Director of Operations

Job Summary

A growing utility services organization in Mesa, AZ is seeking an experienced Director of Operations to lead its Hydrovac division. This direct hire leadership role is ideal for a results-driven operations professional with a strong background in Hydrovac, utility services, heavy equipment, or industrial field operations.

The Director of Operations will oversee daily operations, fleet performance, safety compliance, field leadership, dispatch, and P&L results. This is a high-impact opportunity for a leader who enjoys building scalable processes, developing teams, improving efficiency, and partnering closely with sales and senior leadership to support continued growth.

This role offers a strong platform for long-term career impact, with visibility across the business, a collaborative leadership environment, and the opportunity to shape operational performance for a growing division.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead all Hydrovac division operations, including field execution, dispatch, fleet utilization, safety, and service delivery.
- Manage P&L performance, operational budgets, productivity goals, and profitability improvement initiatives.
- Oversee Class 7/8 heavy equipment fleet performance, maintenance planning, telematics, and regulatory compliance.
- Develop, coach, and lead field operations managers, dispatch teams, supervisors, and crews.
- Use KPIs, fleet data, and operational reporting to improve efficiency, utilization, safety, and customer service.
- Partner with sales leadership to support business growth, maximize fleet utilization, and ensure operational readiness.

Compensation and Benefits

- Salary range: $140,000 to $160,000 per year.
- Direct hire opportunity.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans

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For temporary assignments lasting 13 weeks or longer, AppleOne is pleased to offer major medical, dental, vision, 401k and any statutory sick pay where required.

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Additional Skills

Required Qualifications and Skills

- Lead Hydrovac operations with full accountability for safety, performance, service quality, and profitability.
- Manage heavy equipment fleet operations, maintenance performance, DOT/FMCSA compliance, and fleet utilization.
- Build and lead field operations teams while improving dispatch, productivity, and operational processes.
- Support growth initiatives by partnering with sales and leadership to align resources with customer demand.

- 8+ years of leadership experience in Hydrovac, utility services, heavy equipment, industrial operations, or a closely related field.
- Experience managing Class 7/8 fleets and multi-site field operations.
- Strong working knowledge of DOT, FMCSA, OSHA, and applicable safety regulations.
- Proven ability to drive operational growth, profitability, process improvement, and team development.
- Strong P&L management, KPI tracking, fleet optimization, and data-driven decision-making skills.
- Excellent leadership, communication, problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree preferred, or equivalent industry experience.
- Prior experience scaling a Hydrovac, utility services, or heavy equipment operation.
- Experience using telematics, fleet management systems, KPI dashboards, or operational reporting tools.
- Background supporting business development, customer retention, or fleet utilization strategy in a field services environment.