West Zone Vegetation Manager

Lanes Group Ltd is a leading nationwide utility services provider with c.5000 dedicated employees. Our diverse subsidiaries drive our success across various sectors, contributing to a remarkable turnover of over £650 million. We are committed to excellence and innovation, ensuring we provide industry leading services to our clients and stakeholders. Join us to be part of a dynamic and growing team that values diversity and fosters professional growth.

Department:
Rail plays a key part in the business that has been providing trusted rail infrastructure services for more than 30 years. Delivering drainage, vegetation and minor civils solutions across the Transport For London network, the team are dedicated to ensuring the safety, reliability, and accessibility of the rail environment for the millions of passengers who rely on it every day.

Purpose of the role:

The successful candidate will be responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant delivery of all planned and reactive vegetation works within their geographical area. Working closely with the Vegetation Manager, operational teams, and client representatives, you will ensure that contractual obligations, performance targets, and safety requirements are consistently achieved.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the day-to-day delivery of all vegetation management activities across the West Zone.
• Lead and support the West Zone Works Controller, ensuring effective planning and allocation of resources.
• Ensure all works are delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with contractual requirements.
• Monitor performance against programme, productivity, quality, and KPI targets.
• Manage supervisors, operatives, subcontractors, and agency labour within the zone.
• Ensure all works are adequately resourced with competent personnel, plant, and equipment.
• Work closely with the Labour Resource Manager and Training Coordinator to address competency, recruitment, and training requirements.
• Attend client meetings and represent Lanes in operational discussions relating to the West Zone.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with TfL representatives and key stakeholders.
• Monitor and control operational costs, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and productivity.
• Investigate operational issues, incidents, and performance concerns, implementing corrective actions where required.
• Ensure all documentation, reporting, and work records are completed accurately and within required timescales.
• Support emergency and reactive vegetation works as operational requirements dictate.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, safety, and accountability throughout the zone.

Key Requirements

Skills & Experience:

• Proven experience in an operational management role within vegetation management, rail, infrastructure, utilities, or a related industry.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Experience managing operational programmes and workforce deployment.
• Good understanding of health, safety, and environmental requirements within a rail or infrastructure environment.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working directly with clients and managing operational performance.
• Good IT literacy, including Microsoft Office and workforce management systems.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Desirable:

• Strong leader with a proactive and positive approach.
• Organised and capable of managing multiple priorities.
• Results-driven with a focus on operational performance.
• Calm and decisive under pressure.
• Excellent communicator with the ability to build strong relationships.
• Committed to maintaining high standards of safety and quality.

Living the Company Values

By embedding our companies core values and purpose into each role, ensures that every employee, regardless of their role or level, understands how their individual development and contributions align with our purpose of ‘improving today for a better tomorrow’.

Each role and value has an alignment to set proficiency levels and expectations; this role holder is expected to:

• Leading: Acts as a role model, shaping the learning agenda and influencing change.
• Agile: Anticipates learning needs, adjusts quickly to changing operational contexts.
• Nurturing: Supports the development of others through coaching and structured development plans.
• Engaging: Inspires and motivates learners, builds trust and credibility
• Safe & Secure: Ensures all learning is aligned to safety and compliance standards.

Your Contribution to the company:

• Strive to be always positive and constructive
• Adhere to all company policies
• Straight talking about the facts of the situation – open discussions are the best way to find solutions
• Help others through communicating clearly
• Deliver on commitments
• Ensure that any ideas that may enhance the productivity or systems of the company are brought to the attention of Senior Management, or your colleagues
• Deliver our Company Values understanding that by working together in unity we are ‘Stronger Together’

Equality, Diversion & Inclusion

At Lanes Group, we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. We believe that our differences make us stronger and are committed to providing equal opportunities for all employees. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups. Join us in our commitment to creating a more inclusive and diverse world.

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