Job Description

Assistant Operations Manager

Permanent

Grade C - £35,412 - £41,771

Consultation grade - subject to formal evaluation under the Pay Equity Review

Working 36.5 hours per week (shifts between 06:00-16:00)

Opportunities available across Birmingham: Atlas Waste Depot, Perry Barr Waste Depot, and Smithfield Depot

Are you a people focused leader who thrives in a fast‑paced operational environment?

Birmingham City Council is investing in the transformation of Waste Logistics & Collections; driving improvements in service quality, operational efficiency, and community satisfaction. To support this evolution, we’re strengthening our on‑the‑ground operational leadership across local depots.

We’re looking for Assistant Operations Managers to help lead the delivery of high‑quality waste collection services for Birmingham’s residents. You’ll play a key role in ensuring our waste and recycling services are delivered safely, efficiently, and to a consistently high standard. You’ll oversee daily operations, support staff development, manage resources, and help create a positive, performance driven culture.

This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference in your city, supporting frontline teams and driving continuous improvement across our service.

We’re looking for Assistant Operations Managers who bring…

• Real leadership experience – you’ve led teams in a busy operational environment and know how to get the best out of people.
• A strong safety mindset – with solid experience in compliance, risk management and keeping teams safe every day.
• A data‑driven approach – you use insight and performance information to make smart decisions and deliver better services.
• Clear, confident communication – you motivate, support and get your teams working together with purpose.
• A genuine customer focus – you handle community queries professionally and take pride in delivering a great service for residents.
• Strong problem-solving skills – you stay calm under pressure, think ahead and find practical solutions.
• Excellent planning and organisational abilities – you can juggle multiple tasks, prioritise effectively and keep operations running smoothly.
• Financial awareness – with experience managing budgets, controlling costs and making resources work smarter.
• Full UK Driving Licence – with flexibility to travel around the city

The below qualifications are desireable:

• NEBOSH or equivalent Health & Safety qualification
• Level 3 or 4 Leadership & Management qualification (or strong supervisory experience
• CPC Qualification (Transport Manager)

What you’ll be doing...

• Lead the day-to-day operation – coordinating staffing and fleet resources so services run efficiently and hit performance targets.
• Keep everything running safely – ensuring daily operations meet Council standards and fostering a strong “safety first” culture.
• Be a trusted leader for our Drivers and Loaders – supporting them with day‑to‑day issues, welfare needs, and performance.
• Develop your teams – carrying out coaching, performance reviews, and development plans that help people grow and succeed.
• Champion positive people management – overseeing attendance, wellbeing, and HR compliance with a fair, supportive approach.
• Welcome and train new talent – getting new team members up to speed and setting them up for success.
• Own safety on the ground – conducting inspections, investigating incidents, and maintaining safe systems of work.
• Ensure compliance – monitoring PPE standards and overseeing transport and tachograph regulations
• Use data to drive improvement –spotting trends, developing solutions, and pushing for “right‑first‑time” service delivery.
• Shape the bigger picture – preparing reports and sharing insight with managers and key stakeholders.
• Take care of the numbers – managing budgets, vehicle‑related costs, and driving value for residents.
• Support sustainability goals – helping make our operations cleaner, greener, and more efficient for the future.

You’ll be right at the heart of our city’s frontline operations, keeping services moving, supporting our teams, and making sure Birmingham gets the high‑quality service it deserves.

Every day will bring variety, challenge, and the chance to make a real difference

What we offer in return…

• Membership of West Midlands Pension Fund – with generous employer contributions
• Enhanced Holiday Entitlement – 30 days, increasing with length of service
• My Rewards Scheme – access to 800+ brands providing discounts and savings
• Health and wellbeing support – independent and confidential employee assistance and counselling, occupational health

For any informal enquires please contact: Resourcing@birmingham.gov.uk

Please upload your up-to-date CV via the attachments part of your application, this is required for shortlisting. Unfortunately, we cannot consider any applications without a CV attached.

We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the communities we serve. Our data tells us that for this level of role, ethnic minorities are underrepresented and therefore we will use positive action to support us to achieve diverse shortlists. This may mean that recruitment times are a little longer, but we think this is worth it to achieve our aim.

Birmingham City Council is an accredited Disability Confident Leader employer, and we are committed to employing, retaining and developing all of our people.

We want to ensure your recruitment journey with us is a positive and equitable one, so please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments, additional support, accessibility needs, or if there is any way in which we can support you through your application.

We are dedicated to supporting internal mobility and the development of our people. As such, applications from internal employees and those under S118 will be given priority and reviewed before external applications are considered.

We welcome applications from people with caring responsibilities and flexible working options will be considered.

Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed.

and Person Specification

We are a disability confident employer and we encourage applicants with disabilities to apply. We also welcome applications from people with caring responsibilities and flexible working options will be considered.

Proof of Right to work in the UK will be required for all applicants in accordance with UK Home Office requirements, before any employment offer can be confirmed. Non-UK applicants (excluding Ireland) may need to apply for a visa from the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and may require a Certificate of Sponsorship from Birmingham City Council for a skilled worker visa (if the job is eligible).