Works Manager
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Works Manager
Company: COLAS ROADS UK
Job Location: WARRINGTON, GBR
Type of Contract: Permanent
Posting Start Date: 05/05/2026
Colas Ltd are a UK subsidiary of the global Colas Group, which operates in over 50 countries worldwide and employs over 55,000 people including over 1500 in the UK across multiple sites. We are specialists in highways construction and have been involved in large-scale UK and international construction projects within the highways, airfields, and marine sectors as well as offering highways maintenance services and manufacturing our own innovative surfacing products. We hold a 'Gold Investor in People' award for continuously developing and rewarding our employees, offering excellent career potential.
Job Description:
Purpose of the role
The Works Manager is fully accountable for the safe, efficient, and commercially effective operation of the Warrington bitumen manufacturing facility, which specialises in producing Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB), emulsions, and a successful range of packed products. The role leads all site activities, including production, maintenance, engineering, and administration, ensuring that products are manufactured safely, on time, in full, and to specification while meeting financial, operational, and compliance targets. The Works Manager will create a strong Safety First culture and drive operational excellence, cost control, and continuous improvement across the site.
Main Responsibilities
Overall leadership for the Warrington site involves aligning operations with the company's strategy, values, and performance expectations. Prioritising health and safety is essential, ensuring full compliance with health, safety, and environmental (HSE) regulations, as well as quality standards. This includes leading incident investigations and promoting safe working practices. Ownership of production performance is key, driving deliverables according to the plan and improving key performance indicators (KPIs) such as output, downtime, labour efficiency, and waste management. Effective management of maintenance and engineering ensures high plant reliability, implementation of a robust preventative maintenance programme, and maintenance of statutory compliance. Responsibilities also include managing the site budget, controlling costs, delivering savings, and contributing to forecasting and business planning. Additionally, overseeing stock and supply chain effectiveness, driving continuous improvement initiatives (including 6S), and leading, developing, and performance-managing the site leadership team are crucial aspects of the role.
Ideal Candidate
To qualify for this role, you should possess a degree or equivalent experience in Engineering, Manufacturing, or Operations Management. You should have a proven track record of leading a manufacturing site or managing a large operational area. Strong knowledge in production and maintenance management, asset reliability, and compliance with health, safety, and environmental (HSE) regulations is essential, preferably within heavy manufacturing or similar industries. Additionally, you should be commercially aware and have experience managing budgets and controlling costs. As a confident and visible leader, you must be able to motivate your team, foster development, and hold individuals accountable. Excellent communication skills, sound judgment, and a continuous improvement mindset are crucial for success in this position.
Package Description
Here at Colas, we offer a great total compensation package, including:
- A salary of £60,000 - £70,000 per annum (depending on experience)
- Company Car or Car allowance
- Our Colas Pension Scheme has combined contributions of up to 10%
- Life Assurance Scheme, which is x4 basic salary
- 25 days of annual leave per year + Public Holidays
- Family-Friendly Benefits, including Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay
- Holiday Purchase & Selling Scheme
- Opportunities to study towards a fully funded Professional Qualification
- Ongoing personal/professional development
- Discounts on car leasing, holidays, cinema tickets, restaurants and much more through our online employee benefits portal
At Colas, our culture is guided by four core values: Respect, Commitment, Pioneering, and Sharing. These values shape how we work, collaborate, and grow together. We believe that respect is the foundation of every relationship. By treating others as we wish to be treated, we foster fairness, transparency, and inclusion within our teams and with our clients, communities, and partners. Commitment means dedicating ourselves fully to everything we do. We strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to make a meaningful impact. With a pioneering spirit, we prioritise bold innovation over blind ambition. We welcome new ideas, invest in our people, and work to deliver sustainable infrastructure solutions that shape the future. Through sharing, we build trust and solidarity, encouraging collaboration and growth at all levels of the business.
Colas Ltd is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that mirrors the communities we serve. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you want a workplace where your voice is valued and your potential is developed, Colas is the right choice.
Note to Recruitment Agencies
In line with our Company Policy, Colas Ltd has a preference for direct hiring, and we will reach out to our PSL (Preferred Suppliers List) agencies if the role is eligible for release. We do not accept speculative CVs from agencies. If a speculative CV is sent, no fee will be applicable.
Information at a Glance