We're Hiring: Operations Manager Role

Operations Manager – Waste Management & CPC Holder

Location: Heywood, Greater Manchester 
Salary: £38,000 - £40,000 
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Holidays: 25 days + 8 TOIL days (for Bank Holidays worked)
Equity & Profit Share: Shares in the business + profit share scheme

About Us

We’re a small, values-driven waste management business that’s growing quickly and growing the right way.

We believe in:

Looking after the business

Looking after our people

Doing the job properly

Treating customers with care and respect

We’re building something long-term. That means we’re looking for people who care, who take responsibility, and who want to be part of a success story.

If you want an easy ride, minimal responsibility, or somewhere to hide this won’t be for you.
If you want ownership, trust, and a real chance to make your mark then read on.

The Role

We’re looking for an Operations Manager to take ownership of our day-to-day waste collection operations and help us take the next step as a business.

You’ll be responsible for:

Leading drivers and managing routes

Keeping the fleet compliant, efficient, and ready to work

Making sure customers get a reliable, professional service

Improving how we do things as we grow

This is a hands-on role. You’ll be close to the operation, close to the people, and close to the detail. You’ll be trusted to make decisions and expected to follow through.

You’ll also act as our named Transport Manager (CPC holder) and play a key role in shaping how the business runs as we expand.

What You’ll Be Doing

Operations & Service Delivery

Planning and optimising collection routes across all waste streams

Ensuring daily operational readiness of vehicles, drivers, and depot

Managing missed collections and service issues through to resolution

Spot-checking rounds, standards, safety, and customer service

People & Leadership

Leading, motivating, and managing drivers and depot staff

Setting clear expectations and getting the best out of people

Managing rotas, holidays, cover, and training

Running one-to-ones, performance reviews, and toolbox talks

Fleet & Compliance

Acting as named Transport Manager and CPC holder

Ensuring full O-Licence, tachograph, and driver hours compliance

Planning servicing, inspections, MOTs, defects, and repairs

Keeping the fleet safe, legal, and well looked after

Health, Safety & Standards

Driving a strong safety-first culture

Managing H&S processes and continuous improvement

Supporting and maintaining ISO standards where applicable

Improvement & Growth

Looking for better ways to run routes, manage people, and serve customers

Using data and common sense to improve reliability and efficiency

Helping the business scale smoothly as fleet and volumes increase

The Kind of Person We’re Looking For

This role will suit someone who:

Is hard-working, reliable, and organised

Genuinely cares about people and processes

Is comfortable leading from the front and being accountable

Takes pride in doing things properly

Treats customers as if the business were their own

Enjoys improving systems, standards, and performance

You’ll need to be calm under pressure, fair but firm with people, and happy dealing with real-world operational challenges.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential

Proven operations or transport management experience (waste, recycling, haulage, or similar)

Experience managing drivers and fleet compliance

Strong understanding of transport legislation and day-to-day operations

Transport Manager CPC (or willing to obtain immediately)

Full UK driving licence

Desirable

HGV licence (useful for moving wagons for inspections and support)

IOSH / NEBOSH or similar

Experience with ISO standards

Experience with multi-stream waste collections

What We Offer

Shares in the business

Profit share scheme

25 days holiday + 8 TOIL days

A senior role in a growing company where your voice matters

Trust, autonomy, and support

A “look after the business and we’ll look after you” culture

This is a role for someone who wants to build something, not just manage what already exists.

Important to Know

This is not a desk-only role.
This is not a clock-watching role.
This is not a role for someone who avoids responsibility.

It is a role for someone who wants to be proud of what they do, be part of a strong team, and share in the success they help create.

How to Apply

If this role genuinely excites you and you feel your values, experience, and work ethic align with what we’re building, we’d love to hear from you.

Please email your CV (and a short covering note if you wish) to:

📧 josh@busybins.co.uk

In your application, we’re particularly interested in people who can demonstrate:

Experience leading people and operations

A strong sense of responsibility and reliability

A genuine interest in being part of a growing business, not just filling a role

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Suitable candidates will be contacted for an initial conversation.