Head of Logistics & Agricultural Services
Job number UU05466 | Country: United Kingdom | Region: Manchester | Location: Davyhulme Wastewater Treatment Works, Trafford Way, Urmston, Manchester, M17 8DD | Posting End Date: 07/05/2026 | Band: 3 | Role Type: Permanent | Work hours: 37 Hours per Week | Salary: Competitive Salary
Senior Operational Leadership | Strategy, Scale & Transformation
We are seeking an exceptional senior operational leader to take full ownership of one of our most critical and complex functions: Logistics & Agricultural Services.
Reporting directly to the Bioresource and Green Energy Director, this is a high-impact Head of role with accountability for strategy, performance, compliance, people, and financial outcomes across HGV logistics, biosolids recycling, agricultural land services, and specialist operational support.
This role sits at the heart of our operation — shaping strategy, leading large-scale delivery, and driving transformation at pace and scale.
The Role
As Head of Logistics & Agricultural Services, you will provide senior leadership and strategic direction across all logistics and agricultural operations, spanning bioresource interworks activity, recycling of biosolids to land, and industrial cleaning services.
You will be the named senior manager on the Transport Operators Licence, with full accountability for fleet compliance, road safety, and regulatory performance across a complex, multi‑site logistics network.
This is a senior leadership role where you will:
- Set and deliver the regional logistics and agricultural services strategy, translating corporate priorities into operational plans and budgets.
- Hold accountability for a significant annual operating budget, balancing cost, risk, service, and performance.
- Lead and inspire large, geographically dispersed teams across logistics, field operations, and agricultural services.
- Drive transformational change, influencing not only your function but the wider Operations community as part of long‑term improvement and AMP delivery.
- Ensure full compliance with O Licence, environmental, health & safety, and regulatory requirements.
- Optimise production and logistics plans to balance operational risk, customer needs, sustainability, and cost.
- Build and manage senior‑level relationships with internal stakeholders, regulators, and strategic partners.
- Contribute to corporate strategy, regulatory submissions, and price review activity.
- Represent the organisation externally at industry forums, conferences, and stakeholder events.
What You’ll Bring
We are looking for a credible, experienced senior leader with a proven track record of operating at Head of level in a large, complex, and regulated environment.
- Extensive senior leadership experience in logistics and operational service delivery (HGV operations essential).
- Full valid UK driving licence as region travel will be required.
- Experience acting as, or readiness to act as, a named senior manager / Transport Manager on an O Licence.
- A strong background in end‑to‑end operational strategy, business planning, and budget ownership.
- Proven capability in leading large, multi‑site, multi‑disciplinary teams.
- Strong commercial acumen, including oversight of major contracts and third‑party service providers.
- Experience delivering large‑scale operational transformation and change programmes.
- Proven ability to operate confidently with Directors, Executives, regulators, and external stakeholders.
- Experience within highly regulated or asset‑intensive environments (utilities, waste, logistics, agriculture, construction or similar).
Why This Role?
This is a true Head of function opportunity — offering scale, complexity, visibility, and influence.
You will play a pivotal role in:
- Shaping long‑term logistics and agricultural services strategy.
- Delivering safe, compliant, and sustainable bio‑recycling outcomes.
- Leading cultural and operational transformation across a critical operational area.
- Making a visible contribution to corporate performance and environmental outcomes.
If you are a senior operational leader who thrives on complexity, accountability, and leading from the front, this role offers both challenge and impact in equal measure.
Benefits
- A generous annual leave package of 26 days, rising to 30 with service, plus 8 bank holidays.
- A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover.
- Up to 20% performance‑related bonus, plus recognition awards.
- £5000 annual car allowance.
- Company‑funded healthcare plan.
- MyGym discounts – up to 25% off 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.
About Us
United Utilities is a FTSE 100 company committed to delivering great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We value diversity, inclusion, and innovation, fostering a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.
We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and create sustainable long‑term value for our colleagues, customers and communities.
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