Waste Collection Manager

Overview

In this role you will oversee daily waste collection operations across the district, guiding a large team and fleet to maintain service continuity. You will work with stakeholders to implement best practices, analyse data from in‑cab devices and body cameras, and drive safety and performance. You will lead staff development, risk assessments, and reporting to senior management, while shaping service delivery to domestic and commercial customers. This is a hands-on, stakeholding role with scope to influence operational standards and service quality.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations to keep routes staffed, complete programmed work, and minimise disruptions; recruit and onboard staff
• Liaise with stakeholders to adopt best practices and trial new processes
• Collect, analyse, and report data from in-cab devices and body cameras to manage performance
• Attend accidents and emergencies on public highways involving waste vehicles; complete accident forms
• Prepare and assist in presenting reports/statistics to Head of Service and Assistant Director
• Provide thorough inductions and keep SOPs up to date; communicate changes regularly
• Carrying out annual appraisals and linking them to supervision; identify training needs
• Arrange relevant training to ensure legal requirements for waste collections are met (ICT, waste, driver, specialist)
• Organise and chair regular staff meetings with up to 240 staff; communicate key information
• Identify and address concerns/complaints about service delivery
• Carry out risk assessments of waste collection operations, vehicle operations, legislation, depot safety
• Operate with initiative and professional judgement within Council policies and procedures
• Manage, develop, and motivate staff to deliver high-quality waste collection for 225,000 domestic properties and 3,000 commercial customers
• Liaise with Fleet Workshops, Street Cleansing, Highways, and Finance to ensure continuity of service
• Attend monthly management reviews to adapt to new challenges in service delivery

Key requirements

• Waste management, collection and disposal legislation experience
• Operational management experience of frontline staff
• Vehicle operations and/or route optimisation experience
• Level 3 Qualification in Operational Management / Waste Management / Fleet Management
• Car licence essential; HGV licence preferred or training available
• Bradford location with depot travel as required
• Experience with risk assessments and safety compliance

• Staff leadership and motivation
• Communication and stakeholder engagement
• Problem solving and decision making
• Data collection and analysis from in-cab devices
• Body camera data handling and reporting
• Risk assessment and compliance processes

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