Transport Compliance & Operations Manager – Waste Management

Location: Rainham, Essex

Salary: £38,000 + bonus (details to be confirmed at interview)

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent | On-site

The Opportunity

We are recruiting a Transport Compliance & Operations Manager to join an established environmental services business based in Rainham, Essex.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced transport or operations professional with a strong background in fleet compliance, health and safety, and team management.

Working closely with the Depot Manager, you will play a key role in ensuring the transport operation runs safely, efficiently and in line with relevant regulations and compliance requirements. You'll take responsibility for maintaining high standards across the fleet, supporting and managing drivers, overseeing compliance procedures and helping to keep the day-to-day operation running smoothly.

We're looking for someone who takes ownership, understands the importance of getting compliance right and has the confidence to manage people, make decisions and resolve operational issues in a busy environment.

About the Business

The company provides waste management and environmental services across London, Essex and the surrounding areas. Its services include portable toilet and welfare unit hire, waste removal, tank emptying and other specialist environmental services, supporting customers across construction, events, hospitality and related sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Transport & Fleet Compliance: Oversee vehicle checks, defect reporting, maintenance records and transport documentation, ensuring procedures are followed and records remain accurate and up to date.
• Driver Management: Supervise and support drivers, ensuring they follow company procedures, comply with relevant regulations and maintain high standards of safety and professionalism.
• Team Leadership: Manage and coordinate operational staff, set priorities, address performance issues and promote accountability across the team.
• Health & Safety: Maintain safe working practices across the depot and transport operation, identifying risks, addressing concerns and ensuring appropriate action is taken.
• Compliance Monitoring: Monitor compliance records, identify potential issues, ensure corrective actions are completed and escalate concerns where necessary.
• Fleet Maintenance: Coordinate vehicle servicing, inspections and repairs, ensuring reported defects are followed up and vehicles are safe for use.
• Transport Operations: Coordinate daily vehicle movements, driver schedules and job allocations, adapting plans to meet changing operational demands.
• Operational Problem Solving: Resolve day-to-day challenges, manage unexpected disruptions and ensure customer commitments are met wherever possible.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve compliance, efficiency, safety and operational processes.

About You

You'll be an organised, proactive and hands-on manager who combines strong leadership skills with a solid understanding of transport operations and fleet compliance.

Ideally, you will have:

• Previous experience in transport, fleet, logistics or depot operations.
• Strong knowledge of transport compliance, vehicle safety and relevant regulations.
• Experience overseeing vehicle inspections, defect reporting, maintenance records and compliance documentation.
• A good understanding of health and safety within a transport or operational environment.
• Proven experience managing or supervising drivers and operational teams.
• The confidence to address non-compliance, challenge unsafe practices and ensure procedures are followed.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands in a fast-paced environment.
• Good communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound decisions under pressure.
• Confidence using IT systems to maintain accurate records and reports.
• A full, valid UK driving licence.

Experience in waste management, plant hire, drainage, construction services, vehicle hire or a similar operational environment would be advantageous.

An HGV licence or relevant CPC qualification would also be beneficial.

What's on Offer?

• £38,000 basic salary.
• Bonus opportunities, with further details confirmed during the interview process.
• A full-time, permanent position.
• The opportunity to take ownership of an important compliance and operational function.
• A varied, hands-on role within an established environmental services business.

Interested?

If you have the transport compliance knowledge and management experience to help keep a busy operation safe, compliant and running efficiently, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today to find out more.