Operational Team Leader

BCP Council; Poole; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in Poole is seeking an Operational Team Leader to manage day-to-day activities at its Recycling Centre. The role requires problem-solving abilities, excellent customer service skills, and the capability to work independently on weekends. The pay range offers £31,537 – £36,363, and candidates should be self-motivated and enjoy outdoor work. Opportunities for career growth are provided, alongside a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Flexible working

Wellbeing support

Opportunities for career progression

Qualifications

• Experience in the waste industry preferred.
• Ability to work in a flexible, multi-skilled team.
• Enjoy working outdoors.

Responsibilities

• Assist residents with their waste at the Recycling Centre.
• Ensure site access criteria are followed.
• Deal with complaints and challenging situations.
• Maximise separation, recycling, and reuse of waste.
• Liaise with contractors for waste collections.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Self-motivated

Problem resolution

Customer service

Job description

From 1 December 2025, our refreshed Pay and Reward package comes into effect, bringing a new approach to how we recognise and reward roles across the Council.

This means the salary for this role will be changing. The pay range for this role will be £31,537 – £36,363 (pro rata for part time colleagues).

We’re looking forward to welcoming new colleagues under this refreshed framework of pay, terms, and conditions. To promote fairness and consistency, all new starters will begin at the bottom of the pay band. This reflects our commitment to equity across the organisation and aligns with the approach taken with existing staff during the transition. While the starting salary is fixed, the role offers excellent scope for growth, meaningful contribution, and being part of a forward‑thinking team.

You can also find out more about the new terms and conditions that we are introducing on our careers site on ‘More than just a job’ brochure.

Role Purpose

BCP Council are looking for a dynamic and proactive Operational Team Leader to assist in the day‑to‑day operations of our Recycling Centre and Waste Transfer Station in Poole.

If you have experience of working in the waste industry, calmly resolving problems and delivering an excellent customer experience then we have an exciting challenge for you!

Main Responsibilities

The successful candidate must enjoy working as part of a flexible and multi‑skilled team and task site operatives, various contractors and operational staff utilising the site.

Daily duties include a variety of customer‑facing activities such as assisting residents with their waste, ensuring site access criteria are adhered to and dealing with complaints and challenging situations.

The Team Leader role also involves maximising separation, recycling and reuse of waste brought into site, ensuring the site is clean and tidy, managing payments for chargeable wastes, facilitating reactive maintenance, and liaising with contractors to arrange waste collections.

The Ideal Candidate

Weekend working will be required on a rota basis (Tuesday to Saturday), where the Team Leader will lead site operations independently and may deputise for the Supervisor.

Applicants are required to be self‑motivated, have strong communication skills and like working outdoors. There may be a requirement to occasionally cover Team Leader roles at other Recycling Centres within the BCP area.

About BCP Council

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world‑renowned coastline. We can offer career‑defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, world‑class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.

Our Benefits

At BCP Council, we’re not just building a workforce— we’re transforming how we recognise and reward our people.

From 1 December 2025, we’re proud to introduce a new Pay and Reward package, shaped through close collaboration with our trade union partners. This marks a significant step forward in how we recognise and reward our colleagues, reflecting our commitment to creating a modern, inclusive, and supportive workplace.

Our enhanced offer includes fair and transparent pay, modernised terms and conditions, and a comprehensive benefits package designed to attract and retain talented individuals. Whether it’s flexible working, wellbeing support, or opportunities for career progression, our new approach puts people first – we’re excited to welcome new colleagues into a Council that’s evolving to meet the needs of both our workforce and our communities.

Check out our attractive enhanced benefits and find out more about the new Pay and Reward package at Employee benefits | Working for BCP link to careers page.