At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage multi-depot operations, driving performance and growth.
- Company: Join Panda, a growing business with a focus on operational excellence.
- Benefits: Influence operational performance and enjoy a key leadership role.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a visible impact across multiple sites and lead high-performing teams.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in senior operational leadership and strong commercial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
At Panda, we’re continuing to grow and evolve our operations. We are looking for a commercially strong, operationally focused General Manager to lead a multi‑depot operation and help shape the next stage of our business. This senior leadership role has full accountability for operational performance, commercial delivery, compliance, service, and strategic development across multiple sites. You will lead depot teams across trade waste, skip, RoRo and artic operations, driving consistency, performance, growth and accountability.
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage multi‑depot operations across trade waste, skip, RoRo and artic services.
- Take full ownership of depot‑level and combined P&L performance, including revenue growth, cost control and margin improvement.
- Drive operational performance through clear KPIs across service, cost, compliance, safety and customer satisfaction.
- Work closely with sales teams to ensure operational capability supports business growth and contract delivery.
- Develop and implement operational strategies that improve efficiency, utilisation and service delivery.
- Lead the transformation of depots into a more standardised, branded and commercially focused operating model.
- Ensure consistent standards across all sites in relation to safety, compliance, service, presentation and customer experience.
- Provide strong leadership to depot managers and operational teams, setting clear expectations and driving accountability.
- Build high‑performing teams through structured management, coaching, succession planning and continuous development.
- Ensure full compliance with Operator Licence requirements, transport legislation, Working Time Directive and wider regulatory standards.
- Act as, or oversee, Transport Manager responsibilities across relevant licences where required.
- Oversee fleet strategy, asset utilisation and fleet demand planning against operational and budget requirements.
- Identify cost efficiencies and lead continuous improvement activity across the operational cost base.
- Take ownership of major operational issues, escalations and service recovery.
- Lead mobilisation planning for new contracts, ensuring operational readiness and commercial viability.
Qualifications
- Proven experience in a senior operational leadership role within transport, logistics, waste management or a similar environment.
- Experience managing multiple sites and leading through depot managers or layered management structures.
- Strong track record of owning and delivering against P&L targets.
- Experience across skip, RoRo, trade waste and artic services would be highly desirable.
- Strong commercial acumen with a focus on growth, margin, cost control and customer service.
- Experience leading operational change, transformation or improvement programmes.
- The ability to align sales and operations to support commercial growth and service delivery.
- Strong people leadership skills, with the ability to develop, challenge and hold management teams accountable.
- Strong knowledge of transport compliance, fleet operations and operational risk.
- Confident decision‑making ability in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure environment.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- High levels of resilience, ownership and accountability.
Essential Requirements
- Transport Manager CPC.
- Willingness to be named on the company Operator’s Licence, if required.
- Waste management, transport or logistics industry experience.
- Full UK Driving Licence.
- Strong knowledge of transport legislation, Working Time Directive and compliance requirements.
- Strong understanding of Health & Safety within a transport, logistics or waste environment.
Desirable
- IOSH or similar Health & Safety qualification.
- First Aid training.
- ADR awareness.
- Experience leading operational standardisation, branding or depot transformation programmes.
Why Join Panda
This is a key leadership opportunity within a growing business where you will have real influence over operational performance, commercial delivery and the future shape of our depot network. For someone who enjoys leading people, improving performance and building scalable operations, this General Manager role offers the chance to make a visible impact across multiple sites.
General Manager in Leeds employer: Greenstar
At Panda, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that fosters a dynamic and supportive work culture. As a General Manager, you will have the opportunity to lead a multi-depot operation in a growing business, with a strong focus on employee development and performance improvement. Our commitment to operational excellence and compliance, combined with a collaborative environment, ensures that you can make a meaningful impact while enjoying competitive benefits and career growth opportunities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land General Manager in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy to reach out to current employees at Panda. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Panda’s operations and values. Understand their multi-depot model and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. We want to see you shine, so practice answering common interview questions and have some insightful questions ready for them too!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! When discussing your past experiences, highlight specific examples where you’ve led teams or improved operational performance. We love to see candidates who can demonstrate accountability and drive results, especially in a fast-paced environment.
✨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 genuinely interested in joining Panda and being part of our exciting journey in the waste management sector.
We think you need these skills to ace General Manager in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the General Manager role. Highlight your operational leadership experience, especially in transport or waste management, and don’t forget to showcase your P&L achievements!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for Panda. Talk about your experience with multi-depot operations and how you’ve driven performance and growth in previous roles.
Showcase Your Leadership Style:In your application, give us a glimpse of your leadership style. We want to know how you build high-performing teams and drive accountability. Share examples of how you've developed and coached your teams in the past.
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 this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Greenstar
✨Know Your Numbers
As a General Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of P&L performance. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've driven revenue growth and cost control in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your approach to leading teams, especially in a multi-depot environment. Think of examples where you've built high-performing teams or transformed operations, and be ready to share how you set clear expectations and drive accountability.
✨Understand the Compliance Landscape
Familiarise yourself with transport legislation, health and safety standards, and compliance requirements relevant to the waste management and logistics sectors. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured compliance in past roles and how you would maintain it across multiple sites.
✨Align Operations with Sales
Since this role involves working closely with sales teams, think about how you've previously aligned operational capabilities with business growth. Prepare to discuss strategies you've implemented that supported contract delivery and improved customer satisfaction.
