Job Description

Salary

46,843 to 52,618 per annum

Contractual hours

37

Basis

Full time

Date posted

19/01/2026

Job reference

COLREQ01582

Contract Type:

Permanent

Working Hours:

37 hours per week

Location:

Civic offices including Shrub End Depot and home working

Interviews will take place at Rowan House on 13 February 2026

Are you a driven and experienced Recycling, Waste and Fleet Manager with proven experience of implementing transformation and strategy?

Can you use your positivity and passion to make a difference to the lives of residents and visitors of Colchester?

Do you want to work for a multi-award-winning organisation with great staff benefits and career opportunities?

About us

The Recycling, Waste & Fleet Service is delivered in-house from our Shrub End depot, serving over 85,000 households across Colchester. With a dedicated workforce of more than 150 employees and a fleet of 50 vehicles, this is one of the Council's most vital services--touching the lives of every resident in our city.

2026 is a pivotal year for the Service as we implement major changes to meet the needs of Colchester, a growing, vibrant, newly designated city, while navigating an increasingly challenging financial landscape. At the same time, we are preparing for upcoming legislative reforms, advancing our environmental ambitions, and ensuring the Service is ready for Local Government Reform.

Thanks to our hardworking and passionate team, this year promises to be both exciting and transformative--and you will play a key role in leading the way.

We have an ambitious programme to deliver, underpinned by our new waste strategy, which will see revised food and material collections to every flat and kerbside property in the City, rolling out wheeled bins for kerbside collections and implementing the Government's plans for 'Simpler Recycling', whilst implementing changes in operations, including training for crews, new vehicles and technology. there will also be updates to Trade Waste services and new collection methods to be implemented between now and March 2027. This role will be pivotal in managing the programme's success and customer satisfaction.

This role will be pivotal in ensuring the success of this programme and maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.

Job description

Key responsibilities include:

To develop and implement the strategic plans for Recycling, Refuse, and Fleet services that align with the Council's long-term priorities. Shaping the future direction of waste management, driving transformation, and embedding a culture of continuous improvement. Ensure that strategic objectives are translated into practical, measurable actions, delivering operational excellence and sustainable outcomes.

Qualifications, skills and experience

Applicants must have:

Educated to a degree level or proven experience demonstrating an equivalent level of attainment A management or coaching qualification or working towards one at ILM level 5 or equivalent Strategic planning and implementation within waste management or a similar operational environment Strong leadership in service transformation and change management Commercial and financial acumen with a track record of delivering efficiencies Ability to influence at all levels and build strategic partnerships Experience of waste and environmental legislation Experience of managing 150+ workforce and 1m+ budget

Why work with us?

We pride ourselves on our inclusive and supportive staff culture. As a member of the team, you would have access to various benefits, including:

Flexible working Attractive local government pension scheme Generous annual leave entitlement Sports and leisure facilities such as Leisure World Colchester and Colchester Sports Park


For a friendly chat about the role, please contact

Richard Walker, Head of Service via telephone on 01206 282708

or via email at Richard.walker@colchester.gov.uk

For a copy of the job description, please click here.

Colchester City Council has a wide range of services and facilities that can involve dealing with children or vulnerable adults. We treat our obligations for the safety of children and vulnerable adults seriously and expect our staff to be committed to the principles of our published policies and to adhere to the procedures contained within them.