The Trade and Distribution service sits within Cardiff Council’s Frontline Services Directorate and plays a vital role in supporting the city’s waste and recycling operations. The service is responsible for delivering reliable trade waste collections, recycling services, and the delivery and management of containers for both commercial and domestic customers across Cardiff.
Operating in a fast‑paced, operational environment, the service works closely with frontline crews, supervisors, and wider council teams to ensure services are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with legislative, environmental, and customer service standards. A strong focus is placed on health and safety, service reliability, continuous improvement, and responding effectively to the needs of residents and businesses across the city.
About the job
As a Trade and Distribution Supervisor, you will play a key frontline leadership role within Cardiff Council’s Waste Management service. You will be responsible for supervising daily trade waste and distribution operations, ensuring that services are delivered safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.
Acting as the first point of contact for operational teams, you will allocate work, monitor performance, and provide on‑the‑day guidance and support to frontline staff. You will be expected to resolve routine operational issues, respond to customer‑related queries, and elaborate more complex matters when required.
Working closely with the Operations Development Manager (Trade and Distribution), you will help ensure operational targets and KPIs are met while maintaining compliance with health and safety legislation, waste regulations, and council policies. The role requires strong communication, the confidence to manage people and performance, and the ability to remain calm and organised in a fast‑paced, operational environment.
This role involves early starts and flexible working patterns, including weekend working where applicable, and offers an opportunity to make a direct and visible contribution to an essential city‑wide service.
What We Are Looking For From You
We’re looking for someone who can confidently lead frontline operational teams and keep services running safely and efficiently. You’ll bring experience of supervising staff in a busy operational environment and be comfortable making day‑to‑day decisions, allocating work, and dealing with issues as they arise.
You’ll have a strong understanding of health and safety requirements and be committed to maintaining compliance and high standards at all times. Good communication skills are essential, along with the confidence to give clear instructions and manage difficult conversations with staff or customers when required.
You’ll be organised, resilient, and able to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines. A flexible and proactive approach is key, as is a willingness to take responsibility, support service improvements, and adapt to changing operational demands, including early starts and weekend working where applicable.
Additional information
This post is based at Lamby Way Depot, Rumney, Cardiff, and involves working early shifts and, depending on the post, weekend working. Unsociable hours and weekend enhancements will apply where appropriate.
You will be required to work flexibly to meet service demands, including occasional additional hours, changes to start times, or working alternative days where required. Travel between sites may be necessary, and a full valid driving licence and/or access to your own transport is essential.
Appointment to this post is subject to the Council’s pre‑employment checks and completion of all required training, including health and safety and safeguarding training relevant to the role.
Welsh language skills are welcomed. This post is suitable for both Welsh and non‑Welsh speakers, and the Council supports staff to develop their Welsh language skills.
Job Category Environmental / Waste / Recycling
Working Pattern/Contract Type Full Time Permanent (Term Time)
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