Assistant Operations Manager

National Express are recruiting an experienced Assistant Operations Manager to join the team, based at our Stansted location. The successful candidate will lead, motivate and develop a team of drivers to ensure that the business needs are met in terms of efficient and economical operations and that our customers receive an excellent experience from engaged, professional, well trained drivers. 

What you'll do:

• Carry out competency assessments and monitoring of the drivers and trainee drivers at the frequency and in the manner specified as set down in the company procedures to maximise performance and engagement and ensure that team members are fit for duty.  Ensure that all your team members are clear on expected standards, behaviours and performance
• Record fitness for duty checks of drivers at the frequency laid down in the company procedures using the corporate and departmental briefing material and incorporating any local requirements identified by the Operations Manager
• Ensure that adequate security and safety arrangements are in place for all staff under your control and if applicable, for premises that you are responsible for including ensuring staff have relevant safety equipment (PPE) for their roles and that key policies like working time/rest breaks, driving standards and drugs & alcohol policies are adhered to
• Effectively manage short term and long term absence, ensuring contact is maintained with sick employees (including home visits where required), appropriate follow up letters are sent, all return to work interviews are carried out in a timely way and that the Formal Attendance Review process is followed in conjunction with support from HR as required
• Carry out briefings of drivers and trainees drivers and deliver other communication in an engaging, timely and professional way and at the frequency laid down in the company procedures using corporate and departmental briefing material in incorporating any local requirements identified by the Operations Manager
• In accordance with the company procedure requirements, make recommendations to the appropriate Operations Manager concerning any driver that may require additional monitoring due to identified sub-standard performance or other factors. Apply special monitoring plans  and support  in line with the company PIP in respect of such drivers identified  seeking specialist advice as required
• Implement the safety standards (developed by the Operational Standards Department) at the driver depots including ensuring six monthly safety checks are carried out and ensure all drivers within the team adhere to safety standards and procedures
• Ensure adequate supervision, inspection, care, management, direction and control of drivers in line with global standards and division policies, referred to as ‘Driver Oversight’. Empowering managers/supervisors to make decisions outside of the norm when faced with safety concerns
• Report all accidents/incidents/infringements making sure they are investigated and managed in line with the relevant company procedures and appropriate follow up remedial action is taken
• Prepare, implement local emergency plans
• Be accountable for all budgetary arrangements delegated to by the appropriate Operations Manager, enable adequate resourcing of safety responsibilities and the NX safety management system
• Ensure remedial actions from all risk assessments, audits and PGI’s are addressed

What you'll need:

• Must have Management CPC qualification or be willing work towards
• Must be occupationally competent as a PCV driver and retain that competence through planned coach driving activities in line with the standards and be regularly assessed in the activity
• Good working knowledge of UK & EU Drivers Hours Regulations
• Experience of managing and motivating a diverse team in a unionised environment to deliver excellent standards of performance
• Ability to handle complex employee processes such as ill health/welfare procedures,  disciplinaries, grievances and accident investigations
• Be a team player, working effectively with other managers to agree cohesive management decisions and processes
• Be able to communicate effectively both verbally and written to ensure key messages / communications are received by employees in a timely, effective and recognisable way
• Experience of adjusting management style where required to show empathy and support when warranted whilst having the ability to conduct more difficult conversations in a fair and balanced way 
• Confident in working with financial indicators including performance league tables
• Good working knowledge of e-mail, Word, Excel & PowerPoint

What we offer in return for your hard work and commitment...

• Free Bus & Coach travel for yourself
• Complimentary coach travel for a Nominated Person or complimentary bus travel for a Spouse or Partner
• 50% discount for friends and family on full fares on our coach services
• Life Assurance
• Company pension
• Employee Assistance programme
• Private online GP service

National Express is committed to creating an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community. 

We are a Disability Confident Committed employer and should you require any adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process please let us know.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications before the advertised closed date.

Things to Note...

At National Express, we are really proud of our health and safety record and as a result, we operate a Drugs and Alcohol Policy which is applicable to all employees.

As part of your initial assessment, we will complete Drug and Alcohol testing and you may be subject to random tests during your employment.