Recycling centre operations manager

Recycling Centre Operations Manager

Permanent

Full Time, 37 hours per week

£47,753 to £56,179 per annum

Location: Chelmsford

Working Style: Anywhere worker

Closing Date: 4th February 2026 (23:59)

Essex is committed to ensuring it is a place where business can flourish, communities are supported to be more resilient, collective environmental impact is minimised and strong partnerships between the public, private and voluntary sector are secured to drive joint outcomes.

Reporting to the Head of Service, the Operations Manager is responsible for the operational management of 21 Recycling Centres for Household Waste (RCHW) operating 7-days per week throughout the county.

Embedding the provision of a 'safe service' across all the council's waste operations in compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act etc 1974 and subsequent legislation in accordance with all statutory requirements and industry practice is a key requirement of this role.

Summary of accountabilities:

Leadership and people management:

* Line Manager of the 4 Area Managers, but accountable for clear and robust leadership of all RCHW staff to ensure they are clear of their direction, motivated and that productivity is maximised.
* Create and reinforce a strong, responsive and flexible culture, role modelling behaviours leading to and delivering customer focussed and responsive services. Drive change using business knowledge and expertise to lead teams to deliver services to the appropriate standard and to continuously seek innovative and efficient ways of working to meet customer expectations.

Operational management:

* Responsible for managing a 'safe service' across all the council's RCHWs in compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 and subsequent legislation in accordance with all statutory requirements, industry practice and ECC H&S policies.
* Responsible for ensuring waste activities undertaken by, or commissioned by the council, are conducted in an appropriate and environmentally responsible manner and compliant with all relevant waste legislation.
* Responsible for ensuring service resilience during peak periods, adverse weather, weekends and Bank Holidays to maintain continuity in service delivery.

Financial management:

* Responsible for the financial management of the RCHW service ensuring financial resilience and full accountability for all related spend.
* Strong financial control is necessary for this role due to the large budget and overall spend on residual waste.

Change management:

* Lead and deliver complex operational change and improvement programmes alongside business-as-usual service delivery.
* Accountable for all the maintenance, repair and infrastructure planning on all 21 RCHWs ensuring that all has been planned within the financial budget restraints of the year and accountable for developing a maintenance schedule for the future work on the sites.

The experience you will bring

* Educated to RQF level 6 (Bachelors) or equivalent by experience, with excellent oral and written communication skills.
* Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional areas, ideally with a Certificate of Technical Competence - CIWM (WAMITAB) Level 4 High Risk Operator Competence for Managing Transfer of Hazardous Waste in accordance with The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.
* Significant experience of managing health and safety in an operational waste management environment to IOSH and/or NEBOSH standard.
* Evidence of continuing professional development, and knowledge in relevant professional area with Membership of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management.
* Extensive knowledge and experience of working in waste management (ideally within both the public and private sectors) involving waste related operational experience aimed at delivering excellent customer service and value for money.
* Excellent communication skills in all media, coupled with a persuasive, enthusiastic and encouraging manner and an ability to develop and maintain constructive and effective professional relationships.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

To read more about us please visit: Climate, Environment and Customer Services

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we're committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In February 2025, Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government's devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR) on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We're committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We're also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

What you should do next

If you are interested in finding out more about this role, we would love to hear from you. Please apply via the Working for Essex website.

Once you've secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, register here to be part of our new Essex Talent Community.

If you have queries or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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