Plant Manager

Location: (Site-based – Levenshulme, Manchester)
Reports to: Operations Director
Company: IES Utilities Group Ltd
Salary: Competitive + Benefits

About IES Utilities

IES Utilities Group Ltd is a leading UK utilities provider delivering end-to-end infrastructure solutions across Power, Gas, Water, Telecoms, District Heating and Renewables.

The Plant & Fleet function supports the safe, efficient, and compliant delivery of operational works across the UK by managing vehicles, machinery, tools, equipment, maintenance schedules, certification, utilisation, and mobilisation of plant assets. The department plays a critical role in ensuring operational teams have access to the right equipment, at the right time, whilst maintaining the highest standards of safety, compliance, and cost control.

Purpose of the Role

The Plant Manager is responsible for the strategic and operational management of all plant, fleet, tools, and equipment across the business. The role ensures that assets are safe, compliant, cost-effective, and readily available to support operational delivery across all utility divisions.

The postholder will lead the Plant & Fleet team, manage supplier and hire relationships, drive asset utilisation, oversee compliance requirements, and implement continuous improvements in plant management processes and systems.

This role is critical in maximising operational efficiency, reducing downtime, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting business growth through effective asset management.

Key Responsibilities

Plant & Fleet Management

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the Plant & Fleet department.
• Develop and implement plant management strategies aligned to business objectives.
• Ensure all plant, fleet, tools, and equipment are available, maintained, and fit for purpose.
• Manage plant allocation across projects to maximise utilisation and minimise unnecessary hire costs.
• Oversee the acquisition, disposal, replacement, and lifecycle management of assets.
• Maintain accurate asset registers and plant management records.

Compliance, Safety & Governance

• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and industry standards, including LOLER, PUWER, DVSA requirements, and manufacturer recommendations.
• Implement robust inspection, servicing, maintenance, and certification programmes.
• Ensure all plant and fleet assets maintain valid certification and are audit-ready at all times.
• Support internal and external audits, investigations, and compliance reviews.
• Promote a strong health, safety, and environmental culture throughout the department.
• Investigate plant-related incidents, failures, and non-conformances and implement corrective actions.

Maintenance & Operational Readiness

• Oversee planned preventative maintenance programmes for plant and fleet assets.
• Monitor equipment performance, reliability, and downtime trends.
• Develop strategies to reduce breakdowns and improve asset availability.
• Ensure rapid response to plant failures to minimise operational disruption.
• Manage workshop activity, repair schedules, and third-party maintenance providers.
• Monitor asset condition and ensure replacement planning is effectively managed.

Plant Hire & Supplier Management

• Manage relationships with plant hire companies, equipment suppliers, service providers, and manufacturers.
• Negotiate contracts, rates, and service agreements to achieve best value.
• Monitor supplier performance against agreed service levels.
• Review external hire requirements and identify opportunities to increase owned asset utilisation.
• Ensure all hired plant complies with legal and contractual requirements before deployment.

Financial & Cost Control

• Manage departmental budgets, operational expenditure, and capital investment plans.
• Monitor plant operating costs, utilisation rates, maintenance expenditure, and hire costs.
• Identify and deliver cost-saving initiatives across plant and fleet operations.
• Produce business cases for fleet and equipment investment opportunities.
• Ensure strong financial controls and reporting mechanisms are in place.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, develop, and motivate the Plant & Fleet team, including administrators, coordinators, workshop personnel, and supervisors.
• Set departmental objectives and performance targets.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, coaching, and development activities.
• Promote accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure appropriate resource levels are maintained to support operational demand.

Data, Systems & Reporting

• Oversee plant management systems, telematics, asset registers, and reporting platforms.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators relating to compliance, utilisation, downtime, and costs.
• Provide regular management reports and operational insights.
• Support digital transformation initiatives including asset tracking, telematics, barcode systems, and automated compliance monitoring.
• Ensure all records remain accurate, current, and audit compliant.

Environmental & Sustainability Management

• Support the company's environmental objectives through efficient fleet and plant management.
• Promote sustainable practices including fuel efficiency initiatives, emissions reduction, waste management, and responsible disposal of assets.
• Identify opportunities to introduce greener technologies and alternative fuel solutions.
• Ensure environmental compliance across all plant and fleet activities.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive operational excellence through process review and improvement initiatives.
• Benchmark department performance against industry best practice.
• Introduce innovative technologies and working methods to improve efficiency and service delivery.
• Support business growth through scalable plant and fleet management solutions.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement throughout the department.

Key Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in a Plant Manager, Fleet Manager, Depot Manager, Transport Manager, or equivalent leadership role.
• Strong understanding of plant, fleet, tools, and equipment used within utilities, infrastructure, construction, or engineering sectors.
• Detailed knowledge of LOLER, PUWER, DVSA requirements, maintenance planning, and asset compliance.
• Experience managing plant management systems, telematics, and asset registers.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience managing budgets and supplier contracts.
• Demonstrable experience leading and developing teams.
• Excellent organisational, planning, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret operational and financial data.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Desirable Qualifications

• CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) – Transport Management.
• IOSH Managing Safely or NEBOSH Certificate.
• Relevant engineering, mechanical, fleet, or operational management qualification.
• Membership of a relevant professional body.
• Experience within the utilities sector.

Measures of Success

• High levels of plant and fleet compliance across all assets.
• Improved asset utilisation and reduction in external hire spend.
• Reduced equipment downtime and operational disruption.
• Successful delivery of maintenance, servicing, and certification programmes.
• Achievement of departmental budget and cost-saving targets.
• Positive audit outcomes and compliance performance.
• Strong stakeholder satisfaction across operational teams.
• Continued improvement in service delivery, efficiency, and operational readiness.
• Development and retention of a high-performing Plant & Fleet team.