Operations Manager

Biffa Group; Leicester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Biffa Group is seeking an Operations Manager to lead the Waste Transfer Station at our Leicester site. You will manage the site team, supervise contractors and ensure safe, compliant, efficient daily operations in line with contractual requirements.

You will drive continuous improvement, monitor KPIs and help manage budgets, repairs and upgrades while supporting planned decommissioning and future site development with minimal disruption.

Qualifications

• Valid UK driving licence required.
• COTC in Waste and Recycling Management required.
• Experience in people, health and safety management, ideally in a unionised setting.
• Proven track record delivering service KPIs and driving continuous improvement.
• Strong knowledge of environmental responsibilities and waste industry requirements.
• Excellent planning, communication and analytical skills; able to meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day‑to‑day operation of the Waste Transfer Station ensuring safety and efficiency.
• Oversee the site team, contractors and daily activities, aligning with budgets and KPIs.
• Monitor performance data, drive continuous improvement and respond to variances.
• Support decommissioning of redundant plant and future site development plans.
• Collaborate with General Manager on budgets, maintenance costs and staffing levels.

Skills

People management

HSE compliance

Budget management

Planning & analysis

Communication

Driving licence

Education

COTC in Waste and Recycling Management

Job description

Help us make a difference as an Operations Manager

Location: Biffa Leicester

Hours: Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week

Working pattern: Site-based

Quick look at the role

As Operations Manager, you'll lead the safe, compliant and efficient day-to-day operation of our Waste Transfer Station at Hoods Close. Reporting to the General Manager, you'll manage and develop a team, oversee contractors and site activities, and ensure we consistently meet environmental, health and safety, contractual and operational standards. You'll play a key role in driving continuous improvement, delivering against KPIs and budgets, and supporting the planned decommissioning of redundant plant and infrastructure, as well as future site development and improvement projects.

Your Core Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the Waste Transfer Station, ensuring safe, efficient and reliable service delivery in line with contractual requirements and Biffa policies.
• Take responsibility for site health, safety and environmental compliance, ensuring legislation, the Environmental Permit and company procedures are understood and followed.
• Lead, manage and develop the site team, including Supervisors, Engineering Supervisors and WTS operatives, addressing performance, training and employee relations matters effectively.
• Monitor and deliver operational KPIs, analysing performance data and implementing corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives to improve productivity, efficiency and diversion performance.
• Work closely with the General Manager to manage budgets and financial targets, including repair and maintenance costs, overtime, staffing levels and revenue.
• Manage contractors and specialist service providers, ensuring appropriate inductions, RAMS, permits to work, supervision and safe working practices are in place.
• Act as the site's Technically Competent Manager, maintaining high standards of waste industry compliance and building effective relationships with the Environment Agency, clients and other stakeholders.
• Support the decommissioning of redundant plant and infrastructure and contribute to the planning and delivery of site development, layout, infrastructure and process improvements with minimal disruption to live operations.

Our Essential Requirements

• A valid and clean UK Driving Licence.
• COTC (Certificate of Technical Competence) in Waste and Recycling Management.
• Experience managing people, health and safety and employee relations, ideally within a unionised operational environment.
• Proven experience delivering against service delivery KPIs and driving continuous improvement in an operational or service environment.
• Good knowledge of environmental responsibilities, health and safety legislation and waste industry requirements.
• Strong planning, communication and analytical skills, with the ability to manage conflict, influence others, monitor performance data and work effectively to tight deadlines.

And here's why you'll love it at Biffa.

• Competitive salary
• Ongoing career development, training and coaching - because if you don't grow, we don't grow
• Generous pension scheme
• Retail and leisure discounts
• Holiday and travel discounts
• Bike to work scheme
• Plus, much more..

Changing The Way People Think About Waste.

At Biffa, we love working with waste. Whether we're turning it into sustainable power, finding new ways to recycle it or simply keeping it off the streets, we believe every day is an opportunity to improve the lives of millions. It's a view that's shared by our 11,500+ people around the country, who trust us to provide them with a career that's always rewarding, often challenging, but never dull.

And it's why we're the UK's No. 1 choice for business waste management.

Dedicated to diversity.

Being inclusive is core to our culture at Biffa; we believe different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds are key to developing a creative and effective working environment that represents our communities and generates the best outcomes for colleagues, customers and stakeholders, which is why you'll find us championing diversity, equity and inclusion at every turn.