Murphy is recruiting for a Operations Manager to work with Water in the North West.

We provide end-to-end services for major water and sewage companies such as Thames Water, Severn Trent Water, Northern Ireland Water, Yorkshire Water and United Utilities, and for several water-only companies including SES Water, Bristol Water and South East Water.

We also provide a full design, build, operate and maintain service for Uisce Éireann and we currently operate over 25 of their facilities, ensuring they run efficiently and comply fully with EPA regulations.

The Operations Manager will oversee the safe, compliant and commercially effective operation of contracted effluent-treatment and anaerobic-digestion facilities. Acting as the primary interface between Aqua Operations and client site teams, the role is responsible for plant performance, contractual service levels, regulatory compliance, cost control, asset protection, reporting and team development.

A day in the life of a Murphy Operations Manager

• Manage client partnerships, coordination meetings, escalations, non-conformances and performance reviews.
• Ensure delivery against contractual scope, service-level agreements and key performance indicators.
• Oversee daily operation of effluent-treatment and anaerobic-digestion plants, including staffing and shift coverage.
• Monitor plant availability, treated-water quality, recovery and discharge parameters against consent conditions.
• Support sites in responding to unnatural loads, shock loads and process upsets.
• Ensure compliance with Environment Agency requirements, consent conditions, ISO standards and company HSQE policies.
• Align internal and external audits and promote PPE, permit-to-work and toolbox-talk requirements.
• Monitor O&M costs, including chemicals, energy, spares and subcontracted services, and support budgeting, billing and invoice verification.
• Support maintenance planning and protect client assets through effective operation and maintenance practices.
• Ensure availability of critical equipment, including RO and MBR systems, blowers, pumps, AD equipment and gas consumers.

Still interested, does this sound like you?

• Relevant engineering qualification or equivalent operational background.
• Between 5 and 10 years’ experience in industrial effluent or wastewater operations and maintenance.
• Strong knowledge of O&M contracts, service levels and performance management.
• Deep technical understanding of effluent-treatment plants and anaerobic digestion.
• Strong client-facing, negotiation and conflict-resolution skills.
• Experience in budgeting, cost control and P&L support.
• Sound understanding of HSQE requirements and environmental regulatory frameworks.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, SCADA, ERP systems and reporting dashboards.