Contract Manager - Waste & Recycling in South West

Contract Manager - Waste & Recycling

Salary c65k

Reporting to: Operations Director

As part of the Company's Senior Leadership Team contribute to the overall aims of the Company through the efficient management of operational and service delivery matters, including managing client and commercial relationships at a strategic level.

The role holder, reporting directly to the Board of Directors, will be responsible for managing the efficient and effective delivery of the Waste & Recycling Contract operated on behalf of North Somerset Council.

You will lead a senior management team responsible for a diverse range of services, including:

• Municipal and commercial waste and recycling collections.
• Waste transfer operations.
• Household Waste Recycling Centres.
• Associated commercial waste services.

As the primary point of contact for the Council, you will develop and maintain strong strategic relationships, ensuring contractual commitments are met, performance targets achieved and customer satisfaction remains a priority.

You will also play a key role within the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to the wider strategic direction, commercial development and continued success of the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction across all waste and recycling operations, ensuring contractual KPIs, service standards and performance targets are consistently achieved.
• Lead, motivate and develop senior operational teams, promoting a culture of accountability, engagement and high performance.
• Act as the principal client relationship lead, building strong partnerships with North Somerset Council and other key stakeholders.
• Take financial responsibility for the contract, including budget management, P&L performance, cost control and financial reporting.
• Identify and implement opportunities for operational efficiencies, continuous improvement and enhanced commercial performance.
• Drive a positive health and safety culture, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, safe systems of work and environmental standards.
• Oversee contractual compliance, operational documentation, reporting requirements and service delivery obligations.
• Manage supplier and subcontractor relationships, procurement activities and commercial agreements.
• Ensure compliance with DVSA, Traffic Commissioner and Environment Agency requirements, including Operators Licence and environmental permit obligations.
• Oversee recruitment, employee development, performance management and employee relations across your areas of responsibility.
• Identify and develop new commercial opportunities, maximising the value and financial performance of the contract.
• Represent the business at senior client meetings, industry forums and board-level discussions.

About You

You will be an established senior operational or contract management professional with the ability to lead complex services, manage commercial relationships and deliver results in a demanding operational environment.

Ideally, you will bring:

• Proven experience in senior management within waste management, recycling, environmental services or a similar operational sector.
• Strong contract management experience, ideally within municipal waste services.
• Experience managing large operational teams and developing senior managers.
• A strong understanding of financial management, budgets, P&L and commercial performance.
• A track record of delivering against contractual KPIs and driving service improvements.
• Excellent knowledge of waste legislation, environmental compliance, health and safety and duty of care requirements.
• Experience managing client relationships, suppliers and subcontractors.
• The ability to influence at board level and communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.

Qualifications

Ideally, you will hold:

• A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience, supported by ongoing professional development.
• IOSH Managing Safely qualification.
• Transport Manager CPC.

Additional qualifications such as NEBOSH, Lean/Six Sigma, CIWM, WAMITAB or a relevant financial qualification would be advantageous.

What We're Looking For

Above all, we are looking for a confident and commercially astute leader who can balance operational delivery with strategic thinking.

You will be proactive, decisive and solutions-focused, with the ability to influence, negotiate and build trusted relationships. You will have the drive to challenge existing practices, identify opportunities and deliver meaningful improvements across the business.

A full UK driving licence is essential.

Interested?

If you are looking for your next senior leadership opportunity and have the experience to lead a complex waste and recycling contract, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today to find out more about this exciting opportunity by sending your cv to (url removed)