line with company policies and standards under the direction of the Plant Manager, with responsibilities spanning the optimisation of waste disposal, electricity generation, and recyclate recovery, while integrating operational activities with organisational requirements for quality management, health and safety, legal obligations, environmental licences, and duty of care; additionally, the role demands achieving and enhancing performance against regulatory standards and key performance indicators, and, as a Senior Authorised Person (SAP), overseeing the Site Safety Rules and their effective implementation. Vital Energi- Port Clarence- Strategic asset ownership journey Port Clarence represents the next phase of Vital Energi's evolution from energy solutions provider to significant asset owner, processing 320,000 tonnes of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) and produce over 30Mwe, this marks a substantial step-change in scale and ambition. Vital Energi will further invest in the optimisation of the Drakelow EfW plant to improve its productivity and returns, ensuring it continues to deliver robust operational and financial performance as part of the company’s growing portfolio. The energy generated by both facilities will be exported back to the national grid. The Role As a Senior Authorised Person, be the custodian of the Site Safety Rules including their training, compliance and implementation. Ensure all activities in the plant are carried out with the highest regard for the health, safety & environmental consideration and well-being of all employees and customers on site. Thoroughly and promptly investigates any accidents or near misses in conjunction with the SHE department to ensure that any unsafe practices or conditions are addressed and eliminated immediately. Ensure compliance with the site Environmental Permit and other Environmental Legislation. Assist the SHEQ Manager with Environment Agency quarterly and annual reporting and the closure of Improvement Conditions. Systematically deliver accurate and timely compliance reporting ensuring compliance with essential contracts delivering BAU essential services. Direct and co-ordinate resources to meet plant and business requirements. Maintain and enforce company policies and procedures, environmental compliance, and health and safety requirements. Monitor and, where possible, improve plant performance against set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and standards. Responsible for controlling and optimising the operations budget. Meet agreed organisational performance plans within agreed budgets and timescales. Develop and implement strategies to achieve plant objectives and drive a culture of high performance and quality. Create systems to collect and analyse data on employee performance to identify trends, challenges and opportunities for improvement. Review and interpret operating data and make appropriate changes in procedures to ensure continuous and efficient operations and maintenance. Certify that all data and paperwork is complete and accurate in accordance with company and legislative duty of care requirements. Oversee departmental document control, writing procedures, operational instructions, risk assessments and reports as required. Responsible for developing, maintaining and implementing operating and emergency procedures. Anticipates typical problems, identifies potential or recurring problems, and takes appropriate action. Troubleshoot equipment and assists in diagnosing problem areas. Diagnose performance issues and collaborate with others to implement effective solutions. Works with Management, Engineers and others to identify plant performance shortfalls and areas for continual improvement. Liaises with the Maintenance Manager, Technical & Engineering team and others regarding projects, maintenance, planned and unplanned outages and feasibility studies, evaluation, costing and programming of plant improvements. Manages all operational aspects of the plant including recruitment, induction, appraisal and training of operational staff in accordance with Company procedures. Oversee staff development through structured training programs which provide measurable improvements in productivity, resource utilisation and succession planning. Conducts performance appraisals, recruits, develops and manages the Operations Staff. When necessary, takes appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with Company policy. Create systems to recognise and reward good performance, linking it to career progression and other incentives. Provide direction, guidance, motivation and leadership to all personnel under their control. Undertakes regular communication of key business issues and more local team-specific information through briefings, team meetings or one-to-one communication. Manage the Operations staffing structure ensuring that performance is managed positively and constructively. Establish clear performance expectations and goals for individuals and teams that align with plant objectives. Provide guidance, support, and regular feedback to help employees develop their skills, improve performance, and achieve career goals. Identify and address under performance in a fair and timely manner. Accountable for the completion of any investigation, grievance or disciplinary process, ensuring these are managed against the company policy and procedure and conducted in a fair and measured way. Deliver a positive environment of Team building, engagement & cohesion internally and across the wider business. The Person Education/experience: Have a background in engineering or process operations and hold the following qualifications: Degree or HND / HNC or equivalent in a relevant Engineering discipline (mechanical or electrical) and have previous SAP authorisation. A safety qualification, preferably IOSH or NEBOSH Full UK Driving Licence. Extensive experience of managing a sizeable multi-disciplined process operation with a good technical understanding of combustion, steam and water systems and the effective and safe operation of a power plant. Knowledge of Environmental Permits and associated reporting regime. A proven hands-on leader capable of motivating and inspiring a team to work enthusiastically, with good communication and organisational skills, able to manage, coach and motivate the operations team. Knowledge and understanding of safe vehicle movement systems. Experience of managing budgets and in training and development of staff. Knowledge of Health, Safety and Environmental legislation, regulations, guidance and systems relating to the applications and technology being managed. Only applicants who are legally entitled to work in the UK and are currently resident in the UK are invited to apply. The company is opposed to all forms of discrimination and will select for employment, training and promotion on the basis of suitability for the job and/ or merit. It is company policy that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment than another on the grounds of sex, race, colour, age, ethnic or national origins, political affiliations, religious beliefs, marital status, physical disability or is disadvantaged by unjustifiable conditions or requirements. Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Vital Energi Utilities Ltd is not accepting unsolicited CVs from agencies and/or search firms for this job posting. CVs submitted to any Vital Energi Utilities Ltd employee by a third-party agency and/or search firm without a valid written & signed search agreement, will become the sole property of Vital Energi Utilities Ltd. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.