Waste and Recycling Contracts Officer

Suffolk County Council; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 41,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in Ipswich is hiring a Waste and Recycling Contracts Officer to manage service contracts for waste management. The role involves ensuring contract compliance, overseeing contractor performance, and leading projects aimed at efficiency improvements. Candidates should have experience in contract management and strong communication skills. The position offers a salary of £40,777 per annum with hybrid working options and various employee benefits.

Benefits

Up to 29 days annual leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Travel and health benefits

Performance-related pay progression

Training opportunities

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Experience managing service contracts, especially in waste and recycling.
• Ability to build strong relationships with contractors and stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills for effective interaction.

Responsibilities

• Manage the delivery of high-value waste and recycling services.
• Ensure service contracts meet council expectations.
• Lead projects to improve waste management performance.

Skills

Contract management

Relationship management

Communication

Initiative

Job description

Suffolk County Council

Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich IP1 2BX – Hybrid working

Salary: £40,777 per annum (pro rata for part time)

Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available

Contract: Permanent

Position Overview

As a Waste and Recycling Contracts Officer in the Waste Management Team, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills, make a meaningful impact, and shape the future of Suffolk. You will manage waste and recycling service contracts to ensure that services are delivered in line with contract requirements.

Your Role and Responsibilities

This is a business‑critical role. Your responsibilities include:

• Client managing the day‑to‑day delivery of high value, highly specialised and highly interdependent waste and recycling services through numerous contractors and complex contracts.
• Proactively managing day‑to‑day contractor performance to ensure services are delivered in line with council expectations and contractual requirements, negotiating, seeking continuous improvement and managing any risks/failures/concerns, communicating these to senior management and escalating where appropriate.
• Establishing and maintaining key working relationships with relevant contractor representatives to ensure good communication and facilitate resolution of service issues.
• Leading and managing projects, or participating in project teams as a technical expert to procure or mobilise new contracts, deliver reductions in service costs, and/or implement performance and infrastructure improvements to waste and recycling services and facilities and improve the customer experience.
• Supporting specialist service functions such as business continuity planning/emergency response; maintaining records of service property estate; managing property, responding to development applications, Freedom of Information, Environmental Information Regulations and other queries, dealing with property leases and other legal issues associated with contract management.

You will need

• Recent experience of day‑to‑day management of service contracts, preferably in the waste and recycling services sector.
• Experience of successfully developing and maintaining strong, successful relationships with contractors, stakeholders, other agencies and organisations.
• Initiative and responsibility for developing and achieving actions and communicating effectively with all stakeholders.

The Team

The waste management team delivers the council’s statutory duties as a waste disposal authority, i.e. the transfer, treatment and disposal of municipal waste, recycling, organics and other waste materials as well as the provision of a network of recycling centres and the closed landfill estate. The team works closely with other agencies, most notably the District and Borough councils responsible for waste collection (the Suffolk Waste Partnership), to ensure the smooth, effective and efficient delivery of these high‑profile, universal services. The team is also involved in projects and communications to influence public attitudes and behaviours in relation to waste, recycling and reuse.

We Will Offer You

With this role you will continually develop your knowledge and skills, both in terms of recycling and waste management specific items, and in general contract management. We will encourage you to take training and development opportunities, both those provided by Suffolk County Council and those from external organisations such as the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management.

EEO Statement

We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation. We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and we expect all staff to share this commitment.

Safeguarding Statement

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for this role.

How to Apply

1. Read the Job and Person Profile. 2. Click "Apply Now" to start your online application. 3. Upload a supporting statement answering the question: "Tell us why you are the best person for this role and how your skills and experience align with the selection criteria." 4. Upload a CV (without name and personal details). Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your application will not be progressed.

Closing & Interview Dates

Closing date: 11:30 pm, 11 January 2026. Interview date: 2, 3 or 4 February 2026.

Benefits

• Up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• Membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• Performance‑related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost‑of‑living pay increase
• Training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• A variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• Diverse and active staff networks
• Flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day