Waste Contracts Lead Officer

Overview

We are looking for an experienced Lead Contracts Officer to join Buckinghamshire Council’s Strategic Waste Management & Enforcement team. This is an excellent opportunity to play a key role in the delivery of our major waste contracts. We are a strong, collaborative team with a can‑do attitude and an ethos of continual improvement, where enhancing the environment is central to everything we do.

You will bring a proven track record of contract management, relationship building with external partners, and experience of commissioning activity including public procurement. Knowledge of the waste industry is highly beneficial to help maximise outcomes and performance across our waste treatment and disposal contracts.

The Communities Directorate sits at the heart of the organisation, and this role within Neighbourhood Services is fast‑paced, varied and highly rewarding. It is an exciting time to join us as we respond to national legislative changes and shape future service delivery.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. 

We are proud to serve a diverse and growing county, and we are driven by our commitment to deliver high‑quality, sustainable services that make a real difference to our communities. Our teams work collaboratively across the organisation to tackle local challenges, support environmental ambitions, and shape long‑term improvements in waste and recycling services. With a focus on innovation, continuous improvement and responsible resource management, Buckinghamshire Council provides a supportive environment where skilled professionals can make a meaningful impact.

About the role

As part of the Waste Contracts team, you will take a lead role in managing the performance of one or more of the Council’s key waste treatment and disposal contracts. This may include the high‑profile Energy from Waste contract, the customer‑facing Household Recycling Centre contract, or the Green, Food, Bulky and Wood Waste contract.

You will also manage a range of smaller contracts to support value for money and positive environmental outcomes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing expert advice to stakeholders including colleagues, contractors, senior officers, Members and customers
• Overseeing contract budgets exceeding £2 million per year
• Monitoring performance, analysing data and ensuring compliance with KPIs and contractual obligations
• Supporting option appraisals, reviewing contracts and contributing to strategies and service planning
• Preparing for and implementing new legislative requirements such as Simpler Recycling Regulations
• Supporting delivery of programmes and capital projects across Waste Services

Any‑Desk Working

As an any‑desk worker, you will need to be connected to our network to access digital systems and resources. This can be done from home or an office location. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on team needs.

About you

The ideal candidate will:

• Have substantial experience in waste management and/or contract management
• Understand waste legislation, service standards and the importance of delivering reliable services
• Be confident in analysing performance data, identifying risks and driving improvements
• Build strong working relationships with contractors, internal teams and senior officers
• Prepare clear reports, recommendations and contract documentation
• Be organised, proactive and able to manage competing priorities
• Be committed to supporting environmental goals, increasing recycling and reducing waste

Other information

Please also note that access to your own vehicle is an essential requirement for the role as there will be a need to travel across the county to various sites.

Closing date: 16^th March 2026 (Midnight)

Interview date: 25^th March 2026

Interviews will be via be in person at our Gateway Offices in Aylesbury.

To apply for this role, please click the apply now button.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Andrew Jenkins, Waste Contracts Team Leader, [email protected]

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While we welcome innovation, we expect all submissions to reflect your own experience, skills, and achievements accurately. Please ensure your application is truthful and demonstrates your personal capabilities, as this will be assessed during the selection process.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Communities directorate works across the county to deliver a number of the key customer-facing services that our residents, businesses and visitors rely on every day. 

This directorate includes a wide range of services, including:

• collecting and disposing of waste and recycling
• maintaining our roads and Rights of Way network and parking
• ensuring the delivery of school transport, and supporting sustainable travel including public bus services and School Crossing Patrollers
• managing Country Parks
• leisure facilities, museums, theatres and libraries, as well as developing our Cultural Strategy
• Licensing, Environmental Health and Trading Standards
• Cemeteries and Crematoria

The customer is central to how we develop and deliver all of these services, which help promote our rich and vibrant culture and special environment. 

We are looking for enthusiastic, ambitious and committed individuals to join our team and help us to continue to make Buckinghamshire a great place to live, work and visit. This is an exciting time for us as we bring together the services previously run by five separate councils before Buckinghamshire Council was created. Whilst making major changes to contracts affecting residents across Bucks, we continue to focus on delivering great customer service. You will join us on our journey of continuous improvement - whether that’s through developing strategies and ways of working or delivering services on the ground, every person in Communities is a valued member of the team.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/