Role: Commercial Operations Manager
Location: Preston PR2 (with some travel to operational sites)
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8am to 5pm, 1 hour lunch
Salary: Up to £45,000, dependent on experience, plus car allowance
The opportunity:
This is a senior role within our commercial team, responsible for optimising and overseeing the day-to-day commercial and operational functions of the business. The Commercial Operations Manager will ensure the efficient execution of sales and customer operations by managing processes, resources and technology.
You will play a pivotal role in driving performance improvements, managing supplier and customer relations, and aligning commercial activities with wider company objectives. This role requires a strong balance of strategic planning, operational oversight, and people management – ensuring we deliver excellence across service, compliance, and profitability.
This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with proven leadership experience in commercial operations who thrives in a dynamic environment, is confident in data-driven decision-making, and enjoys collaborating across teams to deliver measurable outcomes.
The business:
Recycling Lives Services provides UK-wide WEEE, Batteries and Packaging compliance as well as total waste management services. We are proud to work closely with Recycling Lives Charity to deliver positive outcomes for people and planet. Everything we do is built on delivering services that change lives.
We are also proud to be a Real Living Wage employer, committed to investing in our people, supporting career development, and ensuring our employees and their families have access to excellent workplace benefits.
Key responsibilities:
* Develop and implement commercial strategies to drive growth, profitability and competitiveness.
* Monitor and analyse commercial performance across operational sites, identifying trends and areas for improvement.
* Lead on forecasts, budgets and performance targets in collaboration with leadership teams.
* Streamline operational processes to reduce costs, improve service quality, and increase efficiency.
* Work closely with sales, finance, operations and customer service teams to ensure alignment of commercial goals.
* Manage and oversee supplier and customer contracts, ensuring compliance and effective negotiation.
* Monitor and manage risk, ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory and company policies.
* Maintain and build strong relationships with key customers and suppliers, ensuring high levels of satisfaction.
* Collaborate with Recycling Lives Charity to enhance both commercial and social value outputs from HMP Academies.
Measures of success:
* Achievement of revenue targets and improved profit margins across operational sites.
* Reduction in inefficiencies, errors, or bottlenecks across commercial processes.
* Strong customer and supplier satisfaction levels.
* Delivery of accurate forecasts, budgets and compliance standards.
* Demonstrated improvement in operational costs and resource utilisation.
Who you are:
You are an experienced commercial operations professional with a proven ability to lead teams, manage complex processes and deliver measurable results. You will be confident engaging with stakeholders at all levels, from operational staff to senior leadership and external partners.
You'll have:
* Strong commercial acumen with experience in operational or commercial management roles.
* Excellent leadership, communication and negotiation skills.
* A track record of improving efficiency and profitability through process optimisation.
* Experience in contract negotiation and supplier/customer relationship management.
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience using data to drive decision-making.
* The ability to collaborate effectively across multiple functions and teams.
The benefits:
* Private Health cover via Vitality Health
* Pension contribution – 5% employee, 3% employer
* 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
* Access to free in-house, qualified counselling support
* Access to free impartial financial advisors
* Modern office facilities
* Free onsite parking
* Access to ethical loan and savings products*
* Enhanced maternity & paternity pay*
* Cycle to work scheme*
* Employees become eligible after 12 months' service.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.