General Manager

Panda Recycling UK; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Panda Recycling UK seeks a seasoned General Manager to lead a complex multi-depot operation across trade waste, skip, RoRo and artic services in the UK. You will be accountable for operational performance, commercial delivery, safety, compliance and P&Ls at depot level and across the network.

The role demands senior leadership, transformation of the operating model, and a strong focus on customer service, cost control and budgeting while developing managers and teams and upholding regulatory

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in transport, logistics or waste management.
• Experience managing multiple depots and P&Ls.
• Strong commercial judgement and link between sales and ops.
• Experience leading operational transformation and new ways of working.
• Ability to develop managers and high-performing teams.
• Knowledge of health and safety in transport/waste contexts.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-site operations across trade waste, skip, RoRo and artic services.
• Own depot-level and group P&Ls, drive revenue growth and margin improvement.
• Develop strategies to improve productivity, fleet utilisation and service delivery.
• Ensure operational capability supports sustainable commercial growth with Sales.
• Transform depots into a standardised, modern, commercially-focused model.
• Maintain high safety, transport and waste compliance and strong customer service.

Skills

Senior leadership

P&L management

Operations optimization

Safety & compliance

Stakeholder management

Transport/logistics experience

Waste management

People development

Education

MBA or equivalent

Full UK driving licence

IOSH/First Aid/ADR beneficial

Job description

We are looking for an experienced General Manager to lead a complex, multi-depot operation covering trade waste, skip, RoRo and artic services.

This is a senior leadership role with full accountability for operational performance, commercial delivery, safety, compliance and the individual and combined P&Ls of the depots.

`The General Manager will lead the continued transformation of the operation, creating a more consistent, efficient and commercially focused model while maintaining high standards of customer service.

What You’ll Be Doing

As General Manager, you will:

• Lead multi-site operations across trade waste, skip, RoRo and artic services
• Take full ownership of depot-level and combined P&Ls, including revenue growth, cost control and margin improvement
• Develop operational strategies that improve productivity, fleet utilisation and service delivery
• Work closely with Sales to ensure operational capability supports sustainable commercial growth
• Lead the standardisation and transformation of depots into a consistent, modern and commercially focused operating model
• Maintain high standards of health and safety, transport compliance, waste compliance, customer service and site presentation
• Lead, develop and hold depot managers and operational teams accountable for performance
• Build succession plans and develop a strong pipeline of operational leadership talent
• Ensure compliance with Operator Licence requirements, transport legislation, Working Time Directive requirements and other regulatory standards
• Act as, or oversee, the named Transport Manager across relevant Operator Licences
• Manage fleet strategy, asset utilisation and demand planning against agreed budgets
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve efficiency and strengthen operational performance
• Deliver against KPIs covering safety, service, cost, compliance and customer satisfaction
• Take ownership of significant operational issues, escalations and service recovery
• Work closely with Sales, Finance, Compliance and Maintenance teams
• Lead the planning and mobilisation of new contracts, ensuring operational readiness and commercial viability
• Support the continued rollout of the Panda operating model across the region

What We’re Looking For

The successful General Manager will have:

• Significant senior operational leadership experience within transport, logistics or waste management
• Experience managing multiple depots through layered management structures
• A strong track record of managing P&Ls and improving revenue, margin and operational costs
• Experience leading operational transformation and embedding new ways of working
• Strong commercial judgement and an understanding of the relationship between sales and operational delivery
• Proven experience developing managers, improving accountability and building high-performing teams
• The ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced and operationally demanding environment
• Strong communication and stakeholder-management skillsExperience delivering significant operational-efficiency and continuous-improvement initiatives
• A high level of resilience, ownership and personal accountability
• Experience across trade waste, skip, RoRo and artic operations would be highly advantageous

Essential Qualifications and Knowledge

• Willingness to be named on the company’s Operator Licence where required
• Waste-management or transport-industry experience
• Full UK driving licence
• Strong knowledge of transport legislation, the Working Time Directive and Operator Licence compliance
• Strong understanding of health and safety within a transport or waste-management environment

IOSH, First Aid or ADR-awareness qualifications would be beneficial but are not essential.

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.