The role: An exciting opportunity has arisen at OPA, as we seek to appoint a new Operations Manager, to be based at our OFD (Oil Fuel Depot) at Thanckes, Torpoint, Cornwall.
This is a hands-on supervisory role ensuring the safe delivery, efficient receipt, storage, and issue of POL (Petroleum Oil and Lubricant) bulk products for HM Navy, RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) and other OPA customers, ensuring at all times activities are compliant with COMAH Regulations, with an exceptionally strong focus on ensuring no harm to people or the environment.
Whilst working as part of the Operations team, this role is directly responsible to the site Depot Manager to support and carry out all aspects of operational tasks. As well as providing general supervision and direction for berthing, and general shipping operations, with particular emphasis to jetty/ shipping operations, and close liaison with third parties for the deployment of fenders, line handling and ancillary jetty services.
This pivotal operational role also deputises along with the Depot Engineer for the Depot Manager, and the successful post holder must be prepared to take on any necessary responsibilities and make appropriate decisions.
Your interpersonal skills, and ability to build and maintain relationships with all our stakeholders, both internal and external, will need to be second to none.
Some occasional travel with overnight stays to other sites may be required, there a full (preferably clean) driving licence is essential.
Responsibilities:
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Operate and maintain an agreed Estate Maintenance Plan, ensure with the Depot Engineer that all PPM and defects are completed in the time scale allowed.
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Through the Depot Team, responsible for maintaining and reporting of fuel stocks, ensuring that the figures are within the 0.2% tolerance for MOD product, operation of the ATG and BFIS systems. This includes manual tank dipping, measurement of water content, recording fuel levels before, during and after issues, receipts and returns. The Operations Manager will routinely audit and check stock levels.
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Manage and supervise the sampling of storage tanks and vessels when required, sending samples for analysis as necessary. Product samples to be retained and managed, as needed.
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Operate and supervise the operation of vehicles within the Depot. Ensuring that only qualified and certified staff operate such vehicles and that vehicles are regularly maintained and that such maintenance is recorded.
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Fully familiar with ship to shore checklist
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Supervise contractors on site, where appropriate. Conduct and record Site Inductions for Contractors and Visitors.
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Ensure that Contractors are also working to any Control of Work requirements.
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When Deputising for the Depot Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management, maintenance and operations of the OFD and is to implement and ensure compliance with the systems and procedures that control marine safety as required by the PMSC and DSA02-DMR - Defence Maritime Regulations for Health, Safety and Environmental Protection. The Depot Manager is nominally the Harbour Master for the OFD.
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Understand and comply with the requirement Port Facility Security plan procedures and responsibilities.
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Carry out and comply with Operating Procedures, Safety Critical Tasks and Checklists, SSoW to include, COSHH & (Legionella, Noise) Risk Assessments.
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Ensure that the Depot maintains good standards of housekeeping, tidiness, and safety standards.
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Supervise, and where necessary be part of, confined space operations, ensuring that personnel involved in such activities are trained and assessed as competent to carry out such tasks and that they have been deemed medically fit for such duties.
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Be part of a Rostered “On-Call” Team.
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Oil Spill techniques.
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Waste management / paperwork (returns) and audits
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Willing to undertake Short Notice overtime.
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Maintain cleanliness / operational efficiency / safe working practices, and manage all fuel movements.
Full details of the responsibilities can be found in the job description for this role, which is available to download at the bottom of this page.
The candidate: A relevant degree will be desirable, with at least 3 years senior management experience, ideally with a proven track record in the petroleum storage industry in an Engineering or Operations management role.
Experience of, or an understanding of the requirements of top tier COMAH installation and the safety culture which must prevail in such establishments is essential.
Required Knowledge/Skills:
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Excellent operations leadership and management skills.
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Strong / Excellent communication skills.
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Knowledge of hazardous area process plant environment, desirable.
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Ideally hold a relevant health and safety management qualification, or able to demonstrate an excellent safety management record.
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Knowledge of legislation relating Process Safety, COMAH, MOC and CDM and their applications.
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Good financial understanding.
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Competent with all Microsoft Office applications is essential.
Stage 1 Interviews: 7 July 2026 (By Teams)
Stage 2 Interviews: 16 July 2026 (Face to face)
