Operations Manager

Enva; Pelaw; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Enva is seeking an Operations Manager to lead safe, structured and high-performing operations across our treatment and processing activities in Gateshead. This role focuses on developing people, setting standards and embedding a culture of safety, performance and continuous improvement.

You will guide day-to-day operations, drive KPI achievement, manage risk, and champion structured CI initiatives, reporting to the Operations department. A strong leader with hands-on style is essential.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in operational environments.
• Strong people development capability.
• Experience leading safety in a high risk or regulated setting.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to apply CI methodologies.
• Highly organized, structured and able to prioritise effectively.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Hands on leadership style.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing operational team.
• Ensure safety compliance and risk management.
• Oversee treatment, processing and transfer activities.
• Drive KPI delivery across safety, quality and cost.
• Implement Kaizen and CI programs.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners.

Skills

Leadership experience

People development

Safety leadership

Analytical mindset

Highly organized

Communication

Hands-on leadership

Education

Degree or equivalent

NEBOSH General Certificate

Job description

Operations Manager

Application Deadline: 1 September 2026

Department: Operations

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Gateshead

Description

The Operations Manager is responsible for leading safe, structured and high-performing operations across our treatment and processing activities.
This role is built for a leader who develops people first – someone who sets standards, builds capability, drives accountability and creates a culture where safety, performance and continuous improvement are embedded in everyday behaviours.
This is a hands-on leadership role with significant influence over operational culture, team development and long-term performance.

Key Responsibilities

People Leadership and Culture

• Build a high-performing, engaged and accountable operational team.
• Coach, mentor and develop colleagues through structured development plans and regular feedback.
• Set clear expectations, role clarity and behavioural standards.
• Lead with visibility, consistency and credibility – modelling the behaviours expected across the site.
• Create a culture of ownership, teamwork and continuous improvement.

Safety Leadership

• Champion a safety-first mindset, ensuring all activities meet H&S legislation and internal standards.
• Lead risk assessments, safe systems of work, incident investigations and behavioural safety conversations.
• Embed proactive safety behaviours and structured safety routines across the team.

Operational Leadership

• Own day-to-day operational delivery across treatment, processing and transfer activities.
• Ensure throughput, quality, compliance and service levels are consistently achieved.
• Maintain structured operational control through visual management, standardized work and clear escalation processes.
• Drive stability, discipline and clarity in daily operations.

Performance and Accountability

• Deliver operational KPI’s including safety, compliance, productivity, cost control and team development.
• Use structured performance management to instill accountability and support colleagues to meet expectations.
• Ensure consistent adherence to procedures, standards and operational routines.

Continuous Improvement

• Embed CI methodologies (Kaizen, root cause analysis) to improve productivity, quality and cost.
• Lead improvement projects focused on safety, process stability, equipment reliability and operational efficiency.
• Implement workplace organization standards to elevate operational performance.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Build strong relationships with internal teams including H&S, Compliance, Transport, and Commercial.
• Work collaboratively with external partners, contractors and regulators.
• Communicate clearly and proactively across all levels of the organization.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Essential:

• Proven leadership experience in operational environments.
• Strong people development capability – coaching, mentoring, performance management.
• Demonstrate experience leading safety in a high risk or regulated setting.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to apply CI methodologies.
• Highly organized, structured and able to prioritise effectively.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Hands on leadership style.

Desirable:

• NEBOSH General Certificate
• Experience in hazardous waste, waste treatment or similar regulated environments.
• Behavioural safety or culture change expertise.
• Degree qualification or equivalent.
• COTC (Hazardous Waste Transfer and Treatment.

Why Work For Enva?

Enva is committed to providing more than just jobs, we want to grow our business by offering career paths that match the aspirations of the talent that is increasingly aware of the need to protect the planet we all share. For the right candidates, the possibilities are truly endless and we will offer all the support, training and benefits you need to help you realise your true potential.

• A competitive salary in a growing company committed to our people.
• Competitive holiday allowance.
• Company pension scheme.
• Enhanced family friendly policies.
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Lifestyle & leisure discounts (gym, cinema, shopping, and more).
• Employee life insurance.
• Bike2Work scheme.
• Free on-site parking.
• Holiday Purchase Scheme.