Deputy Plant Manager

Six Degrees are delighted to be assisting a respected, high-growth business as they recruit an Assistant Plant Manager to help shape the next stage of their operational evolution. The successful candidate will play a key role in introducing new practices, strengthening processes and guiding teams through a phased workshop transformation.

Overview

The Assistant Plant Manager supports the strategic and operational management of all heavy plant, workshops and engineering activity across a multi-site environment. This role will contribute to the continuous development of plant maintenance, processes and aid in managing a growing fleet of heavy plant machinery.

Working closely with the Plant Manager, you will help lead the transformation of workshop operations, embedding new standards, improving asset reliability in a quickly growing business.

Core Purpose

• Strengthen the day-to-day running of plant and workshop operations.
• Lead the phased evolution of workshops into a modern, efficient, well-controlled engineering function.
• Bring clarity, structure and process into a fast-paced environment.
• Support and coach people through change, ensuring buy-in, consistency and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

Operational & Workshop Management

• Oversee daily workshop activity, ensuring plant is serviced, repaired and prepared to meet operational demand.
• Support the continuous improvement of standard operating procedures, maintenance workflows and engineering controls.
• Ensure workshops operate with discipline, cleanliness and compliance at all times.

Phased Workshop Evolution & Change Delivery

• Work with the Plant Manager to design and deliver a phased improvement plan covering:
• Workshop layout and workflow redesign
• Improved stock, parts and tooling control
• Clear role definitions and performance expectations
• Monitor progress, identify gaps and ensure each phase is embedded before moving to the next.
• Champion continuous improvement and challenge legacy practices constructively.

People Leadership & Change Management

• Assist leading and supporting engineers and service staff
• Build trust, set expectations and coach individuals to adopt new ways of working.
• Address resistance to change with clarity, consistency and a solutions-focused approach.
• Promote a culture of accountability, safety and pride in workmanship.

Maintenance & Compliance

• Support planned and reactive maintenance programmes to maximise uptime and asset life.
• Ensure compliance with LOLER, PUWER, RIDDOR and internal safety standards.
• Assist with contractor management.
• Maintain high standards of documentation, audit readiness and regulatory compliance.

Commercial & Cost Control

• Support budget management, cost tracking and identification of savings opportunities.
• Improve parts management, stock control and supplier performance.
• Aid in reducing downtime and avoidable expenditure within the service department

Key Skills & Experience

• Experience in plant, engineering, workshop or fleet management within construction, civils, quarrying, waste or utilities.
• Strong understanding of plant maintenance, diagnostics and workshop operations.
• Demonstrated ability to introduce structure, process and discipline into operational teams.
• Experience supporting or delivering change programmes.
• Confident communicator with the ability to influence and coach people at all levels.
• Highly organised, methodical and proactive, with strong follow-through.
• IT-literate with experience using asset management or maintenance systems.

Personal Attributes

• Calm, steady and credible during periods of change.
• Practical, hands-on and solutions-driven.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust quickly.
• High integrity, safety-focused and committed to raising standards.
• A “finisher” who ensures improvements are embedded, not just introduced