Partner Manager

About us

At Exchange for Change, we are building something the UK has never had before. Working across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, we are designing and delivering a Deposit Return Scheme from the ground up, creating a system that helps reduce litter and waste by encouraging people to return their empty drinks bottles and cans for recycling.

We are industry led, and driven by purpose. A national movement with a clear mission. No bottle unreturned. No can left behind.

This is not just another job. This is a rare opportunity to do meaningful work, shape a landmark national programme, and help deliver lasting positive impact for people, businesses and the planet alike.

The role will act as the primary operational interface between the Scheme Administrator and its regional logistics, collection, counting and warehousing partners, ensuring suppliers consistently deliver safe, compliant, cost-effective, and high-quality services.

A key aspect of the role will be supporting the mobilisation, implementation, and successful go‑live of the Deposit Return Scheme. Working closely with suppliers, retailers, producers and internal stakeholders, the Partner Performance Manager will play a critical role in ensuring operational readiness, resolving implementation challenges, and supporting the successful launch of the scheme.

Following go‑live, the role will focus on supplier performance management, operational governance, continuous improvement, and delivery of strategic operational programmes that enhance service, efficiency, and sustainability.

• Act as the primary relationship owner for designated regional service providers.
• Develop strong collaborative relationships that drive performance, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct regular supplier performance reviews and governance meetings.
• Ensure suppliers understand and deliver against operational requirements and contractual obligations.
• Manage escalations and coordinate resolution of operational issues impacting service delivery.

• Monitor supplier performance against agreed KPIs, SLAs, and contractual targets.
• Review operational data to identify risks, trends, opportunities, and areas requiring intervention.
• Challenge underperformance and develop recovery plans where required.
• Ensure operational performance supports scheme objectives relating to service, cost, compliance, and customer experience.
• Conduct regular site visits and operational reviews across supplier locations.

• Support the implementation and mobilisation of the Deposit Return Scheme within the region.
• Coordinate readiness activities with logistics providers, counting centres, technology providers, and retailers.
• Track critical mobilisation milestones and elevate risks where appropriate.
• Support testing, trial activities, operational rehearsals, and launch preparations.
• Ensure suppliers have the required resources, infrastructure, processes, and capabilities in place for scheme launch.
• Act as a regional lead during go‑live activities, providing operational oversight and rapid issue resolution.

• Lead and support regional operational improvement initiatives.
• Deliver programmes aimed at improving service performance, operational efficiency, sustainability, and cost reduction.
• Identify opportunities to optimise logistics networks, collection frequencies, transport utilisation, and processing capacity.
• Support implementation of new operational processes, systems, and technologies.
• Work cross‑functionally to ensure operational programmes align with overall scheme objectives.

• Build effective…