Operations Manager - Pipework Fabrication

We prefer to hire directly, and we will be in touch with our PSL Agencies if this role is eligible for release.

We do not accept speculative CVs from agencies. If speculative CVs are sent, no fee will be applicable – please direct all queries to the relevant Resourcing Partner.

Role: Operations Manager - Pipework Fabrication

Location: Keighley, West Yorkshire

We are looking for an Operations Manager to provide operational leadership for our Keighley fabrication business. This role is responsible for ensuring the successful delivery of fabricated pipework and associated fabrication projects while driving business growth, profitability and operational excellence.

As an Operations Manager, you will lead the facility's people, processes and performance, helping to create a culture of safety, quality, collaboration and continuous improvement. You will play a key role in delivering customer requirements, achieving business objectives and developing the capability and capacity of the operation to support future growth.

What you'll be doing

• Working closely with the Operations Director and the wider Fabrication Leadership Team to ensure alignment across the business, promoting Galliford Try's vision, values and culture while supporting the continued growth of the Keighley fabrication operation.
• Providing leadership across the fabricated pipework business, enabling teams to achieve high standards of safety, quality, customer service and commercial performance.
• Leading Health, Safety, Environmental and Wellbeing activities within the facility, ensuring compliance with legislation, company procedures and statutory requirements while promoting a positive safety culture.
• Ensuring projects are delivered in line with client requirements, programme commitments and commercial objectives, identifying opportunities to improve value, efficiency, sustainability and carbon reduction.
• Maintaining compliance with company governance, commercial processes and financial controls, ensuring robust contract management and effective risk management throughout project lifecycles.
• Overseeing the successful delivery of fabricated pipework projects from tender handover through design, procurement, manufacture, testing and installation, ensuring quality, cost and programme objectives are achieved.
• Building and maintaining strong working relationships with clients, suppliers, subcontractors and internal stakeholders.
• Driving operational excellence through effective resource planning, workload management and supply chain engagement, ensuring the best use of labour, plant and materials.
• Monitoring operational and financial performance, taking proactive action to improve productivity, profitability, delivery performance and customer satisfaction.
• Supporting the recruitment, development and retention of talented people through effective leadership, coaching, mentoring and succession planning.
• Ensuring fabrication and welding activities comply with all relevant standards, including BS EN 1090, BS EN ISO 3834 and company Business Management System requirements.
• Collaborating with Health & Safety, Commercial, Quality, Environmental and HR teams to implement improvement initiatives and achieve business objectives.
• Championing continuous improvement across operational processes, manufacturing methods and quality systems to enhance efficiency, reduce waste and improve competitiveness.
• Acting as a role model for the Company's purpose, vision, values and behaviours.
• Preparing and presenting operational, commercial and performance reports to senior management and contributing to strategic business planning as required.

About you

We recognise that candidates may not meet every requirement listed below. If your experience is relevant and you are excited by the opportunity, we encourage you to apply

Qualifications and Technical Knowledge

• ONC, HNC, HND, Degree or NVQ Level 4/5 (or equivalent experience) in Mechanical Engineering, Fabrication, Welding, Manufacturing or a related engineering discipline.
• IOSH Managing Safely or an equivalent Health & Safety qualification.
• SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme) or an equivalent management-level safety qualification.
• CSCS Manager Card.
• Knowledge of BS EN 1090 and BS EN ISO 3834 quality requirements.
• Understanding of pressure systems, fabricated pipework and welding quality standards.

Competency Requirements

• Experience of managing fabrication, pipework manufacturing and site installation operations within a contracting, manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Experience of working under NEC forms of contract, with an understanding of the commercial considerations associated with project delivery.
• Knowledge of the water, wastewater, infrastructure and/or process industries.
• Experience leading, developing and supporting multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong commercial awareness, including the ability to review project performance, manage budgets and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability.
• Ability to make informed decisions in a fast-paced operational environment while managing risk effectively.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with clients, suppliers, subcontractors and colleagues.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and operational reporting systems.

What We Can Offer in Return

With an impressive order book of over £4.3 billion we are one of the industry’s leading principal contractors, affording you the opportunity to work on some of the UK’s most exciting projects offering you stability as well as the chance to stretch your capabilities and realise long held career goals. You will be joining diverse teams working at a high professional level with exceptional levels of commitment. With an ambitious strategy, we’re poised for further growth and success, so if you’re committed, talented and enthusiastic, Galliford Try is the right place for you.

We are committed to maintaining the physical and mental wellbeing of all our people, through our ‘Be Well’ programme which offers discounts on certain products, advice and support for a range of issues.

We invest in high-quality training for employees of all levels, from our leadership development framework to our apprenticeship programmes. Through our Career Paths initiative, individuals receive tailored training and support to fulfil their potential.

Our industry is all about creating talented teams that excel in their areas of expertise. As an employer, we know you are most motivated to give your best when you feel valued and engaged.

Our Agile Working programme empowers you with flexibility in when, where and how you work. Where appropriate, site and office-based employees can take advantage of a wide variety of working practices, offering different amounts of structure, regularity and flexibility to suit your needs as well as those of your wider team.

Our Benefits

We put our people first and our benefits package reflects that by offering a comprehensive range of attractive options to help support your career on top of a competitive salary.

• Generous holiday entitlement, increasing with years of service, plus the opportunity to purchase further holidays
• A wide range of corporate discounts
• Cycle to Work schemes
• Comprehensive pension plan
• Regular Save as You Earn share purchase scheme
• Private medical scheme options are available for all salaried employees and our employee assistance programme also provides free 24/7 support to those who need it
• Paid for yearly membership to one recognised professional association relevant to your role

Our purpose is to improve people’s lives through building the facilities and infrastructure that communities need, providing opportunities for our people to learn, grow and progress, working with our supply chain to promote the very best working practice and caring for the environment in which we work.

We do this by holding true to our values, delivering excellence for our clients and the community, being passionate about our role in providing vital services, putting integrity at the heart of our business by doing the right thing, and collaborating with our clients, supply chain and stakeholders to deliver lasting change and long-term value.

For more information on this role or to enquire about other positions available within our business please contact Sign in to view email

Additional Information

Galliford Try welcomes applications from candidates who would like to work full-time, reduced hours or flexibly and this will be discussed in more detail as part of the recruitment process.

We encourage, and would be grateful if, you could confirm any requirements we can reasonably fulfil to make this application a positive experience for you.

Don’t meet every requirement of the role? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Galliford Try, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement of the role, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

As a Disability Confident employer, we have committed to offer an interview to any candidate with a long-term health condition or disability that meet the essential criteria for the advertised position. Please contact the Resourcing Partner listed within the job advert if you believe this applies to you. We will also take the opportunity to discuss any adjustments required for your interview.

A full job description for this role is available upon request.