Waste Supervisor
South Hams District Council
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
South Hams District Council is seeking a Waste Supervisor to lead the day-to-day frontline waste collection operations across Ivybridge and Torr Quarry Depots. You will manage frontline crews, support performance, promote a strong safety culture and ensure services are delivered safely and efficiently for local communities.
The role offers leadership responsibility, professional development, and the security of local authority employment.
Qualifications
- Experience within the waste management, collection or operational services sector.
- Previous line management or supervisory experience.
- Good understanding of health and safety legislation and safe working practices.
- Strong leadership and communication skills.
- Excellent organisational and time management abilities.
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
- Ability to build positive working relationships with staff, customers and stakeholders.
- Full UK Manual Driving Licence.
- HGV Class 2 Licence.
- Knowledge of Whitespace or similar operational management systems.
- Understanding of local authority services.
Responsibilities
- Leading day-to-day frontline waste collection operations, ensuring safe and compliant delivery of services.
- Manage frontline operatives and agency staff.
- Conduct daily briefings, debriefings, and appraisals.
- Plan and allocate daily work programmes and resources.
- Monitor service performance and address operational issues.
- Carry out supervisory visits and maintain accurate records.
- Ensure staff are trained, equipped and working safely.
- Investigate incidents, near misses and safety concerns.
- Deliver toolbox talks and refresher training.
- Respond to customer enquiries and councillor requests.
- Support continuous improvement across waste and recycling operations.
Skills
Tools
Job description
Can you help Lead an Essential Frontline Service
Looking for a Leadership Role Where You Can Make a Real Difference?
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Waste Supervisor to join our Waste and Recycling Team based at Ivybridge and Torr Quarry Depots.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead frontline operational teams delivering essential waste and recycling services across our local communities. You'll play a key role in ensuring services are delivered safely, efficiently and to the high standards our residents expect.
As a Waste Supervisor, you'll be responsible for managing frontline crews, supporting operational performance, promoting a strong safety culture and ensuring our waste and recycling services continue to deliver for our communities every day.
Why Join Us?
Leadership role with real responsibility and influence
Opportunities for professional development and training
Supportive management team
Work locally and serve your community
Be part of an organisation committed to environmental sustainability and excellent public services
Work-Life Balance
We understand that the best people perform at their best when they have a healthy balance between work and home life.
This role offers the stability and security of local authority employment, with the opportunity to work close to home while leading a service that directly benefits local communities.
Unlike many operational management roles in the private sector, you'll enjoy the benefits of working within a public service organisation that values wellbeing, teamwork and long-term career development.
About the Role
You’ll lead the day-to-day delivery of frontline waste collection operations, ensuring services are delivered safely, efficiently and in compliance with health, safety and environmental regulations.
Your responsibilities will include:
Managing and supporting frontline operatives and agency staff.
Conducting daily briefings, debriefings, one-to-ones and appraisals.
Planning and allocating daily work programmes and resources.
Monitoring service performance and addressing operational issues.
Carrying out supervisory visits and maintaining accurate operational records.
Ensuring staff are trained, equipped and working safely.
Investigating incidents, near misses and safety concerns.
Delivering toolbox talks and refresher training.
Responding to customer enquiries, complaints and councillor requests.
Supporting continuous improvement across waste and recycling operations.
What We're Looking For
Experience within the waste management, collection or operational services sector.
Previous line management or supervisory experience.
Good understanding of health and safety legislation and safe working practices.
Strong leadership and communication skills.
Excellent organisational and time management abilities.
Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to build positive working relationships with staff, customers and stakeholders.
Full UK Manual Driving Licence.
IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent Health & Safety qualification.
Experience within a waste collection environment.
Knowledge of Whitespace or similar operational management systems.
Understanding of local authority services.
HGV Class 2 Licence.
What Success Looks Like
You’ll be a visible leader who enjoys motivating teams, solving problems and delivering excellent customer service. You’ll take pride in leading a safe, efficient operation and helping to ensure that residents receive a reliable waste and recycling service every day.
If you’re looking for a rewarding supervisory role with real purpose, where you can lead people, improve services and make a positive impact in your local community, we’d love to hear from you.
For an informal discussion about this role please contact Simon Bruford, Head of Waste Services on simon.bruford@swdevon.gov.uk or 01803 861533.
Closing Date: Sunday 15 November 2026
Interviews are expected to be held: Monday 23 November 2026
Company: South Hams District Council
Salary: £38,510 to £39,481 a year
Hours: Full-time
Location: TQ9 7QQ
Working pattern: On-site
Job type: Permanent
Posting date: 30 Oct 2026
Closing date: 15 Nov 2026
Can you help Lead an Essential Frontline Service
Looking for a Leadership Role Where You Can Make a Real Difference?
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Waste Supervisor to join our Waste and Recycling Team based at Ivybridge and Torr Quarry Depots.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead frontline operational teams delivering essential waste and recycling services across our local communities. You'll play a key role in ensuring services are delivered safely, efficiently and to the high standards our residents expect.
As a Waste Supervisor, you'll be responsible for managing frontline crews, supporting operational performance, promoting a strong safety culture and ensuring our waste and recycling services continue to deliver for our communities every day.
Why Join Us?
Local Government Pension Scheme
Permanent, secure employment
Leadership role with real responsibility and influence
Opportunities for professional development and training
Supportive management team
Work locally and serve your community
Be part of an organisation committed to environmental sustainability and excellent public services
Work-Life Balance
We understand that the best people perform at their best when they have a healthy balance between work and home life.
This role offers the stability and security of local authority employment, with the opportunity to work close to home while leading a service that directly benefits local communities.
Unlike many operational management roles in the private sector, you'll enjoy the benefits of working within a public service organisation that values wellbeing, teamwork and long-term career development.
About the Role
You'll lead the day-to-day delivery of frontline waste collection operations, ensuring services are delivered safely, efficiently and in compliance with health, safety and environmental regulations.
Your responsibilities will include:
Managing and supporting frontline operatives and agency staff.
Conducting daily briefings, debriefings, one-to-ones and appraisals.
Planning and allocating daily work programmes and resources.
Monitoring service performance and addressing operational issues.
Carrying out supervisory visits and maintaining accurate operational records.
Ensuring staff are trained, equipped and working safely.
Investigating incidents, near misses and safety concerns.
Delivering toolbox talks and refresher training.
Responding to customer enquiries, complaints and councillor requests.
Supporting continuous improvement across waste and recycling operations.
What We're Looking For
Essential
Experience within the waste management, collection or operational services sector.
Previous line management or supervisory experience.
Good understanding of health and safety legislation and safe working practices.
Strong leadership and communication skills.
Excellent organisational and time management abilities.
Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to build positive working relationships with staff, customers and stakeholders.
Full UK Manual Driving Licence.
Desirable
IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent Health & Safety qualification.
Experience within a waste collection environment.
Knowledge of Whitespace or similar operational management systems.
Understanding of local authority services.
HGV Class 2 Licence.
What Success Looks Like
You’ll be a visible leader who enjoys motivating teams, solving problems and delivering excellent customer service. You’ll take pride in leading a safe, efficient operation and helping to ensure that residents receive a reliable waste and recycling service every day.
If you’re looking for a rewarding supervisory role with real purpose, where you can lead people, improve services and make a positive impact in your local community, we’d love to hear from you.
For an informal discussion about this role please contact Simon Bruford, Head of Waste Services on simon.bruford@swdevon.gov.uk or 01803 861533.
Closing Date: Sunday 15 November 2026
Interviews are expected to be held: Monday 23 November 2026
As above
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