General Manager

U816 Veolia ES (UK) Limited; North East; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Discounts for retailers

Health & wellbeing resources

Volunteer leave — 1 day per year

Job summary

Veolia ES (UK) Limited is seeking a General Manager to oversee a large, multi-site Total Waste Management portfolio on a national scale. The role focuses on operational performance, profitability, and growth, with a strong emphasis on safety, compliance and environmental standards.

You will lead and develop managers and teams, manage budgets and client relationships, and drive continuous improvement and innovative solutions across the contract portfolio.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in industrial waste management or a comparable complex, multi-site operation.
• Strong P&L, financial-management, budgeting and forecasting expertise.
• Excellent commercial acumen, including contract management, negotiation, risk management and business development.
• Strong knowledge of waste operations, environmental legislation, compliance and Health & Safety requirements.
• Proven ability to build relationships and influence senior clients, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrable experience leading change, continuous improvement and profitable growth.
• A relevant environmental or science qualification and professional accreditation, such as NEBOSH, IWM or IEMA, is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead a large, multi-site Total Waste Management contract portfolio, taking accountability for operational performance, profitability and growth.
• Embed a strong Health & Safety, compliance and environmental culture across all sites and teams.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, P&L performance and commercial risk, taking early action to address underperformance.
• Lead, coach and develop managers and operational teams to build a high-performing, accountable culture.
• Build strong client relationships, lead monthly service reviews and resolve operational and contractual issues.
• Identify and deliver contract renewals, additional services and innovative solutions that improve customer value and retention.
• Drive continuous improvement, operational transformation and sustainability initiatives across the portfolio.

Skills

Senior leadership

P&L management

Budgeting

Contract management

Commercial acumen

Health & safety

Stakeholder management

Education

NEBOSH (preferred)

IEMA (preferred)

Job description

Ready to find the right role for you? General Manager x2 Salary: Competitive + Car Allowance + Annual Bonus Grade: GGS14 Location: National

When you see the world as we do, you see the chance to help the world take better care of its resources, and help it become a better place for everyone. It’s why we’re looking for someone who’s just as committed as we are, to push for genuine change and bring our ambition of Ecological Transformation to life. We know that everyone here at Veolia can help us work alongside our communities, look after the environment, and contribute to our inclusive culture.

What we can offer you:

• Access to our company pension scheme
• Discounts on everything from groceries to well known retailers
• Access to a range of resources to support your physical, mental and financial health; so you can lean on us whenever you need to 24 hour access to a virtual GP, 365 days a year, for you and family members in your household
• One paid days leave every year to volunteer and support your community
• Ongoing training and development opportunities, allowing you to reach your full potential
• Stream - Employee financial wellbeing support: early access to your earned pay, savings, budgeting, financial coaching & reward

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead a large, multi-site Total Waste Management contract portfolio, taking accountability for operational performance, profitability and growth.
• Embed a strong Health & Safety, compliance and environmental culture across all sites and teams.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, P&L performance and commercial risk, taking early action to address underperformance.
• Lead, coach and develop managers and operational teams to build a high-performing, accountable culture.
• Build strong client relationships, lead monthly service reviews and resolve operational and contractual issues.
• Identify and deliver contract renewals, additional services and innovative solutions that improve customer value and retention.
• Drive continuous improvement, operational transformation and sustainability initiatives across the portfolio.

What we’re looking for:

• Senior leadership experience in industrial waste management or a comparable complex, multi-site operation.
• Strong P&L, financial-management, budgeting and forecasting expertise.
• Excellent commercial acumen, including contract management, negotiation, risk management and business development.
• Strong knowledge of waste operations, environmental legislation, compliance and Health & Safety requirements.
• Proven ability to build relationships and influence senior clients, suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrable experience leading change, continuous improvement and profitable growth.
• A relevant environmental or science qualification and professional accreditation, such as NEBOSH, IWM or IEMA, is preferred.

We're proud to have been named as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work for three consecutive years in 2023, 2024 and 2025. This consistent recognition reflects our commitment to our people, demonstrating that Veolia is not just transforming the environment, we're also transforming what it means to have a rewarding, purposeful career.

We're dedicated to supporting you throughout your application journey, offering adjustments where reasonable and appropriate. As a proud Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to applicants with a disability or long-term condition who opt-in to the Disability Confident scheme, and meet the minimum criteria for our roles. We're also committed to ensuring that all applicants and colleagues receive fair treatment without discrimination on any grounds, aiming to create a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

Ready to see the world as we do? Who is Veolia? Where other people see waste, our community here at Veolia see opportunity. We’re determined to push for ecological transformation through waste, water and energy, and are committed to getting the tough jobs done. And most importantly, we see the potential of every member of our team, and are giving them the chance to realise it with us. Whether it’s their potential, their commitment or their impact, we see it all. And with our values being community spirit, responsibility, innovation, customer focus and respect they keep us focused on those who matter – all 14,000+ of our employees, our customers and our communities too.