Operations and Commercial Manager

The Company
Thorburn Landscapes is an established and growing landscaping business based in Southwest London. Known for delivering high\-end projects and meticulous garden maintenance, we have built a reputation for quality and reliability.

We are currently in an exciting scale\-up phase, transitioning from a founder\-led business into a professionally managed operation. This is not just a maintenance role; it is a business transformation opportunity. We are looking for a leader who wants to build the infrastructure that will allow us to grow without losing our agility.

The Role
We are seeking an Operations \& Commercial Manager to act as the operational engine of the business. You will bridge the gap between the site teams and the Managing Director, ensuring that projects are delivered efficiently, profitably, and to a high standard.

This is a "hands\-on" leadership role. You will take ownership of the workflow—from quoting through to project sign\-off—with a specific focus on implementing structure without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.

Key Responsibilities \& Outcomes

• Job Readiness: Ensure labour, materials, and information are organised *before* teams arrive on\-site to eliminate downtime.


• Management Accountability: Manage and hold accountable operational managers, coordinators, and team leaders/foremen, building a culture of ownership and reducing the day\-to\-day operational burden on the Managing Director.


• Commercial Control: Oversee the estimating and quoting function, with clear control of labour costing, material margins, variations, and project profitability while ensuring proposals go out promptly.


• Client Resolution: Act as the escalation point for complaints and variations, ensuring that clients don't feel the need to bypass the team and contact the MD directly.


• Reporting: Establish weekly KPIs covering pipeline, labour utilisation, and project margins to provide the leadership team with clear visibility.

• Experience: Proven experience in an operational management role within construction, landscaping, or project\-based industries.


• Commercial Skills: Strong commercial acumen, including experience of estimating, labour costing, margin control, variations, and project profitability, together with the ability to implement simple, effective systems.


• Mindset: A "fixer" who identifies inefficiencies and removes them without needing to be told.


• Leadership: The ability to hold managers and team leaders accountable while remaining supportive, approachable, and decisive.


• Driving Licence: A full UK driving licence is required for regular site visits across London and the surrounding area.

• The chance to fundamentally shape the future and culture of a growing business.


• Work directly with the Managing Director, with genuine autonomy to shape how the business operates.


• Use of a company vehicle.


• Pension scheme.


• Discretionary staff bonus.


• Additional holiday with length of service.


• Sick pay.

Application question(s):

• Please explain how you would achieve the 5 key outcomes listed.


• Briefly describe one operational improvement you introduced in a previous business and what impact it had.

• in an operations management or similar management role: 3 years (required)

• Driving Licence (required)

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