Job Purpose
The Site Manager is responsible for day‑to‑day operational management of the Pandas processing facility, ensuring safe, efficient and compliant delivery of all plant operations – from material processing and transport to maintenance, compliance and people leadership. This role is also accountable for aligning site performance with the company's recycling strategy, sustainability commitments and commercial targets.
Key Responsibilities
* Health, Safety, Environmental & Compliance
o Lead a proactive safety‑first culture across the site, ensuring zero‑harm principles are embedded.
o Ensure full compliance with H&S legislation, EA permits, environmental regulations and internal policies.
o Oversee health & safety of all personnel and third‑party visitors.
o Deliver safety briefings, toolbox talks and participate in the SHEQ working group.
o Ensure all Safe Systems of Work and Risk Assessments are in place, understood and followed.
o Coach and guide the team on accident reporting, investigations and continuous safety improvement.
* Operations & Plant Management
o Oversee all material processing, recovery, transport and final disposal activities.
o Maximise plant availability, throughput and output quality within compliance and cost constraints.
o Lead site planning and review meetings to align daily activity with strategic KPIs.
o Ensure preventative maintenance of all fixed and mobile plant, working closely with engineering.
o Liaise with logistics to ensure timely movement of material in accordance with offtake agreements and permits.
o Drive continuous improvement, innovation and productivity optimisation across the site.
* People Leadership & Development
o Recruit, induct and develop site personnel to build a high‑performing, safety‑conscious team.
o Ensure sufficient staffing levels across all shifts.
o Deliver regular training, coaching, competency assessments and performance reviews.
o Set clear objectives and maintain a culture of accountability, engagement and development.
o Approve payroll submissions and ensure compliance with workforce planning processes.
* Financial & Commercial Responsibility
o Control site operational budgets, costs and resource utilisation.
o Contribute to financial forecasting and reporting.
o Balance site efficiency with quality, compliance and profitability objectives.
o Support the implementation of commercial agreements by ensuring operational capability aligns with contractual outputs.
* Strategic Execution & Stakeholder Collaboration
o Support delivery of site and regional strategic plans, including sustainability and digitalisation goals.
o Work closely with other Site Managers, Engineering, Compliance, SHEQ and Commercial teams.
o Maintain strong relationships with regulators, partners and key external stakeholders.
o Represent the site at regional processing and planning meetings.
Key Accountabilities
* Operational compliance with legislation, permits and company policies
* Leadership of a safe, engaged and capable on‑site team
* Delivery of site KPIs including throughput, quality and cost efficiency
* Maintenance of a compliant and well‑maintained plant
* Contribution to strategic and continuous improvement initiatives
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
* Zero‑harm and compliance with HS&E standards
* Site production and output targets
* Labour cost efficiency and utilisation
* Audit outcomes (internal, external, EA)
* Operational uptime and asset reliability
* Team development, retention and engagement metrics
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications & Experience
* Proven experience in operational leadership in a processing, recycling or manufacturing facility
* Strong track record in managing safety, compliance and plant performance
* Experience leading teams in high‑risk environments
* Strong understanding of waste/recycling operations and environmental regulation
* Financial and budget management experience
* Effective communicator with strong planning and decision‑making ability
Desirable
* Experience in site permit management and working with the Environment Agency
* WAMITAB Certificate of Technical Competence (COTC) – with up‑to‑date continued competency
* Knowledge of ERP or operational data systems (e.g. Power BI, CMMS)
* Exposure to continuous improvement or Lean methodologies
* Degree in Operations, Engineering, Environmental Science or related discipline
Personal Qualities
* Confident, pragmatic leader with strong coaching and mentoring ability
* Resilient under pressure and solutions‑focused
* Collaborative mindset and excellent interpersonal skills
* Highly organised, commercially aware and detail‑oriented
* Passionate about sustainability, safety and operational excellence
Competency Areas
* HS&E Leadership: Visible safety leader, drives culture of zero harm
* Operational Excellence: Results‑driven with strong cost control and process efficiency
* People Development: Empowers teams and builds site capability
* Stakeholder Management: Trusted collaborator across internal and external stakeholders
* Continuous Improvement: Champions innovation, leads change initiatives
About Us
Panda is not just a company, it’s a resource recovery business. Over the past three decades we have grown and diversified significantly, and we believe that great leadership is rooted in strong values. As leaders within this industry, we’re committed to shaping a better future for our friends, families and communities. Our philosophy remains unchanged, balancing customer satisfaction with environmentally sustainable practices. Exceptional customer service and unwavering dedication to sustainability are the cornerstones of our business.
Our journey is dependent upon talented, passionate and dedicated people that constantly strive and challenge each other for better outcomes.
Take the first step today and join us on the journey…
Panda aims to attract and retain a skilled and diverse workforce that best represents the talent available in the communities in which our assets are located and our employees reside. (DE&I Policy Statement)
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