Operations Manager

The opportunity you've been waiting for

You’ll have genuine ownership here. Lead the operation, support the people delivering it and make decisions that clients and colleagues will see every day.

Based in Glasgow, with travel across client sites, you’ll report to the Commercial Director and lead Supervisors across a field-based service operation.

You’ll bring structure to the day, keep standards high and give teams the clarity to do their best work. When something needs fixing, you’ll be close enough to fix it.

How you'll make your mark

Own service delivery

• Oversee planned and reactive maintenance across Alba’s contracts.
• Keep response times, first-time fix rates and productivity KPIs on track.
• Use CAFM systems and operational dashboards to spot trends and take action.
• Improve service quality, efficiency and consistency across contracts.

Lead people well

• Lead, coach and support Supervisors and engineering teams.
• Set clear expectations and build accountability across the operation.
• Support onboarding, training and development for engineers.
• Manage performance, absence and conduct in line with HR policies.

Build trusted client relationships

• Act as the key escalation point for client issues.
• Keep clients informed and confident in service delivery.
• Make sure contractual commitments are delivered consistently.
• Support contract reviews, reporting and client meetings.

Plan the operation

• Plan labour, schedules and resource allocation across contracts.
• Deploy engineers effectively across planned and reactive work.
• Oversee subcontractor performance where required.
• Support the mobilisation of new contracts.

Keep safety and compliance front of mind

• Maintain compliance with health and safety legislation and company policies.
• Promote safe working practices across teams and sites.
• Monitor audits, risk assessments and safe systems of work.

Understand the numbers

• Keep control of labour costs, overtime and subcontractor spend.
• Contribute to contract budgets and cost management.
• Identify additional works and revenue opportunities.

Keep improving how things work

• Champion Alba’s four-day working week through effective planning and productive output.
• Bring teams together to solve problems quickly.
• Improve processes, systems and the flow of information.

What you’ll bring

• Experience in facilities management, engineering services or a similar operational setting.
• Experience leading Supervisors, engineers or operational teams.
• Confidence using CAFM systems and operational reporting.
• A practical understanding of budgets, labour costs and commercial performance.
• Experience managing client relationships and operational escalations.
• Knowledge of health and safety requirements within FM or engineering environments.
• A calm, organised approach when priorities change.

What success looks like

• Contract KPIs are consistently achieved.
• Clients trust the service and the people delivering it.
• Engineering teams are engaged, productive and accountable.
• Health and safety performance remains strong.
• Operational efficiency improves as Alba grows.

What's in it for you

£50,000 to £55,000, with scope to reflect the level of operational leadership and sector expertise you bring.

• Four-day working week. You’re paid for five working days and work four.
• Company car or car allowance.
• Pension contribution.
• Holiday entitlement.
• Real autonomy. You’ll have the space to make decisions and shape how the operation runs.
• Room to progress. Your remit can grow alongside Alba’s contracts and wider business.
• A practical, people-focused culture. Alba invests in its people and gives leaders the trust to take ownership.
• Living Wage employer.

A bit more about Alba

Alba provides facilities and engineering services that keep buildings safe, efficient and operational. Its teams deliver planned and reactive maintenance across client sites, combining practical expertise with a straightforward approach to service.

The business is growing, and this role gives Alba the operational leadership needed to support that growth. You’ll strengthen day-to-day delivery, develop the people around you and help build the systems that keep service consistent as the operation expands.

There’s a four-day working week too. Alba pays for five working days and asks people to work four, with productivity and sensible planning making the model work.

Denholm's take

This role has genuine scope. You’ll have a clear seat at the table, a team to lead and plenty of operational ground to influence. The four-day week makes the proposition even more interesting, especially for someone who knows how much good planning can change the working week.

Alba feels practical and grounded. There’s ambition behind the growth, with the culture and working model to match. If you’d like a confidential conversation about the role, the business and what you could bring, we’d be glad to talk.