Operational Excellence Manager – South

Remote from: UK
Annual salary: Undisclosed
Salary information is not provided for this position. Check our Salary Directory to estimate the average compensation for similar roles.
Department: Product & Operations
Employment type: Full Time,
Job posted: 2 Jun 2026
Apply before: 2 Jul 2026
Experience level: Senior
Views / Applies: 36 / 4

Leading the way in sustainable waste management creating solutions for the UK that enable the circular economy.

Environmental Services
1912

AI Summary

The Operational Excellence Manager - South at Biffa drives process improvement and efficiency across Industrial & Commercial depots. The role aligns initiatives with strategy, standardizes procedures, and oversees compliance audits. It requires regular travel and occasional overnight stays. The ideal candidate has waste management experience, a Level 4 COTC, and strong leadership skills. This position offers a chance to impact sustainability in a leading waste management company.

Role DNA

Job Complexity

Easy Hard

Pace & Pressure

Relaxed Fast-paced

Autonomy Level

Guided Full Ownership

Communication Load

Independent Highly Collaborative

AI Insight The role requires extensive experience, strategic thinking, and waste management expertise (including COTC), making it challenging but not the highest level.

Salary Analysis

AI Insight The salary range for this role in the US market is typically $90,000-$140,000 annually. Since the job listing doesn't provide specific salary data, the median is estimated at $115,000, which is competitive for a senior operational role in the waste management industry.

Key Skills

Operational Excellence Continuous Improvement Waste Management Process Improvement Change Management Performance Metrics Compliance Audits Leadership Strategic Planning COTC

Cover Letter Sample

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my interest in the Operational Excellence Manager - South position at Biffa. With a degree in [Your Field] and over [X] years of experience in waste management, I have a proven track record of driving operational improvements and implementing strategic initiatives that enhance efficiency and reduce costs. My expertise includes standardizing procedures, leading cross-functional teams, and ensuring compliance with H&S regulations.

I hold a valid Level 4 COTC in Waste Management and have successfully managed continuous improvement projects across multiple depots. I am confident that my leadership skills and data-driven approach align perfectly with Biffa's goals. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to your team and help shape the future of sustainable waste management.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Possible Interview Questions

Can you describe your experience with driving continuous improvement in a waste management or logistics environment?

I have led multiple Lean Six Sigma projects that reduced operational costs by 15% and improved efficiency. For example, I standardized sorting procedures across three depots, resulting in a 20% increase in throughput.

How do you approach change management when implementing new processes in underperforming depots?

I start by assessing the current state, engaging frontline staff to understand pain points, and then communicate the benefits clearly. I use a phased rollout with training and regular feedback loops to ensure buy-in and adoption.

What metrics do you consider most important for monitoring operational performance in transfer stations?

Key metrics include throughput per hour, downtime, safety incident rate, customer satisfaction scores, and cost per ton. I use dashboards to track these and identify areas for improvement.

Can you provide an example of a successful strategic initiative you implemented that aligned with business goals?

I led a project to implement a new routing optimization system that reduced fuel costs by 12% and improved on-time delivery by 10%. This aligned with the company's goal of reducing operational expenses and enhancing customer service.

How do you ensure compliance with H&S and environmental regulations across multiple depots?

I conduct regular audits, provide ongoing training, and establish clear standard operating procedures. I also use a compliance dashboard to track incidents and ensure corrective actions are implemented promptly.

A quick look at the role

The Operational Excellence Manager – Transfer Stations is responsible for driving operational and process improvement initiatives to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction, while supporting the implementation of strategy and best practices across Biffa’s Industrial & Commercial depots across the South. This role requires regular travel and occasional overnight stays.

Your core responsibilities

Align operational excellence initiatives with the overall business strategy and goals.
Standardise operating procedures across all depots.

Develop and ensure delivery training on new processes and identifying improvement opportunities.
Oversee audits and assessments to ensure compliance, identifying gaps and opportunities and overseeing improvement plans.
Ensure targeted support is in place for underperforming depots while driving continuous improvement.
Monitor and adjust the effectiveness of new initiatives and processes.
Establish performance metrics and dashboards for operational monitoring.
Facilitate change management and ensure compliance with regulations and standards.

Our essential requirements

Qualified and Experienced Leader: Holds a degree or equivalent qualifications with proven line management experience and a track record of driving continuous business improvement.
Strategic and Results-Oriented: Demonstrable success in implementing growth and improvement strategies to maximize efficiency and productivity, supported by strong analytical and data skills.
Effective Communicator and Manager: An accomplished presenter with excellent people management abilities, fostering high-performance teams and maintaining professional standards.
Knowledgeable and Resilient Professional: Deep understanding of logistical, environmental and H&S legislation, highly motivated, resilient, and committed to delivering excellence.
Industry Expertise: Must have waste management experience and hold a valid Level 4 COTC (Certificate of Technical Competence) in Waste Management.

Biffa – we’re 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. It’s a view that’s shared by our 11,000+ people around the country, who trust us to provide them with a career that’s always rewarding, often challenging, but never dull.

We believe different ideas, perspective and backgrounds are key to developing a creative and effective working environment which is why you’ll find us championing diversity and equality at every turn.

Apply now >