Opus People Solutions Ltd
Contract Manager
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Waste Contracts Manager - 12-Month Fixed-Term Contract
Salary: £39,152 - £42,839 per annum, depending on experience
Location: West Midlands
Hybrid working: 2 days office based with flexibility
12-month FTC (Maternity Cover)
Are you an experienced waste professional looking for an opportunity to take ownership of high-profile frontline services and play a key role in the continued delivery of services that matter to thousands of residents every day?
We are working with an award-winning local authority to recruit a Waste Contracts Manager on a 12-month fixed-term contract.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a supportive and experienced team at an important time for the service. With a major new household waste collections contract recently launched and food waste collections newly introduced, you will play a key role in embedding these services, working closely with contractors and ensuring they continue to deliver the high standards residents expect.
Whether your experience has been gained within a local authority, commercial waste contractor, recycling business or wider environmental services organisation, we would be keen to hear from you.
The role
As Waste Contracts Manager, you will oversee a portfolio of outsourced waste services, with primary responsibility for the household waste collections contract, alongside recycling and composting/disposal contracts.
This is a varied and fast-moving operational role, combining proactive contract management with hands-on problem-solving. No two days are the same, and the unexpected can happen at any time. You could be reviewing contractor performance and service data one moment and working collaboratively with suppliers to resolve an operational issue the next.
You will work in partnership with external contractors, monitor service performance and ensure services continue to operate smoothly and effectively.
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Key responsibilities will include:
- Managing and monitoring the performance of outsourced waste contracts.
- Working collaboratively with suppliers to maintain and improve service delivery.
- Supporting the continued embedding of a recently launched household waste collections contract.
- Supporting the successful delivery of newly introduced food waste collections.
- Identifying and resolving operational issues quickly and effectively.
- Monitoring performance and ensuring contractors meet expected service standards.
- Building strong relationships with suppliers, colleagues and key stakeholders.
- Balancing proactive service improvement with the day-to-day demands of a busy frontline operation.
- Leading and supporting a small team of waste, project and business support professionals.
About you
You will have previous experience within the waste sector. This could have been gained within a local authority, a commercial waste contractor, environmental services, recycling or a related organisation.
Local authority experience would be advantageous, but it is not essential. We are equally interested in hearing from commercially experienced waste professionals who understand operational service delivery, contractor relationships and the realities of working in a fast-paced environment.
You will be someone who:
- Has strong waste management experience.
- Understands operational service delivery and contract management.
- Builds effective relationships with contractors, suppliers and stakeholders.
- Is confident making decisions and solving problems at pace.
- Remains calm and focused when managing competing priorities and unexpected issues.
- Can balance proactive planning with reactive operational demands.
- Has strong communication and influencing skills.
- Is comfortable taking ownership and making things happen.
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Previous line management experience would be beneficial, as you will lead a small team.
A Level 6 qualification in Waste Management or a related discipline would be welcomed; however, relevant qualifications in areas such as environmental management, business administration or management will also be considered alongside suitable experience.
Why join?
This is a rare opportunity to take on a varied and visible role within an award-winning local authority and gain valuable experience managing major frontline waste services at a particularly exciting point in their development.
You will be joining a team that takes real pride in delivering excellent services and will have the opportunity to make a tangible impact from day one.
The role offers:
- Salary of £39,152 - £42,839 per annum, depending on experience.
- 28 days' annual leave.
- Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Flexible hybrid working. Flexibility around working hours, subject to service requirements.
- A supportive and collaborative working environment.
- The opportunity to gain valuable experience overseeing significant waste contracts and newly introduced services.
The team operates flexibly, with approximately two days per week in the office as a general guide. There is also a monthly in-person team meeting on a Monday, alongside any other attendance required to support business needs.
Interested?
If you have experience within waste management and are looking for a role where you can combine contract management, operational problem-solving, supplier relationships and team leadership, we would love to hear from you.
Applications are welcomed from candidates across both the public and private sectors.
Apply today or contact Daniel for a confidential discussion about this opportunity.
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