Operations Manager – Environmental Services / Tankering
Location: Harlow
Sector: Environmental Services, Waste Management, Tankering
Salary: £50,000 - £55,000
I’m partnering with our client an environmental services organisation to recruit an experienced Operations Manager. This is a pivotal leadership role overseeing complex transport and tankering operations, ensuring the smooth, compliant, and efficient running of a busy fleet and operational team.
If you’re an operational leader who excels in logistics, transport compliance, and people management — this role offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact within a growing, forward?thinking business.
The Role
You’ll take full responsibility for day to day operations, leading the Service Desk, Transport Manager, Planner, and wider logistics teams. Your mission: maximise fleet efficiency, deliver outstanding customer service, and uphold exceptional safety, environmental, and compliance standards. A major part of the role involves driving performance, improving operational processes, optimising route planning, and ensuring all teams work cohesively to meet service expectations and KPIs.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and optimise tankering and transport operations to achieve and exceed operational efficiency targets.
Ensure full compliance with all transport legislation including MOTs, Driver Hours, O Licence requirements, and tank/equipment inspections.
Oversee all fleet servicing, maintenance, repairs, and legal checks.
Manage disposal routes, subcontractors, and third party service providers.
Lead operational teams, including managing shift patterns, timesheets, performance reviews, and training needs.
Produce monthly reports covering fleet utilisation, driver performance, maintenance exceptions, disposal costs, and staffing updates.
Drive a strong Safety, Health & Environment culture with accountability for specific H&S responsibilities.
Motivate and develop operational teams to achieve high performance and service excellence.Essential Skills
Management experience within tankering, drainage, transport, or environmental services.
Strong knowledge of UK Transport Legislation and O Licence compliance.
Experience working with disposal sites and managing subcontractor relationships.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret KPIs and cost variances.
Confident communicator with the ability to lead, coach, and influence large operational teams.Qualifications:
Transport Manager CPC (National or International) — required
IOSH or NEBOSH — highly beneficial
Full UK Driving LicenceIf you're an experienced operations professional ready to step into a high impact leadership role within a respected environmental services organisation, I’d love to hear from you.
Apply today by clicking through the link and sending your CV