Assistant Operations Manager in Bristol

Job Role: Assistant Operations Manager

Location: Bristol - Lawrence Hill and Hengrove

Are you looking for a new and exciting challenge in your career? Are you looking for progression in your career? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you here at First Bus!

Here at First Bus, we are one of the UK's largest bus operators and we're going through an exciting transformation. We're investing in our colleagues, our customers, and new state-of-the-art buses.

This is a new and exciting role in our operational structure in Bristol.

We are currently looking for an Assistant Operations Manager who possess great commercial and people management skills, to manage operations at our Lawrence Hill and Hengrove Depot, as well as our Marsh Street driver facility.

You will be responsible for managing our operations with over 680+ employees (this is currently increasing) including Supervisors, Staff Managers and Bus Drivers. This is an exciting time to join the business as we are currently going through a big change with branding and with the company becoming more environmentally friendly with our fleet of vehicles.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• To develop trusting working relationships amongst all colleagues by being visible around the depot, engaging with drivers, local management team and all departments
• To lead colleagues through processes of continuous improvement, encouraging ideas and innovation, and recognising achievement
• To engage and develop an effective working relationship with recognised trade union representatives and officials.
• To lead, inspire and motivate colleagues within your areas of responsibility.
• To be the lead Site Responsible Person for all aspects of depot compliance and governance
• To ensure safe, punctual, reliable, and cost-effective delivery of services
• To manage exceptions, but then to utilise continuous improvement to reduce the number and impact of those exceptions.
• To deliver excellent customer experience by analysing leading and lagging indicators (e.g., complaints, contacts, feedback, commendations) and acting upon insights
• To deliver agreed plans and budgets, including established level of service and service quality

Skills / Experience

• Previous management experience (within the bus/transport industry preferred, but not essential)
• Previous Transport Manager qualification is desirable, but not essential – but would be willing to obtain the qualification once in the role.
• Creativity: the ability to problem-solve in a creative, yet structured, manner
• Ability to maintain a view of the big picture yet have a depth of knowledge of the detailed day-to-day requirements of running a depot.
• Analytical mindset and ability to extract insights from data.
• Ability to lead and inspire people to seek and follow operational best practice.

Rewards & Benefits

• Your health is important to us which is why we offer Simply Health & Smart Health for you and your dependents at no cost to you! This offering includes cash back benefits across optical & dental as well as virtual GP appointments, mental health support and nutrition and fitness advise. Our EAP provision offers 24hr, 365 days a year mental health support
• We are also committed to your financial wellbeing, and we offer a platform with many discounts on high street brands and supermarkets etc
• Working at First you also receive discounted train travel for you and your family after 6 months service as well as a free bus pass
• Cycle to work scheme
• 25 days' holiday + bank holidays
• Pension scheme and chance to buy discounted First Group shares
• Enhanced maternity / paternity pay
• Flexible working

We put a big focus on physical and mental wellbeing at First Bus. We recognise that anyone can be affected by the stresses and strain of work, or life outside it. You'll find a range of health-promotion initiatives, and you will have 24/7 access to our confidential Employee Assistance Programme.

Please apply now. We look forward to receiving your application.

Public transport serves everyone, whatever their differences. At First Bus, we want to be an employer open to you, no matter what your differences are. We aspire to be an inclusive organisation because diverse backgrounds, thinking and experiences bring so many benefits to our customers, communities and people. We welcome applications from all.