General Manager – Plant Hire Operations (321cm) - Keston, Greater London

General Manager – Plant Hire Operations (321cm) - Keston, Greater London - £55,000 per annum negotiable depending on experience)

The Opportunity
Our client is seeking an experienced and capable General Manager at an established plant hire business based in Keston, Greater London.

DUE TO THE NATURE OF THIS RECRUITMENT CONSULTANCY, WE ARE ONLY ABLE TO REPRESENT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EX MILITARY.

This is an exciting opportunity for a former military professional with strong leadership, operational management and organisational skills to take on a newly created position within a growing business.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will assume responsibility for the day-to-day management of depot operations, leading an established team and ensuring the business operates safely, efficiently and effectively.

The successful candidate will play an important role in supporting the Managing Director by taking ownership of operational activities, allowing them to focus on developing the business and strengthening customer relationships.

We are particularly interested in hearing from former Armed Forces personnel who have held positions of significant responsibility involving personnel leadership, engineering operations, equipment management, transport, logistics or other complex operational environments.

Previous experience within the plant hire industry is advantageous but not essential. We are equally interested in candidates who can demonstrate the leadership qualities, practical judgement and transferable management skills needed to succeed in this role.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Management
- Oversee the daily running of the depot, ensuring efficient and effective operations.
- Coordinate equipment availability, maintenance, servicing, repairs and associated logistics.
- Maintain high operational standards and ensure established quality management procedures are followed.
- Identify opportunities to improve processes, productivity and operational performance.

Leadership & People Management
- Provide clear direction, leadership and support to four direct reports and their wider teams.
- Establish accountability, set objectives and monitor performance.
- Support staff development, recruitment and effective workforce planning.
- Foster a positive, professional and safety-conscious working environment.

Health, Safety & Compliance
- Maintain high standards of health, safety and environmental compliance.
- Oversee workplace inspections, risk assessments and corrective actions.
- Ensure equipment is maintained and operated in accordance with relevant regulations and industry standards.

Asset & Resource Management
- Monitor the availability, condition and effective utilisation of plant and equipment.
- Coordinate resources to meet operational and customer requirements.
- Identify equipment and infrastructure investment needs and communicate recommendations to senior management.

Commercial Awareness & Reporting
- Apply sound resource management principles and maintain awareness of operational costs.
- Monitor key performance indicators and contribute to improving business efficiency.
- Provide regular operational reports and updates to the Managing Director.
- Develop an understanding of the company's financial objectives, budgets and commercial performance.

Customer & Supplier Relationships
- Maintain productive working relationships with customers, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
- Support the delivery of reliable, professional and responsive customer service.

About You
We are looking for a confident, organised and approachable leader who can take responsibility, make sound decisions and manage competing operational priorities.

You will ideally offer:
- Significant leadership and management experience gained during military service or in a comparable operational environment.
- Experience managing personnel, resources, equipment or complex operational activities.
- The ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and develop effective working relationships.
- Strong organisational, communication and problem-solving skills.
- A practical understanding of workplace safety, risk management and compliance.
- Confidence in making decisions, resolving problems and taking ownership of operational performance.
- Good IT literacy and the ability to use management, reporting and scheduling systems.
- Commercial awareness and a willingness to develop further financial management skills.

Experience in engineering support, fleet management, transport operations, logistics, equipment maintenance or similar environments would be particularly relevant.

A recognised leadership qualification, IOSH or NEBOSH certification, or previous exposure to civilian operational management would be beneficial, although not essential.

Why Consider This Opportunity?
- £55,000 annual salary, with potential flexibility depending on experience.
- Performance-related bonus scheme.
- Pension and benefits package.
- Newly created management position with meaningful responsibility and autonomy.
- Direct working relationship with the Managing Director.
- Opportunity to apply military leadership and operational experience within a commercial environment.
- Scope to develop commercial management skills and contribute to the continued growth of the business.

Interested?
If you are a former military professional with the leadership ability, operational experience and confidence to take ownership of a busy working environment, we would welcome your application.
You do not need to have followed a traditional civilian management career path to be considered. We are interested in what you have achieved, the responsibilities you have held and the transferable skills you can bring to the business.

To learn more or apply, send your CV to Charles McKinney at Ex-Mil Recruitment Ltd