Commercial Manager - Waste & Recycling

WasteRecruit has been retained to support an established regional waste and recycling business serving customers across Surrey, West Sussex and the wider South East.

Following a period of investment, the business is looking for an experienced Commercial Manager to strengthen commercial performance, develop customer and supplier relationships and help deliver its next stage of growth.

The role

Reporting to the Managing Director, you will provide the commercial link between customers, waste outlets, transport, site operations and the senior management team.

You will take a lead role in managing the commercial performance of waste entering, moving through and leaving the business. This will include revenue, tonnage, disposal costs, outlet strategy, contract performance and new business opportunities.

This is a hands-on position within a fast-moving operational environment. It would suit someone who combines strong commercial judgement with a practical understanding of waste transfer, recycling, skip and roll-on roll-off operations.

Key responsibilities

-Manage the commercial position of inbound and outbound waste movements.

-Work with operations and transport teams to balance customer requirements, site capacity, processing and disposal.

-Develop and maintain relationships with customers, disposal outlets, hauliers, suppliers and local authorities.

-Negotiate waste-supply, disposal, haulage and offtake agreements.

-Monitor revenue, tonnage, disposal cost and commercial performance.

-Identify opportunities to improve margin, reduce cost and strengthen outlet resilience.

-Develop new business across construction waste, skip hire, roll-on roll-off, recycled aggregates, airport services and commercial waste.

-Prepare tenders, proposals, contract reviews and customer communications.

-Support the resolution of operational and customer-service issues.

-Work closely with transport, operations, HSEQ and compliance colleagues.

-Produce clear management information, forecasts and performance reports.

-Contribute to the continued development and professionalisation of the business.

About you

You will have relevant commercial experience within waste management, recycling, resource recovery, aggregates, skip hire or a closely related operational sector.

You are likely to demonstrate:

-a strong understanding of waste flows, disposal outlets and commercial contracts;

-experience negotiating with customers, suppliers, hauliers or waste outlets;

-an understanding of waste transfer, skip and roll-on roll-off operations;

-the ability to interpret revenue, cost, tonnage and margin information;

-experience developing tenders, proposals or new commercial opportunities;

-practical awareness of environmental, duty-of-care and Operator Licence requirements;

-credibility with site teams, drivers, customers and senior management;

-strong problem-solving and communication skills;

-a pragmatic, hands-on approach; and

-the ability to support change while respecting the knowledge and experience already within the business.

A Transport Manager CPC, WAMITAB qualification or other relevant industry qualification would be beneficial, although operational experience and commercial capability will be equally important.