Plant Manager / Operations Manager

We’re working with an outstanding marine and civil engineering contractor to recruit a Plant Operations Lead for their head office and plant yard in West Sussex. The company continues to experience steady growth across the South, making this a great opportunity to join a supportive team and take on a role with real influence over day-to-day operations and long-term process improvement.

You’ll play a crucial role in coordinating internal and external plant hire operations, compliance routines, asset management, and team oversight.

This position would suit someone highly organised, confident working across multiple functions, and keen to streamline processes in a busy operational environment. You may have come from a Fleet Manager, Operations Manager or Yard Manager/Foreman Position.

Plant Operations Lead:

* Coordinate daily internal and external plant hire operations, ensuring clear planning, communication, and follow-through.

* Monitor asset utilisation and support improvements to reduce idle equipment.

* Manage non-routine issues such as damages or losses, tracking trends and supporting briefings/toolbox talks.

* Work with the Plant Manager to improve external hire processes and maintain efficient internal supply.

* Support stock control, supplier pricing, and the development of supply agreements.

* Oversee compliance routines and provide management support across Stores, Internal Hire, External Hire, and (when required) Workshop/Fleet.

* Maintain visibility of incoming/outgoing plant to support scheduling, turnaround, and key deadlines.

* Support development of reporting, data-sharing, and equipment information for internal teams.

* Contribute to toolbox talks, key updates, and monthly reporting on hire activity and trends