At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage daily operations and lead a traffic dispatch team to ensure top-notch service.
- Company: Join Biffa, the UK's leading waste management company with a focus on sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, career development, discounts, and a generous pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in waste management while developing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in operational management and strong people skills are essential.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team dedicated to improving lives through innovative waste solutions.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
A quick look at the role. To efficiently and effectively manage the day-to-day operations of the Depot, whilst delivering and maintaining first class customer service against pre-defined business KPIs. This role will work alongside the Transport Manager role to support the depot's operational, safety, transport and service performance.
Your core responsibilities:
- Support the Depot Manager to ensure depot performance meets required standards while maintaining cost efficiencies, and deputise during periods of absence.
- Lead, support and manage a traffic dispatch team of six, monitoring performance through key KPIs covering Service, Safety and Profitability.
- Oversee daily operations involving 31 vehicles, 50 drivers and 35 routes (including backshifts) across weekdays and selected weekend services.
- Manage driver performance, development and feedback, maintaining personal development plans and supporting career progression.
- Handle underperformance, absence management and disciplinary procedures, ensuring driver cover and manpower levels are sustained year-round.
- Plan and oversee mobilisation of new contracts, short-term projects, re-routes and seasonal changes, ensuring optimal resource and route planning.
- Work with customer services and commercial teams to enhance customer experience, monitor key service reports and attend customer meetings where required.
- Ensure full compliance with Health & Safety requirements, including inductions, training, safe systems of work and collaboration with off-site colleagues.
Our essential requirements:
- Strong operational management experience within the waste or similar industries, with good knowledge of relevant regulations.
- Proven ability to manage people, health & safety, and performance in a unionised environment.
- Skilled at prioritising workloads, delegating effectively, and delivering against KPIs in a fast-changing environment.
- Commercially aware, with experience managing P&L accounts and controlling costs to maximise profitability.
- Confident user of Microsoft systems (including Teams) and other operational software central to Biffa processes.
And here’s why you’ll love it at Biffa:
- Competitive salary.
- Ongoing career development, training and coaching – because if you don’t grow, we don’t grow.
- Generous pension scheme.
- Retail and leisure discounts.
- Holiday and travel discounts.
- Bike to work scheme.
Changing the way people think about waste. At Biffa, we love working with waste. Whether we’re turning it into sustainable power, finding new ways to recycle it or simply keeping it off the streets, we believe every day is an opportunity to improve the lives of millions.
Dedicated to diversity. Being inclusive is core to our culture at Biffa; we believe different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds are key to developing a creative and effective working environment that represents our communities and generates the best outcomes for colleagues, customers and stakeholders, which is why you’ll find us championing diversity, equity and inclusion at every turn.
Operations Manager employer: Biffa
Contact Detail:
Biffa Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current Biffa employees on LinkedIn. You never know who might give you a heads-up about an opportunity or refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Biffa’s operations and values. Understand their approach to waste management and think of examples from your experience that align with their goals. This will show you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially around managing teams and KPIs. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your achievements effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and serious about joining the Biffa team.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Manager role. Highlight your operational management experience and any relevant achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how your skills can help us manage our depot effectively!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about the waste management industry and how your experience makes you the perfect fit for Biffa. We love seeing enthusiasm and a personal touch!
Showcase Your KPIs Knowledge: Since KPIs are a big part of this role, make sure to mention your experience with them in your application. We want to know how you've successfully managed performance metrics in the past and how you plan to do it with us!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Biffa!
How to prepare for a job interview at Biffa
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you understand the key operations of the depot and how they align with Biffa's goals. Familiarise yourself with their KPIs and think about how your past experiences can demonstrate your ability to manage similar operations effectively.
✨Showcase Your People Management Skills
Since this role involves leading a traffic dispatch team, be prepared to discuss your experience in managing teams, especially in a unionised environment. Share specific examples of how you've handled underperformance or developed team members, as this will highlight your leadership capabilities.
✨Demonstrate Your Commercial Awareness
Biffa values candidates who understand P&L management and cost control. Be ready to talk about how you've maximised profitability in previous roles. Use concrete figures or outcomes to illustrate your success in managing budgets and resources efficiently.
✨Emphasise Health & Safety Compliance
Health and safety is crucial in this role, so brush up on relevant regulations and best practices. Prepare to discuss how you've ensured compliance in past positions, including any training or systems you've implemented to maintain a safe working environment.