Operations Manager
Panda
Operations Manager
Function: Sales & Collections
Reports to: General Manager
The Role
We are looking for an experienced Operations Manager to take full ownership of transport and collection operations across an assigned area.
Reporting to the General Manager, you will be accountable for safe, compliant and efficient service delivery across all operational channels. You will lead a large operational team while managing financial performance, fleet utilisation, customer service and regulatory compliance.
This is a commercially focused leadership role with responsibility for operational P&L, cost control and productivity. The successful candidate must hold a Transport Manager CPC and be willing to be named on the company’s Operator’s Licence.
What You’ll Be Doing
As Operations Manager, you will:
- Take full ownership of the operational P&L across each revenue stream, including budgeting, cost control and financial reporting.
- Lead daily transport and collection operations, ensuring services are delivered safely, efficiently and consistently.
- Maintain an accurate demand and resource plan covering drivers, vehicles and operational requirements.
- Improve route planning, fleet utilisation and productivity while protecting service quality.
- Act as a named Transport Manager on the company’s Operator’s Licence.
- Ensure compliance with Operator’s Licence requirements, transport legislation, Working Time Directive requirements and internal standards.
- Maintain high standards of health and safety, fleet compliance and waste compliance across your area.
- Lead, manage and develop drivers, supervisors and other operational employees.
- Set clear expectations for performance, behaviour, safety and customer service.
- Manage employee absence, performance, conduct and capability appropriately.
- Introduce structured coaching and performance management to improve accountability.
- Deliver against operational KPIs covering service, cost, productivity, compliance and customer satisfaction.
- Oversee fleet performance, maintenance planning and asset utilisation to minimise downtime.
- Lead operational audits, inspections, incident investigations and corrective actions.
- Take ownership of service recovery and escalated customer issues.
- Work closely with sales, customer service, workshop and compliance teams to support seamless service delivery.
- Identify and implement opportunities to improve efficiency, profitability and operational resilience.
You will bring:
- Proven management experience within transport, logistics or waste management.
- Strong experience leading operational teams in a fast-paced and demanding environment.
- Demonstrable responsibility for budgets, cost control and P&L performance.
- The ability to lead, influence and positively shape team behaviour.
- Experience managing employee performance, absence and conduct.
- Strong knowledge of transport legislation, Operator’s Licence requirements and the Working Time Directive.
- Experience improving routes, resource planning, productivity or fleet utilisation.
- Strong commercial awareness and a clear focus on profitability.
- Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills.
- The resilience and confidence to make decisions under pressure.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to influence at every level.
- Confidence using transport management, route-planning and reporting systems.
- Transport Manager CPC.
- Willingness to be named on the company’s Operator’s Licence.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Waste-management industry experience.
- IOSH or another recognised health and safety qualification.
- First Aid qualification.
- ADR awareness or related transport compliance training.
We are Panda. We value waste.
We’re in the business of waste management but that doesn’t just mean collecting bins. Behind every collection is a passionate team of people finding smarter, safer, and more sustainable ways to recycle and repurpose materials that would otherwise go to waste.
Over the past 30 years, Panda has grown into a leading resource recovery business, bringing together almost 3,000 people across multiple brands, united by a shared vision and strong values. While our operations are diverse, our purpose is clear: to protect our people, support our customers, and create positive impact for the communities and environments we serve.
At Panda, people are at the heart of everything we do. We work as one team, combining different skills, experiences, and perspectives to achieve shared goals. We care for each other’s wellbeing, encourage development, and support growth because we know we’re stronger together.
We expect excellence in how we operate. High standards, bold thinking, and continuous improvement drive our passion for innovation. We challenge the ordinary, put safety first, and embrace new ideas while delivering practical, cost-effective solutions that move our business forward.
We own what we do. From day-to-day tasks to major projects, we take pride in our work and responsibility for the outcome. We don’t walk past problems we address them together. Our expertise, reliability, and care reflect who we are and the difference we make.
And above all, we act with trust and integrity. Trust is built through open communication, honesty, and accountability. It allows us to move quickly, make confident decisions, and deliver results — knowing our people are empowered to do the right thing.
Our journey depends on talented, committed people who want to make an impact.
Take the first step and join us on the journey.
Panda is committed to attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we operate and the people we serve.
(DE&I Policy Statement)
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