Lead one of the UK's most complex hazardous waste processing operations.

This isn't your typical Operations Manager role.

We're looking for an experienced operational leader to take responsibility for a highly regulated hazardous waste processing facility that combines a waste transfer station, waste oil processing plant and manufacturing operation. Processing up to 1 million litres of material every week, this is a technically demanding environment where safety, compliance and operational excellence are paramount.

Reporting directly to the Operations Director, you'll lead an established operational structure comprising a Supervisor, Team Leaders and a team of approximately 25 Operators. The foundations are already in place - ISO management systems are embedded, Lean principles are established, and the business has already achieved significant operational improvements. Your role is to build on that success, develop your people and continue driving operational performance.

This is a visible leadership role for someone who enjoys being on the shop floor, coaching teams, solving operational challenges and making informed decisions in a fast-paced industrial environment.

The Role

You'll have full responsibility for the day-to-day operation of a complex processing site, ensuring all activities are carried out safely, efficiently and in full compliance with environmental legislation and permit requirements.

Working closely with Transport, Engineering, Compliance and Commercial teams, you'll ensure the facility continues to operate at the highest standards while identifying opportunities to further improve performance, reliability and safety.

You'll play a key role in maintaining operational excellence across multiple functions, including hazardous waste processing, waste transfer operations and waste oil manufacturing, ensuring production targets are achieved without compromising safety or compliance.

What You'll Be Doing

• Providing operational leadership across a busy hazardous waste processing facility.
• Leading, coaching and developing a well-established operational team including a Supervisor, Team Leaders and approximately 25 Operators.
• Championing an industry-leading Health & Safety culture, ensuring compliance is never compromised.
• Ensuring the site operates in full accordance with Environmental Permit conditions and regulatory requirements.
• Driving operational performance through effective planning, resource management and KPI analysis.
• Working closely with Engineering to maximise plant availability and minimise downtime.
• Leading continuous improvement projects using Lean manufacturing principles, visual management and workplace organisation.
• Managing operational change effectively while maintaining site stability.
• Supporting asset management, preventative maintenance planning and operational reliability.
• Investigating incidents, near misses and root causes, implementing preventative actions where required.
• Collaborating with Transport and Commercial teams to ensure exceptional service delivery and efficient site throughput.
• Maintaining compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 management systems.
• Developing a culture of accountability, engagement and continuous improvement throughout the operation.

About You

This role would suit an experienced Operations Manager, Plant Manager, Manufacturing Manager or Processing Manager who has successfully led teams within a highly regulated industrial environment.

You'll be a hands-on leader who naturally develops people, earns respect through knowledge and communication, and enjoys creating high-performing teams rather than managing through authority alone.

• NEBOSH General Certificate (or equivalent).
• WAMITAB Certificate of Technical Competence (CoTC) – desirable.
• Proven experience leading operational teams within a compliance-driven industrial environment.
• Strong understanding of Health & Safety, environmental compliance and operational governance.
• Experience coaching, mentoring and developing people.
• Excellent planning, organisational and decision-making skills.
• Experience managing KPIs, operational performance and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage teams at every level.
• A proactive, visible leadership style with a passion for operational excellence.

We'd also welcome experience from sectors such as:

• Hazardous Waste
• Waste Management
• Recycling
• Chemical Processing
• Oil & Fuel Processing
• Manufacturing
• Heavy Industry
• Utilities
• Process Engineering
• Industrial Processing

What's on Offer

• Salary of £57,000 - £65,000.
• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays.
• Private Healthcare (Bupa).
• Company Pension Scheme (3% employer / 5% employee contribution).
• Life Assurance (3x salary).
• Holiday Purchase Scheme.
• Free on-site parking.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Lifestyle and retail discount scheme.
• Bike2Work Scheme.

If you're looking for a role where you'll lead a technically advanced, compliance-led operation and have the opportunity to influence performance, develop people and make a genuine operational impact, we'd love to hear from you.

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