Operations Waste Picker Manager Midrand, Jhb

Elev8; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 60 000 - 80 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Waste Management firm in South Africa seeks an experienced Waste Picker Operations Manager. The role involves overseeing the Waste Picker Business Unit, ensuring financial and regulatory compliance, and promoting sustainability initiatives. Ideal candidates will have a relevant degree and managerial experience in waste management. Strong leadership and financial acumen are essential, alongside excellent communication skills. This position offers a chance to significantly impact South Africa's recycling value chain and circular economy.

Qualifications

• Experience in a technical specialist and managerial role within waste management or recycling.
• Proven ability to manage multiple business units and budgets effectively.
• Strong financial management and reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Waste Picker Business Unit including strategic planning and performance delivery.
• Oversee partner collaborations related to waste picker payments and contracts.
• Ensure budget management and financial accountability for the business unit.
• Conduct site visits to ensure waste pickers are properly registered and remunerated.
• Prepare monthly progress and performance reports.

Skills

Six Sigma

Lean

Management Experience

Process Improvement

Microsoft Outlook

Analysis Skills

Warehouse Management System

Operations Management

Kaizen

Leadership Experience

Supervising Experience

Retail Management

Education

BCom or equivalent degree in Business, R&D, Environmental Management, Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

OPERATIONS WASTE PICKER MANAGER – Midrand Jhb

R****** R****** Per Annum Negotiable on Qualification and Years of relevant experience

Our client a highly reputable and innovative Waste Management firm is seeking an experienced and dynamic Waste Picker Operations Manager to oversee their national Waste Picker Business Unit.

The successful candidate will manage partnerships to ensure financial and regulatory compliance under the EPR framework and lead initiatives that promote the integration and sustainability of waste pickers within the recycling value chain. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to South Africa’s circular economy and sustainability objectives, improving livelihoods, ensuring compliance, and driving impactful partnerships within the EPR framework. Strong financial acumen, operational leadership and the ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders across South Africa and internationally are required.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the Waste Picker Business Unit including strategic planning, target setting and performance delivery.
• Oversee partner collaborations related to waste picker payments, contracts and compliance.
• Ensure budget management and financial accountability for the business unit (formulation, monitoring and adherence).
• Support strategy development and provide technical guidance to partners and buy-back centres on all plastic waste materials.
• Conduct site and area visits across South Africa to ensure waste pickers are properly registered and remunerated.
• Manage and sign contracts for waste picker payments with existing and new partners.
• Lead and coordinate monthly administrative and financial processes related to waste picker payments and incentives.
• Prepare and submit monthly progress and performance reports highlighting key developments in waste picker integration.
• Ensure EPR regulatory compliance aligning all operations with governance frameworks and funding requirements.
• Maintain strong relationships and communication with the PRO alliance regarding waste picker registration and compliance.
• Provide technical assistance to buy-back centres and partner organisations to optimise collection and recycling processes.
• Approve monthly reclaimer incentive fees in line with policy and budget.
• Lead and manage multiple concurrent projects ensuring deliverables are achieved on time and within scope.
• Maintain effective communication with waste picker organisations and relevant industry stakeholders.
• Report directly to the Senior Manager on all activities and progress related to waste picker integration.

Qualifications and Experience

• BCom or equivalent degree in Business, R&D, Environmental Management, Engineering or related field.
• Years of experience in a technical specialist and managerial role within the waste management, recycling or EPR environment.
• Proven ability to manage multiple business units and budgets effectively.
• Strong financial management and reporting skills.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Willingness to travel locally and internationally as required.

Personal Attributes

• Strong leadership, organisational and project management abilities.
• Analytical thinker with attention to financial and regulatory detail.
• Comfortable engaging with diverse communities and foreign stakeholders.
• Results‑driven, proactive and adaptable in a dynamic environment.

Key Skills

• Six Sigma
• Lean
• Management Experience
• Process Improvement
• Microsoft Outlook
• Analysis Skills
• Warehouse Management System
• Operations Management
• Kaizen
• Leadership Experience
• Supervising Experience
• Retail Management

To apply for this role please forward a detailed and updated CV to Lameez Herborn and Andrea Jones.

Employment Type: Full‑Time
Experience: years
Vacancy: 1
Yearly Salary: ***************
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