Head of Operations and Waste Contracts

Hours: 36 hours per week - 7:30 - 16:00

Temporary assignment with the possibility of a permanent opportunity

Are you an experienced operational leader with a background in waste management, recycling, environmental services, or contract management? We are seeking a strategic and commercially minded professional to lead one of London's largest and most complex waste and recycling operations. This is a unique opportunity to influence service delivery, sustainability initiatives, and operational excellence across a high-profile public service environment.

The Role

As Head of Waste Operations & Contracts, you will provide leadership across a major waste transfer and recycling facility, taking overall responsibility for operational performance, health and safety, environmental compliance, budget management, and contractor performance.

You will lead a team of operational managers, supervisors, and contractors, ensuring services are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with regulatory requirements. You will also play a key role in driving service transformation, innovation, and sustainability initiatives that support circular economy objectives.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing strategic and operational leadership across a large-scale waste and recycling facility.
• Leading health, safety, and environmental compliance activities.
• Managing multi-million-pound budgets and delivering value for money.
• Overseeing contractor and supplier performance across waste service contracts.
• Driving continuous improvement, efficiency, and service transformation projects.
• Building strong relationships with regulators, local authorities, contractors, and community stakeholders.
• Leading on risk management, emergency planning, and incident response.
• Using performance data and KPIs to improve operational outcomes and customer experience.

About You

We are looking for a confident and visible leader who can inspire teams, drive performance, and maintain the highest standards of safety and compliance.

You will demonstrate:

• Significant experience managing large-scale waste, recycling, environmental, logistics, or operational services.
• Experience managing multi-million-pound budgets and complex contracts.
• A proven track record of leading large operational teams and creating a high-performance culture.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Experience delivering service improvement and change management programmes.
• Excellent knowledge of environmental, waste, and health & safety legislation.
• Strong analytical skills and experience using data and performance reporting to support decision-making. [

Essential

• IOSH or equivalent

Desirable

• WAMITAB Certificate of Technical Competence (or willingness to achieve within the first year).
• Project Management qualification.