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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead route planning and demand forecasting to optimise service delivery across Europe.
- Company: Safetykleen is a top provider of environmental services, operating in 14 countries with over 50,000 clients.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 30 days holiday, private healthcare, and career development support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on operations while growing your skills in a dynamic, collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in operations, strong analytical skills, and familiarity with route optimisation tools required.
- Other info: Join a company committed to sustainability and operational excellence in a newly created role.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
The Opportunity
Are you passionate about transforming data into operational excellence? Are you ready to drive strategic planning across a pan-European network delivering over a million services annually to industrial customers? We are looking for a Route Optimisation & Demand / Forecasting Manager to join our Group team, working directly under the leadership of our Chief Service & Operations Officer Team. This is a newly created, high-impact role, central to shaping how we plan and deliver service operations across the UK and Europe.
You will be at the forefront of a transformation to standardise and elevate our planning methodology across countries. From integrating route optimisation software to building data-driven forecasting models, you will ensure our services are executed flawlessly, with maximum efficiency and sustainability.
About You
You are an experienced operations or planning professional with a strong analytical mindset and the confidence to work across countries, cultures, and functions. You bring a strategic view of route planning and forecasting and thrive on turning data into decisions that drive measurable improvements. You’re ready to lead a cross-market planning evolution - shaping standards, aligning stakeholders, and embedding best practices across local teams. You have experience with route optimisation tools, demand forecasting, and operational performance metrics, and you’re fluent in translating complex insights into clear actions. You are collaborative, solutions-focused, and motivated by the opportunity to make a significant impact on how a major European business operates day-to-day. You’re ready for a role that offers professional growth, global exposure, and the chance to make a tangible impact.
About Us
Safetykleen is a leading provider of Parts Cleaning, Waste Collection and Environmental Advisory services to businesses across Europe. Safetykleen employs over 2,000 people and serves over 50,000 businesses in 14 countries. We deliver over 1 million services per year through our unparalleled branch network. Our headquarters are based in London, and we are backed by Apax, a leading Private Equity firm. We are built on a strong business model, winning culture, and always putting the customer at the heart of everything we do. We have big ambitions with a strong strategy to succeed, all whilst making the planet Safer and Kleener.
The Package
- Competitive salary (based on experience and market).
- 30 days holiday plus Bank Holidays.
- 5% Contributory Pension scheme.
- Family Life Assurance – 3x salary.
- Private healthcare from Day 1.
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Career development support and structured learning programs.
- Employee recognition and wellbeing initiatives.
- Corporate discount schemes including gym membership and lifestyle benefits.
- Tastecard membership and cashback offers.
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Program.
Into the detail - Key Responsibilities
- Planning Standardisation & Operational Optimisation
- Lead the development and rollout of a standard route planning methodology across all markets, ensuring consistency and scalability in service delivery.
- Champion the adoption and embedding of route optimisation software, aligning tool capabilities with real-world operational needs.
- Identify and share best practices across countries, supporting local teams in applying data-driven decision-making to improve route efficiency, service accuracy, and capacity planning.
- Translate service data into actionable changes that reduce travel time, cut fuel consumption, and eliminate inefficient or failed visits.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Change Leadership
- Act as a key change agent, building engagement across regional operations and planning teams to embed a culture of continuous improvement.
- Work closely with Country Managers, Planning Teams, Branch Managers, and Analysts to align local actions with Group strategy.
- Provide structured updates, business cases, and recommendations to senior stakeholders to support decision-making and investment prioritisation.
- Data-Led Insights & Forecasting
- Drive the design of forecasting models to predict service demand based on historic trends, seasonality, customer contracts, and route constraints.
- Partner with the Group Reporting & Analytics team to build dashboards and tools that provide deeper insights into route performance, capacity utilisation, and service adherence.
- Ensure that data integrity is maintained across systems and that any inconsistencies are addressed proactively with IT and data teams.
- Performance Monitoring & Reporting
- Define and track key performance indicators for planning efficiency, service delivery accuracy, route productivity, and fuel efficiency.
- Design and deliver regular performance reviews and deep-dive analysis into trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
- Automate routine reports and build Power BI dashboards to provide real-time visibility of planning and service performance at all levels of the organisation.
Ready to Lead a Smarter Future?
This role is a unique opportunity to drive group-wide transformation in how we plan, forecast, and deliver our services. If you’re ready to shape the operational backbone of a leading European environmental business, we’d love to hear from you.
Route Optimisation and Demand Forecasting Manager employer: Safetykleen
Contact Detail:
Safetykleen Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Route Optimisation and Demand Forecasting Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest route optimisation software and demand forecasting tools. Being well-versed in these technologies will not only boost your confidence during discussions but also demonstrate your proactive approach to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the operations and planning sectors, especially those who have experience in cross-market environments. Engaging with industry peers can provide valuable insights and may even lead to referrals or recommendations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've used data to drive operational improvements in previous roles. Highlighting measurable outcomes will showcase your analytical mindset and ability to translate data into actionable strategies.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on industry trends related to sustainability and efficiency in service delivery. Showing that you are knowledgeable about current challenges and innovations in the field will position you as a forward-thinking candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Route Optimisation and Demand Forecasting Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in operations, planning, and data analysis. Emphasise your familiarity with route optimisation tools and demand forecasting, as these are key aspects of the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for transforming data into operational excellence. Discuss specific examples of how you've successfully implemented planning methodologies or optimised processes in previous roles.
Showcase Analytical Skills: Provide concrete examples of how you've used data to drive decisions and improvements in service delivery. Highlight any experience you have with building forecasting models or using analytics tools like Power BI.
Demonstrate Stakeholder Engagement: Illustrate your ability to work collaboratively across teams and cultures. Mention instances where you've engaged stakeholders to align strategies or implement changes, showcasing your leadership and communication skills.
How to prepare for a job interview at Safetykleen
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
As a Route Optimisation and Demand Forecasting Manager, your analytical mindset is crucial. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. Highlight any tools or methodologies you've employed to optimise routes or forecast demand.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Engagement Experience
This role requires collaboration across various teams and countries. Share experiences where you've successfully engaged stakeholders to implement changes or improvements. Discuss how you built relationships and aligned local actions with broader strategic goals.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. Prepare to discuss how you would approach challenges related to route planning and forecasting, such as unexpected demand spikes or operational inefficiencies.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement Mindset
The company values a culture of continuous improvement. Be ready to talk about how you've identified areas for enhancement in past roles and the steps you took to implement those changes. Show your passion for driving operational excellence.
