About this role
Hours: 36 hours per week - 7:30 - 16:00
Temporary assignment with the possibility of a permanent opportunity
Are you an experienced operational leader with a background in waste management, recycling, environmental services, or contract management? We are seeking a strategic and commercially minded professional to lead one of London's largest and most complex waste and recycling operations. This is a unique opportunity to influence service delivery, sustainability initiatives, and operational excellence across a high-profile public service environment.
The Role
As Head of Waste Operations & Contracts, you will provide leadership across a major waste transfer and recycling facility, taking overall responsibility for operational performance, health and safety, environmental compliance, budget management, and contractor performance.
You will lead a team of operational managers, supervisors, and contractors, ensuring services are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with regulatory requirements. You will also play a key role in driving service transformation, innovation, and sustainability initiatives that support circular economy objectives.
Key responsibilities include:
Providing strategic and operational leadership across a large-scale waste and recycling facility.Leading health, safety, and environmental compliance activities.Managing multi-million-pound budgets and delivering value for money.Overseeing contractor and supplier performance across waste service contracts.Driving continuous improvement, efficiency, and service transformation projects.Building strong relationships with regulators, local authorities, contractors, and community stakeholders.Leading on risk management, emergency planning, and incident response.Using performance data and KPIs to improve operational outcomes and customer experience. About You
We are looking for a confident and visible leader who can inspire teams, drive performance, and maintain the highest standards of safety and compliance.
You will demonstrate:
Significant experience managing large-scale waste, recycling, environmental, logistics, or operational services.Experience managing multi-million-pound budgets and complex contracts.A proven track record of leading large operational teams and creating a high-performance culture.Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.Experience delivering service improvement and change management programmes.Excellent knowledge of environmental, waste, and health & safety legislation.Strong analytical skills and experience using data and performance reporting to support decision-making. [ Essential
IOSH or equivalent Desirable
WAMITAB Certificate of Technical Competence (or willingness to achieve within the first year).Project Management qualification.