Operations Manager

At Certas Energy we’re keen to take a lead in the industry. We have a culture of strong safety and compliance principles, driven by our dedicated Safety F1rst and Doing the Right Thing (compliance) Initiative. Health and safety is paramount to our business ethos – it is fundamental to good business performance, and integral to long-term business success.

How you’ll power our business as a Depot Operations Manager in Ellesmere Port

As a Depot Operations Manager, you’ll be responsible for effectively managing depot operations, optimising driver productivity while ensuring the highest standards of Health, Safety and Environmental compliance. You’ll lead the day-to-day operation of the depot, managing drivers, transport, stock and operational costs while ensuring our people, vehicles and facilities operate safely, efficiently and in line with company standards. You’ll play a key role in developing and supporting your team, delivering excellent customer service and driving operational performance against agreed KPIs and business objectives.

At Certas Energy, we're the UK's largest independent distributor of fuel and lubricants, serving homes, businesses and industries through a nationwide network of depots and delivery operations. Our people play a vital role in keeping communities, businesses and critical infrastructure moving every day. With safety at the heart of everything we do, we're committed to our Safety F1rst culture, delivering exceptional service to customers while supporting the UK's evolving energy needs. As part of DCC Energy, you'll join a business that combines the strength of a market-leading organisation with the support and opportunities to build a rewarding long-term career.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Promote a positive Health and Safety culture in line with Safety F1rst principles and demonstrate through your own behaviour that the highest HSE standards are always expected.
• Take responsibility for the safety of yourself, your team, colleagues, contractors, visitors and customers within the workplace.
• Ensure a safe depot environment by identifying and escalating risks, completing risk assessments and ensuring accidents and incidents are appropriately reported, investigated and followed up.
• Complete and oversee daily, weekly and monthly HSEQ checks, audits, inspections and vehicle spot checks, ensuring any remedial actions are completed.
• Maintain effective depot permit controls and ensure the depot operates in line with company standards, procedures and relevant legislation.
• Ensure staff and contractors receive appropriate induction, information and training relating to hazards, risks, equipment and processes.
• Manage and challenge operational costs, ensuring best practices are followed across driver routing, transport and truck operations.
• Actively manage own and third-party drivers and transport, including driver availability, holidays, servicing and maintenance.
• Work closely with the Routing and Transport teams to forward-plan driver and vehicle availability and support effective scheduling.
• Manage depot stock, including daily stock management, stock reconciliation and investigation of losses and gains.
• Ensure daily delivery confirmations and relevant operational information are accurately recorded and communicated.
• Develop and implement procedures and work instructions to ensure depot operations and maintenance are carried out in line with company policies.
• Coordinate depot audits and external agency visits, including VOSA, FTA, HSE and EA.
• Monitor, improve and report operational and HSE KPIs to the Regional Operations Manager.
• Ensure drivers follow all company procedures and policies, including Working Time Directive requirements.
• Ensure vehicles are available, operating effectively and accurately recorded on the relevant systems.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date operational records, including Well-worker, Trident, WTD, SMART Analysis, CODAS and Cascade.
• Monitor vehicle mileage and consumption and ensure Working Time Directive information and driver files are maintained accurately.
• Liaise with Trident Engineering and Senior Management regarding capital investment and major maintenance programmes.
• Manage operating costs and budgets, monitoring and reporting depot and transport performance against agreed budgets and KPIs.
• Work closely with internal departments to maintain excellent customer service and provide first-line support to the sales team for customer complaints and enquiries.
• Ensure customer enquiries relating to product availability, delivery times, order status and product information are resolved promptly and professionally.
• Monitor and resolve customer delivery defects, supporting effective communication and customer retention.
• Complete driver debriefs and manage the day-to-day performance of drivers against agreed KPIs.
• Create and communicate staff rotas in line with business demand and ensure adherence to them.
• Motivate, develop and support the depot team, identifying development and succession opportunities.
• Conduct annual appraisals and half-yearly reviews, hold regular team meetings and 1:1s, and ensure required Health & Safety meetings and team briefings take place.
• Ensure new, transferred and promoted colleagues receive appropriate general and role-specific induction training.
• Manage sickness and annual leave processes and support HR activity including recruitment, disciplinary matters, grievances, appeals, training and appraisals.
• Administer driver payroll, including checking claimed hours and ensuring optimum use of Working Time Directive hours.
• Promote teamwork, company values and business objectives while taking responsibility for your own personal development.

What We’ll Need From You

• Previous line management experience is desirable, with the ability to motivate, develop and manage a team effectively.
• Knowledge of, or previous experience within, the fuel distribution industry is desirable.
• Strong knowledge of EU driving hours and Working Time Directive requirements is essential.
• Driver CPC and CPC qualifications are required.
• A PDP (Petroleum Drivers Passport) is desirable.
• C&E Licence is required.
• ADR qualification is desirable.
• HSE qualifications would be an advantage.
• Experience of conducting appraisals and performance management is desirable.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively in a busy operational environment.
• Good listening skills and excellent communication abilities.
• A high degree of self-motivation, with a resilient, persistent and tenacious approach.
• The ability to manage change effectively is essential.
• A strong commitment to Health, Safety and Environmental standards and compliance.
• The ability to analyse operational performance, identify opportunities for improvement and take appropriate action.
• A collaborative approach, with the ability to build effective relationships across internal teams and with external stakeholders.
• A commitment to delivering excellent customer service while balancing operational efficiency, safety and business requirements.

Why join Certas Energy?

At Certas Energy, our people are key to our success. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can thrive and develop their career.

What You’ll Get From Us

• The opportunity to lead the day-to-day operations of a busy depot within a market-leading energy business.
• A role where Health, Safety and Environmental performance is at the heart of everything you do.
• The opportunity to lead, motivate and develop a team, with responsibility for performance, engagement and succession planning.
• Support for your personal and professional development through appraisals, coaching and regular 1:1s.
• The opportunity to work collaboratively with teams across Certas Energy and DCC Energy.
• A varied operational role covering people, transport, vehicles, stock, customer service, HSE and financial performance.
• The opportunity to contribute directly to improving operational efficiency, customer experience and business performance.
• A long-term career opportunity within DCC Energy, combining the strength of a market-leading organisation with opportunities for development.

Doing right by everyone

People matter at Certas Energy. We’re an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all regardless of age, disability, gender identity or gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race (which includes race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin and caste) religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or educational background. We’re committed to doing right by our people, so we all feel engaged, motivated and proud to work for Certas Energy.