Recycling and Waste Supervisor

About The Role

As a Recycling and Waste Supervisor, you will play a key role in the operational delivery of Reading’s waste and recycling services. You will manage and support a large frontline workforce, ensuring services are delivered safely, efficiently, and to a high standard for residents and businesses across the borough. Working closely with the Recycling and Waste Senior Operations Officer, you will supervise day‑to‑day operations including domestic refuse, recycling, food waste, bulky collections, and trade waste services.

You will also support service improvement initiatives, staff development, health and safety compliance, and operational planning.

• Supervise and coordinate day‑to‑day recycling and waste collection operations
• Lead, motivate, and manage a frontline workforce of approximately 70–80 staff
• Ensure staffing resources are effectively allocated to maintain service continuity
• Monitor performance, attendance, training, and health & safety compliance
• Conduct return‑to‑work meetings, appraisals, toolbox talks, and team briefings
• Support investigations, incident reporting, and implementation of safe working practices
• Assist with service improvement projects and operational efficiencies
• Work collaboratively with internal departments, contractors, and external partners
• Support customer service responses, enquiries, and operational problem‑solving
• Deputise for senior operational management when required

You will be an experienced and confident supervisor with a strong track record of managing frontline operational teams in a fast‑paced environment. You will have excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to motivate staff, manage performance, and maintain high standards of service delivery. A strong understanding of health and safety, operational compliance, and resource planning is essential, along with the ability to problem‑solve and make effective decisions under pressure.

You will be organised, adaptable, and customer‑focused, with experience of working collaboratively across teams and dealing professionally with members of the public and stakeholders. Experience with in waste, recycling, environmental, logistics, or similar operational services would be highly advantageous, alongside knowledge of relevant legislation and a commitment to continuous service improvement.

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays, rising to 30 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years’ service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at 19 Bennet Road, Reading
• Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On‑site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan – a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax