Operations Manager

Cleanaway; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual share plan

Novated leasing

Paid parental leave

Private health insurance discounts

EAP access

Job summary

Cleanaway is seeking a dynamic operations leader to oversee a large team of staff, driving safety, performance, and client satisfaction. You will partner with councils, building managers, and key clients to maintain service excellence and resolve escalations, while delivering data-driven insights to improve outcomes.

This hands-on role requires exceptional communication, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities, with a focus on continuous improvement and strong people leadership across a

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in operations, logistics, or waste management.
• Experience working with council contracts and stakeholders.
• Strong people management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee staff allocation, absenteeism, and leave management to ensure operational efficiency.
• Lead daily toolbox meetings and performance discussions to drive accountability and engagement.
• Manage and review daily operational reports for internal and external stakeholders, including the City of Sydney.
• Liaise with councils, building managers, and clients to resolve escalations and improve service delivery.
• Conduct infield supervision and review complex or constrained collection sites (e.g., narrow streets).
• Ensure safety compliance—PPE usage, incident prevention, and adherence to standards.
• Support the Branch Manager with data-driven insights using MS Office to translate performance data into actions.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

People management

Communication

Data reporting

MS Office

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

We transform waste into resources and renewable energy. When you start to think of waste as a resource, it opens a world of possibilities.

Join us and contribute to making a sustainable future possible, together!

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Branch Manager, you’ll lead a large team of over 80 operational staff, driving performance, ensuring safety compliance, managing daily reporting, and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, including council representatives and building managers.

This is a hands-on leadership role that requires strong communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills — ideal for someone passionate about leading people, improving processes, and delivering exceptional operational outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee staff allocation, absenteeism, and leave management to ensure operational efficiency.
• Lead daily toolbox meetings and performance discussions to drive accountability and engagement.
• Manage and review daily operational reports for both internal and external stakeholders, including the City of Sydney.
• Liaise with councils, building managers, and key clients to resolve escalations and improve service delivery.
• Conduct infield supervision and review complex or constrained collection sites (e.g. narrow streets).
• Ensure safety compliance — correct PPE usage, incident prevention, and adherence to company standards.
• Support the Branch Manager with data-driven insights, using MS Office Suite to interpret and translate performance data into actionable results.

About You

• Proven leadership experience in operations, logistics, or waste management.
• Demonstrated experience working with or managing council contracts and stakeholders.
• Strong people management skills with the ability to motivate and lead large teams.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills across all levels.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and confident with data reporting.
• Committed to safety, service quality, and continuous improvement.

We are Australia’s largest company in this sector, providing essential services to millions of customers and communities nationally.

As a national, high growth, ASX-listed organisation with more than 10,000 employees, our goal is to be recognised by our customers as the most innovative and sustainable waste management company. We are committed to achieving this while delivering industry-leading health, safety and environmental (HSE) performance.

• Attractive salary package
• Paid parental leave
• Great company benefits: Annual employee share plan offer, novated leasing, optional flu vaccinations, EAP access, discounts on private health insurance, company discounts + much more!

Our Process

We are dedicated to improving employment outcomes and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We also welcome candidates of all ages, abilities, gender identities, experiences (including veterans), and cultural backgrounds.

Our recruitment process involves a number of checks including, but not limited to, criminal history, medicals, drug & alcohol testing, as well as verification of qualifications, licences and right-to-work status.

If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact us by emailing *********@cleanaway.com.au.

Join us on our exciting journey towards a sustainable future