- Location
- Gateshead
- Type
- Full-time
- Department
- Operations
- Seniority
- Manager
- Source
- Pinpoint
Description
Operations Manager
Application Deadline: 1 September 2026
Department: Operations
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Gateshead
Description
This role is built for a leader who develops people first – someone who sets standards, builds capability, drives accountability and creates a culture where safety, performance and continuous improvement are embedded in everyday behaviours.
This is a hands-on leadership role with significant influence over operational culture, team development and long-term performance.
Key Responsibilities
• Build a high-performing, engaged and accountable operational team.
• Coach, mentor and develop colleagues through structured development plans and regular feedback.
• Set clear expectations, role clarity and behavioural standards.
• Lead with visibility, consistency and credibility – modelling the behaviours expected across the site.
• Create a culture of ownership, teamwork and continuous improvement.
Safety Leadership
• Champion a safety-first mindset, ensuring all activities meet H&S legislation and internal standards.
• Lead risk assessments, safe systems of work, incident investigations and behavioural safety conversations.
• Embed proactive safety behaviours and structured safety routines across the team.
Operational Leadership
• Own day-to-day operational delivery across treatment, processing and transfer activities.
• Ensure throughput, quality, compliance and service levels are consistently achieved.
• Maintain structured operational control through visual management, standardized work and clear escalation processes.
• Drive stability, discipline and clarity in daily operations.
Performance and Accountability
• Deliver operational KPI’s including safety, compliance, productivity, cost control and team development.
• Use structured performance management to instill accountability and support colleagues to meet expectations.
• Ensure consistent adherence to procedures, standards and operational routines.
Continuous Improvement
• Embed CI methodologies (Kaizen, root cause analysis) to improve productivity, quality and cost.
• Lead improvement projects focused on safety, process stability, equipment reliability and operational efficiency.
• Implement workplace organization standards to elevate operational performance.
Stakeholder Collaboration
• Build strong relationships with internal teams including H&S, Compliance, Transport, and Commercial.
• Work collaboratively with external partners, contractors and regulators.
• Communicate clearly and proactively across all levels of the organization.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
• Proven leadership experience in operational environments.
• Strong people development capability – coaching, mentoring, performance management.
• Demonstrate experience leading safety in a high risk or regulated setting.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to apply CI methodologies.
• Highly organized, structured and able to prioritise effectively.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Hands on leadership style.
Desirable:
• NEBOSH General Certificate
• Experience in hazardous waste, waste treatment or similar regulated environments.
• Behavioural safety or culture change expertise.
• Degree qualification or equivalent.
• COTC (Hazardous Waste Transfer and Treatment.
Why Work For Enva?
Examples of Company Benefits:
- A competitive salary in a growing company committed to our people.
- Competitive holiday allowance.
- Company pension scheme.
- Enhanced family friendly policies.
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
- Lifestyle & leisure discounts (gym, cinema, shopping, and more).
- Employee life insurance.
- Bike2Work scheme.
- Free on-site parking.
- Holiday Purchase Scheme.