Transport Operator

River Ridge Recycling; Belfast; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent waste management company in Northern Ireland seeks a Transport Operator to efficiently plan and coordinate waste collection and transportation operations. The ideal candidate will have at least 1 year of experience in transport planning, strong geographical knowledge of Northern Ireland, and excellent problem-solving skills. This full-time position offers competitive salary, supportive team environment, and opportunities for growth.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package

Annual discretionary bonus scheme

Private healthcare scheme

33 days annual leave

Company pension scheme

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year experience in transport planning, ideally within waste management or logistics.
• Knowledge of vehicle types and their operational capabilities.
• Can work independently and enjoys working as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Ensure efficient waste collection and transportation operations.
• Conduct daily driver debriefs to review routes and performance.
• Monitor vehicle availability and maintenance schedules.

Skills

Transport planning experience

Strong geographical knowledge of Northern Ireland

Proficiency in transport planning software

Excellent communication skills

Organisational skills

Problem-solving skills

Ability to work under pressure

Understanding of transport regulations

Education

CPC in Transport Management (desirable)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Transport Operator TO/10/25)

Location: Duncrue Street, Belfast
Full-Time (40 hours Monday to Friday) & Occasional Sat working | Permanent
Salary: Competitive + Benefits

Job Purpose

To ensure the efficient and cost-effective planning and coordination of waste collection and transportation operations across multiple sites, using a fleet of single lift, multi lift, and articulated vehicles. The role supports operational excellence, compliance, and customer satisfaction through proactive transport planning and real-time problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities

• Route Planning & Scheduling
  • Plan daily and weekly routes for single lift, multi lift, and articulated vehicles.
  • Optimise vehicle usage to ensure timely collections and deliveries across multiple sites.
  • Adjust plans dynamically in response to operational changes, breakdowns, or customer requests.
• Driver Debrief
  • Conduct daily driver debriefs to review route performance, service issues, driver compliance and vehicle defects.
  • Ensure accurate logging of driver feedback and elevate issues where necessary.
  • Promote a culture of safety, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Fleet Coordination
  • Monitor vehicle availability, maintenance schedules, and driver rosters.
  • Liaise with drivers to ensure clear communication of routes and expectations.
  • Ensure compliance with legal and safety standards (e.g., driver hours, vehicle weights).
• Operational Support
  • Collaborate with transport managers and operations teams to align transport plans with site needs.
  • Maintain accurate records of vehicle movements, service logs, and route performance.
  • Use transport management systems (TMS) and GPS tracking tools to monitor and improve efficiency.
• Customer Service
  • Respond to customer queries regarding collections and deliveries and update Driver/Helper teams accordingly.
  • Ensure service levels are met and proactively resolve any transport-related issues.
• Compliance & KPI Reporting
  • Ensure all transport activities comply with relevant legislation (e.g., Waste Carrier Licence).
  • Prepare reports on transport performance, fuel usage, and route efficiency.
• Reporting
  • Produce and maintain daily and weekly reports including End of Day Report, Productivity Log & Defects Report, Run Unconfirmed Report & Clear Down, Predicted Disposal Report, Disposal Tonnage Reconciliation, Cost per Bin Report, Dashboard KPI Reports.
  • Analyse data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement and support management with strategic insights.
• Handover Duties
  • Complete and communicate clear handovers at shift changes or between planning teams, ensuring continuity of operations by documenting outstanding issues, route changes, and service exceptions.
• Other Duties – Any other reasonable duties as deemed necessary by Management.

Skills & Experience Required

• Minimum 1 year experience in transport planning, ideally within waste management or logistics.
• Knowledge of vehicle types and their operational capabilities (single lift, multi lift, articulated).
• Strong geographical knowledge of Northern Ireland and route planning skills.
• Proficiency in transport planning software and Microsoft Office.
• Excellent communication, organisational and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing priorities.
• Understanding of transport regulations and health & safety standards.
• Can work independently and enjoys working as part of a team.
• Confident communicator with strong written and verbal skills.
• Flexible approach to working hours, including weekends and Bank Holidays.

Desirable Qualifications

• CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) in Transport Management.
• Experience with multi‑site operations.
• Knowledge of waste management industry practices and regulations.

* Must be able to provide documentation to confirm your eligibility to work in the UK.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Supportive team environment.
• Annual Discretionary bonus scheme, subject to the achievement of agreed KPI's.
• Opportunities for personal growth and development.
• Eligible for Company Sick pay and DIS benefit after one year's continuous service.
• Eligible for Private Healthcare Scheme and Cash health benefit (upon successful completion of probation).
• 33 days annual leave including Bank holidays.
• Company pension scheme.

Closing Date: 14th November 2025, 5 pm

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