Water Production Manager

Job Description

Salary - Competitive Salary
Work Type - Onsite
Job Location - Wybersley Water Treatment Works, Andrew Lane, High Lane, Stockport, SK6 8HY
Role Type - Permanent
Employment Type - Full Time
Working Hours -

United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution.

Benefits

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service (increases one day per year), in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Up to 10.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
• MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

The Role:

To lead and inspire a combined team of operations and maintenance employees across a number of wholesale production assets. The Production Manager will performance manage their team and the assets within the production area to ensure a safe, efficient and compliant outcome.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Overall leadership of production assets: Act as a General Manager accountable for the safe, efficient operation and maintenance of wholesale production assets, balancing technical, people, financial, and customer priorities.
• Financial and performance accountability: Own the operations and maintenance budget, deliver the financial and operational business plan, and ensure asset performance meets agreed targets.
• Compliance, safety, and resilience: Maintain and continuously improve regulatory compliance, efficiency, Health & Safety, security, and emergency preparedness across all sites.
• People management and capability development: Lead, performance‑manage, and develop direct reports, identifying skills gaps and training needs in line with HR policies.
• Strategic collaboration and change delivery: Work closely with internal teams, regulators, and customers, contribute to wholesale leadership, promote proactive maintenance, share best practice, and lead change required to deliver the business plan sustainably.

What We Are Looking For:

• Managerial and leadership skills are critical for this role to deliver performance through a team of people responsible for wholesale production assets. The ability to motivate a team and deliver high performance across a 24/7 service is fundamental to this role
• Experience of managing operational budgets and delivering innovative solutions to improve the sustainable operating cost of a production type operation
• Good understanding of operations and maintenance strategies and preferably have some production line experience and the ability to react and keep production moving
• Effective communication skills able to liaise with internal and external stakeholders
• Education, ideally to HNC level (or equivalent) and an experienced line manager in a process or maintenance environment
• A good level understanding of the regulatory and legislative framework surrounding the operation and maintenance of wholesale production assets
• Analytical skills and the ability to drive solutions to a wide range of technical and managerial problems, whilst also knowing when to stop and ask for help from support colleagues

We rely on every employee to ensure our customers receive the best possible service, day in, day out. In return, we ensure that you will be well rewarded for your efforts, from an excellent salary through to development opportunities that will really kick start a thriving career here at UU.