Household Waste Recycling Centre Team Leader

Staffordshire County Council; Rugeley; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Staffordshire County Council in the Midlands is recruiting a Team Leader for our Waste Management and Recycling service. You will inspire the site team, oversee operations at HWRC sites, and ensure high standards of safety and customer service.

This role requires hands-on leadership, flexibility to work across sites (including weekends/bank holidays), and a strong commitment to regulatory compliance. Join us to drive a greener future for communities across Staffordshire.

Qualifications

• Experience in waste management and recycling operations.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Commitment to health, safety and regulatory compliance.
• Customer-focused approach and effective communication.
• Ability to apply site rules and work flexibly across sites.

Responsibilities

• Operate the HWRC safely and compliantly.
• Lead and manage the site team with inductions, absences and task allocation.
• Oversee site operations and capacity, coordinating with contractors.
• Promote safety, compliance, and site rules among staff and visitors.
• Maintain records and reporting, including site logs and waste notes.
• Maintain site standards and work across sites, including weekends.

Skills

Waste management

Site operations

Team leadership

Health & safety

Customer service

Policy compliance

Flexibility

Job description

Job Introduction

Lead the Way in Sustainability - Join Our Recycling Revolution!
Are you passionate about making a real difference to the environment and your community? As part of Staffordshire's Sustainability and Waste Management Service, you'll play a vital role in shaping a greener future. Our service is at the heart of responsible waste disposal and recycling, operating 14 household waste recycling centres and driving innovative solutions for waste treatment and recovery.

We're looking for a dynamic Team Leader to inspire and guide our dedicated team, ensuring smooth operations and exceptional customer service. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and want to contribute to sustainability, efficiency, and community leadership, this is your chance to make an impact where it truly matters.

Main Responsibilities

Main Responsibilities

In this role you'll:

• Operate the HWRC safely and compliantly - Ensure the site runs efficiently in line with environmental permits, health & safety standards, and council procedures.

• Lead and manage the site team - Provide hands-on leadership, supervise staff, complete inductions, manage absences, and allocate daily tasks while maintaining high service standards.

• Oversee site operations and capacity - Monitor waste volumes, container levels, and stock, coordinating with contractors to maintain sufficient capacity at all times.

• Promote safety, compliance, and site rules - Enforce traffic management, permit policies, and safe behaviours; supervise staff, contractors, and visitors to ensure full compliance.

• Maintain records and reporting - Complete accurate documentation (e.g. Duty of Care, waste transfer notes, site logs) and report incidents, accidents, and near misses.

• Maintain site standards and flexibility - Keep the site clean and well-organised, operate plant safely, carry out checks, and work flexibly across sites, including weekends and bank holidays.

The Ideal Candidate

The Ideal Candidate

For the purpose of shortlisting, the minimum criteria for the role is:

• Extensive experience within the waste management and recycling sector, with a strong understanding of operational processes, environmental responsibilities, and regulatory compliance.

• Operate equipment safely, including the use of site machinery and carrying out routine inspections and daily checks to ensure safe and efficient operation.

• Lead, supervise, motivate, and support teams to maintain high standards of performance, safety, and productivity.

• Deliver excellent customer service through effective communication, a professional attitude, and a customer-focused approach.

• Apply site rules, policies, and procedures consistently, ensuring compliance with health and safety standards and regulatory requirements.

• Demonstrate flexibility, resilience, and reliability, with a commitment to safe working practices and the ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.

• Willing to work weekends and bank holidays and travel between sites as required to support operational needs and service delivery.

Interview dates will be week commencing 21st September

Don't feel you meet all the requirements? We value transferable skills, experiences, and qualifications so for an informal chat about the role please contact Danny Wraxton - HWRC Operations Manager at: [e-mail]

Our Recruitment Process: We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you'll bring to the role.

Please note: The minimum essential criteria in the ideal candidate section detailed above will be used if you are applying under one of our Interview Guarantee Schemes.

About Staffordshire County Council

We are no ordinary county council:

Our Values:

The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.

Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:

We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.

We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too.

Our benefits:

We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.

In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire

Our recruitment process:

As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities

As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as yourapplication meets the minimum criteria for the post.