Waste Collection Technical Manager

Overview

We’re seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Waste Collection Technical Manager to play a crucial role in shaping the future of waste and street scene services across Buckinghamshire. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the technical direction of a major Waste Collection Procurement Programme, ensuring high‑quality, efficient and innovative services for residents.

Salary PTMG1 between £75,508 to £79,283 depending on experience

About us

Neighbourhood Services sits within the Communities Directorate, delivering essential frontline services that directly impact residents’ day‑to‑day lives. Our ambition is to provide modern, efficient and customer‑focused services that support thriving communities across the county. As we prepare for a transformational procurement and mobilisation programme, this role offers the opportunity to help shape the Council’s strategic direction.

About the role

The post holder will provide expert direction, insight and governance for the Waste Collection Procurement Programme (WCPP), supporting the design, procurement and mobilisation of a new county-wide waste collection contract. Reporting to the Head of Waste Collection Programme, you will lead technical development, ensure compliance with legislation and best practice, and manage complex stakeholder relationships across the organisation and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the technical waste aspects of the WCPP, ensuring delivery of required outcomes and high standards.
• Provide expert professional advice on waste collection operations, legislation, and strategic issues to senior managers, Members and programme boards.
• Develop and implement policies, systems, contracts, governance frameworks and performance standards for the new service.
• Lead, motivate and support staff within the programme, including matrix‑managed teams and external specialists, and deputising for the Head of Waste Collection Programme.
• Develop and oversee risk management, business continuity planning, and compliance monitoring.
• Manage and sponsor major projects within the programme, including the transition and mobilisation phases of the new contract.
• Build effective relationships with internal stakeholders, external advisors, partners and contractors, representing the Council at high‑profile events.
• Ensure robust financial planning and management, delivering efficiencies and strong value for money.
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation, and service excellence across all areas of responsibility.
• Oversee the development of performance management frameworks to monitor progress against service and programme objectives.

About you

You will have significant experience leading and developing a major waste service in a large, multi-disciplined organisation, with the credibility to operate effectively in a political and high-profile environment.

• Demonstrable experience leading complex waste management services/projects, including contract management of waste collection services.
• Proven track record of delivering major organisational change, major projects and policy development.
• Strong leadership capability, including leading diverse teams, building a multi-disciplinary approach, coaching others and managing performance in a front-line service environment.
• Extensive technical knowledge of waste collection/waste management, including requirements, systems, procedures and key service issues, alongside detailed knowledge of relevant legislation and policy (e.g. Environment Act; Procurement Act 2023) and contract management principles.
• Strong understanding of local government and wider sector influences, including the legal, financial and political context relevant to waste services.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with experience working at senior level (including with Heads of Service, Service Directors, Corporate Directors and Cabinet Members).
• Strong financial and analytical skills, with the ability to set a clear vision/strategy, manage significant risks, and identify improvement, efficiency and income opportunities.

Other information

For further information on this role please see the attached job summary.

The role will require agile / flexible working from our Council offices in Aylesbury and High Wycombe, as well as working from home. As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. As a team we encourage hybrid working, and you will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, more as required depending on business needs.

Closing date: 8^th May 2026

Interview date: 13^th May 2026

Interview-type / process: In person competency based interview

If you would like to have an informal conversation with the recruiting manager, please contact: Martin Dickman

This post is politically restricted under the terms of the Local Government Act 1989.

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/