Operations Manager – Waste Logistics & Fleet Operations

Operations Manager – Waste Logistics & Fleet Operations Reporting to: Regional General Manager Location: Leeds and Quarrington – regional travel required

The Role

We are looking for an experienced Operations Manager to lead our regional waste logistics and fleet operations across Leeds and Quarrington. You will take responsibility for the safe, compliant and efficient operation of a large articulated fleet, using both company-owned vehicles and subcontracted hauliers to meet customer demand. The operation includes multiple operating centres, more than 100 employees and drivers, and a substantial fleet of artic units, walking-floor trailers and associated transport assets. This is a hands-on leadership role with significant responsibility for transport compliance, health and safety, service performance and cost control. You will ensure the operation meets its Operator Licence obligations while improving fleet utilisation, productivity and financial performance. What You’ll Be Doing As Operations Manager, you will:

• Lead day-to-day logistics and transport operations across Leeds and Quarrington.
• Plan drivers, vehicles and subcontracted resources against operational and customer demand.
• Maintain full compliance with Operator Licence undertakings, DVSA requirements, drivers’ hours, Working Time Regulations and tachograph legislation.
• Manage articulated vehicles, walking-floor trailers and associated transport assets.
• Maximise vehicle availability and utilisation through effective planning and close coordination with fleet and workshop teams.
• Monitor service delivery, fuel performance, telematics, driver standards and transport costs.
• Manage a network of approved subcontracted hauliers, ensuring they meet all legal, insurance, waste carrier, safety and compliance requirements.
• Review subcontractor performance, spend and service levels while maintaining suitable contingency arrangements.
• Lead transport, vehicle and safety incident investigations, ensuring corrective actions are completed.
• Maintain fleet inspection, maintenance and compliance schedules.
• Lead internal and external audits across transport, safety and environmental compliance.
• Conduct site inspections, operational audits and behavioural safety observations.
• Ensure appropriate risk assessments, safe systems of work and operating procedures are in place.
• Lead and develop a large operational team, creating clear accountability for safety, service and performance.
• Manage operational budgets covering labour, fuel, subcontractors, fleet and maintenance.
• Identify opportunities to reduce cost, improve productivity and strengthen profitability.
• Support contract mobilisation, customer retention and wider business growth. What We’re Looking For You will need:
• Proven experience leading a large-scale logistics or transport operation.
• Experience managing articulated vehicle fleets in a regulated environment.
• Strong knowledge of Operator Licence obligations and transport compliance.
• Multi-site operational management experience.
• Experience managing subcontracted haulage providers.
• Responsibility for operational budgets, cost control and P&L performance.
• A track record of improving safety, compliance, service and productivity.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• A practical, hands-on approach supported by sound commercial judgement.
• A National Transport Manager CPC qualification and a full UK driving licence. An IOSH Managing Safely qualification would be advantageous. How Success Will Be Measured Your performance will be measured through: Health and safety performance. Operator Licence and fleet compliance. Vehicle availability and utilisation. Resource planning and service delivery. Driver engagement and retention. Subcontractor performance and compliance. Fuel efficiency and transport cost control. Audit outcomes and corrective-action completion. Budget and EBITDA performance. Customer and stakeholder satisfaction. We are Panda. We value waste. Join us and lead a complex regional logistics operation where safety, compliance and commercial performance carry equal weight