Head of Operations
| Posting date: | 18 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 25 December 2025 |
| Location: | Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH65 4EQ |
| Company: | Veolia |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | JR27729_1766071668 |
Summary
Ready to find the right role for you?
Salary: Competitive Salary plus Car Allowance / Company Car and Annual Bonus
Location: Ellesmere Port
When you see the world as we do, you see the chance to help the world take better care of its resources, and help it become a better place for everyone. It's why we're looking for someone who's just as committed as we are, to push for genuine change and bring our ambition of Ecological Transformation to life.
We know that everyone here at Veolia can help us work alongside our communities, look after the environment, and contribute to our inclusive culture.
What we can offer you:
- Access to our company pension scheme
- Discounts on everything from groceries to well known retailers
- Access to a range of resources to support your physical, mental and financial health; so you can lean on us whenever you need to
- 24 hour access to a virtual GP, 365 days a year, for you and family members in your household
- One paid days leave every year to volunteer and support your community
- Ongoing training and development opportunities, allowing you to reach your full potential
What you'll be doing:
- Lead and manage all operational activities at the hazardous waste processing facility, delivering an operational plan with an incineration revenue budget of approximately £30 million per annum while ensuring health, safety, and environmental compliance.
- Manage the complete operational budget including payroll, chemicals, utilities, and productivity, with responsibility for approximately £3 million P&L and focus on cost reduction targets and operational efficiencies.
- Provide technical expertise and governance on COMAH regulations, Major Accident Hazard scenarios, and regulatory compliance including IPPC and IRR17, ensuring all mitigation measures are effective and supporting preparation of the site's COMAH Safety Report.
- Lead the 7-day, monthly, and annual production planning process in collaboration with Commercial, Compliance, Maintenance, and Engineering teams, chairing daily Operations Review meetings and ensuring adherence to weekly production plans above 90%.
- Recruit, develop, and manage operational teams (3 direct reports, 52 indirect reports), ensuring staff competency through training and succession planning, conducting performance management, and promoting a coaching culture with focus on teamwork, diversity, and inclusion.
- Drive innovation and continuous improvement by leading operational/technical projects up to £1 million, implementing new technologies and efficient working practices, and acting as a subject matter expert on the incineration process while maintaining knowledge of industry best practices.
What we're looking for:
- Degree or HND/HNC in a relevant engineering or technical discipline, with over 5 years of supervisory experience in the process or hazardous waste industries.
- Proven COMAH experience with practical knowledge of Major Accident Hazard scenarios, mitigation controls, and general QHSE legislation and standards (HASAWA, H&S Regulations, ISO standards).
- Strong project management experience including turnaround planning and execution, with ability to lead operational/technical projects and participate in Hazard Studies.
- Demonstrated expertise in managing and measuring work with ability to clearly assign responsibility, set clear objectives and measures, monitor progress and results, and design feedback loops with a keen focus on delivery.
- Excellent leadership capabilities with proven ability to exceed goals, drive results consistently, and promote a high-performance culture while managing budgets, analysing productivity data, and optimising staffing and production capacity.
What's next?
Apply today, so we can make a difference for generations to come.
We're proud to have been named as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work for three consecutive years in 2023, 2024 and 2025. This consistent recognition reflects our commitment to our people, demonstrating that Veolia is not just transforming the environment, we're also transforming what it means to have a rewarding, purposeful career.
We're dedicated to supporting you throughout your application journey, offering adjustments where reasonable and appropriate. As a proud Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to applicants with a disability or long-term condition who opt-in to the Disability Confident scheme, and meet the minimum criteria for our roles.
We're also committed to ensuring that all applicants and colleagues receive fair treatment without discrimination on any grounds, aiming to create a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.
If you are successful in securing a new role or promotion within the company, any offer to you may be subject to the acceptance of standardised terms and conditions. These new terms and conditions may differ from your current contract, if you have any questions about how this might affect you, please don't hesitate to contact your line manager or the HR team.
Job Posting End Date:
02-01-2026
What's next?
Apply today, so we can make a difference for generations to come.
We're proud to have been named as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work for three consecutive years in 2023, 2024 and 2025. This consistent recognition reflects our commitment to our people, demonstrating that Veolia is not just transforming the environment, we're also transforming what it means to have a rewarding, purposeful career.
We're dedicated to supporting you throughout your application journey, offering adjustments where reasonable and appropriate. As a proud Disability Confident Employer, we will offer an interview to applicants with a disability or long-term condition who opt-in to the Disability Confident scheme, and meet the minimum criteria for our roles.
We're also committed to ensuring that all applicants and colleagues receive fair treatment without discrimination on any grounds, aiming to create a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.