Waste Minimisation Coordinator

Wastemanagement8; Palmerston North; Hybrid; NZD 34,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

WM New Zealand is seeking a part-time Waste Minimisation Coordinator to support Massey University's sustainability goals at the Manawatū campus. You will lead waste reduction initiatives, deliver education programmes, and monitor performance across campus.

You’ll collaborate with university and WM teams to identify opportunities for reuse and recycling, coordinate audits, and manage stakeholder communications to drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Strong stakeholder management and consultation skills.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Strong planning, organisational and project coordination skills.

Responsibilities

• Be the key point of contact for waste minimisation at Massey University's Manawatū campus and build relationships with stakeholders across the university.
• Develop and deliver waste minimisation initiatives and sustainability activities across campus.
• Monitor waste streams, contamination and collection services to improve reuse and recycling.
• Coordinate waste audits, assessments, reporting and updates for university stakeholders and governance groups.
• Work with sustainability and operations teams and service partners to resolve issues and maintain high service standards.
• Support waste planning for new sites, projects and events, including coordinating students and volunteers.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Presentation skills

Project coordination

Planning

MS Office

Independence

Driver's licence

Education

Tertiary qualification in sustainability

Tools

Microsoft Office

General IT skills

Job description

About the role

We're looking for a Waste Minimisation Coordinator to support Massey University's sustainability ambitions by reducing waste sent to disposal and increasing reuse, recycling and resource recovery across their Manawatū campus.

Working closely with Massey University's sustainability and operational teams, as well as WM's sustainability, account management and operational teams, you'll lead waste minimisation initiatives, deliver education programmes, monitor waste performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

This is a varied, people-focused role where you'll have the opportunity to make a tangible difference to waste reduction and sustainability outcomes across a large university environment.

This part-time role offers workspaces at both WM's Palmerston North office and the university.

Key Responsibilities

• You’ll be the key point of contact for waste minimisation at Massey University's Manawatū campus, building strong relationships across the university and working collaboratively to improve waste and recycling outcomes.
• Develop and deliver waste minimisation initiatives, education programmes and sustainability activities across campus.
• Monitor waste streams, contamination and collection services, identifying opportunities to improve reuse, recycling and recovery.
• Coordinate waste audits, assessments, reporting and performance updates for university stakeholders and governance groups.
• Work closely with WM's sustainability and operations teams, cleaning providers and other service partners to resolve issues and maintain high service standards.
• Support waste planning for new sites, projects and events, including coordinating students and volunteers where required.
• Build strong relationships with key university stakeholders and provide advice on waste minimisation and resource recovery opportunities.

About you

You're passionate about sustainability and enjoy bringing people together to create practical change. You're confident engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, comfortable presenting to groups, and organised enough to manage multiple projects and priorities.

You’ll bring:

• Strong stakeholder management and consultation skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence at different levels.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, with confidence engaging and presenting to groups.
• Strong planning, organisational and project coordination skills.
• The ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a wider team.
• Strong Microsoft Office and general IT skills.
• A tertiary qualification, diploma or relevant study or currently in the process of obtaining a qualification in sustainability, environmental management, waste management or a related field.
• A current New Zealand driver's licence.

It would be great if you also have:

• Experience in waste management, resource recovery, sustainability or environmental services.
• Experience delivering education, engagement or behaviour-change programmes.
• Experience coordinating projects or continuous improvement initiatives.

Why You'll Love Working with Us

This is an opportunity to work at the intersection of sustainability, education and resource recovery, helping Massey University achieve meaningful waste reduction outcomes.

You’ll have the opportunity to lead initiatives, engage with a diverse university community, develop your project and stakeholder management skills, and contribute to WM's wider circular economy ambitions.

Join a team that values innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement, while helping create a more sustainable future for Aotearoa.

This is more than just a job. It's your chance to make a tangible difference and set the pace for the future. Join us at WM New Zealand, where innovation meets sustainability.

WM New Zealand fosters a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We also promote a healthy and safe work environment for all employees.

To ensure a smooth onboarding process, we can only consider applications from candidates who are eligible to work in New Zealand.