Transfer Station Manager, Smugglers Way

Cory is one of the UK’s leading waste management and recycling companies.

Cory operates the Transfer Stations at Smugglers Way and Cringle Dock on behalf of the Western Riverside Waste Authority, as well as Transfer Stations in the City of London (Walbrook Wharf), Tower Hamlets (Northumberland Wharf) and Barking.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Transfer Station Manager to lead the safe, compliant and efficient operation of the Smugglers Way Transfer Station.

This is a key management position with overall responsibility for site operations, environmental compliance, health and safety performance, contractual service delivery, employee leadership and continuous improvement. The successful candidate will provide visible leadership across the site, ensuring staff are effectively managed, trained, supported and held accountable while maintaining high operational and safety standards.

The role requires a hands-on manager who can balance operational demands, regulatory compliance, commercial awareness and people leadership in a fast-paced waste management environment.

Key elements of the role:

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, motivate and develop supervisors, operators and support staff across the transfer station.
• Build a positive safety-first culture and ensure staff understand and fulfil their responsibilities.
• Manage workforce planning, resource allocation and succession planning to ensure operational resilience.
• Conduct regular team briefings, one-to-one meetings and performance reviews.
• Manage recruitment, induction, training, competency assessments and employee development.
• Address attendance, conduct, capability and performance issues in line with company procedures.
• Ensure all employees receive appropriate training and maintain competence for their role.
• Foster employee engagement and continuous improvement through coaching and development.
• Promote accountability, professionalism and high standards of behaviour across all teams.
  
  

Operational Management

• Manage the day-to-day operation of the transfer station to ensure safe, efficient and effective service delivery.
• Ensure waste is received, stored, processed and transferred in accordance with company procedures and environmental permits.
• Monitor site throughput and operational performance to maximise efficiency and productivity.
• Coordinate site activities to meet customer and contractual requirements.
• Manage traffic movements, vehicle flows and tipping operations to maintain safe site operations.
• Implement operational improvement initiatives to enhance performance and service delivery.
  
  

Health, Safety & Environmental Compliance

• Maintain full compliance with Health & Safety legislation, Environmental Permit requirements and company standards.
• Lead by example in promoting a strong safety culture throughout the site.
• Ensure risk assessments, safe systems of work and work instructions are implemented and followed.
• Investigate accidents, incidents, near misses and fires, ensuring corrective actions are implemented.
• Conduct safety inspections, workplace audits and compliance reviews.
• Ensure contractor activities are effectively controlled and monitored.
• Liaise with regulatory bodies including the Environment Agency and other external stakeholders as required.
  
  

Plant, Equipment & Asset Management

• Ensure all plant and equipment are maintained in a safe and serviceable condition.
• Monitor planned preventative maintenance programmes.
• Manage defect reporting and corrective maintenance activities.
• Support capital investment initiatives and equipment replacement programmes.
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability and operational efficiency.
  
  

Commercial & Performance Management

• Monitor operational performance against agreed targets and KPIs.
• Support budgetary control and cost management activities.
• Identify opportunities for efficiency improvements and cost reduction.
• Ensure accurate operational reporting and record keeping.
• Support business improvement initiatives and strategic operational projects.
  
  

Stakeholder Management

• Maintain effective relationships with clients, contractors, local authorities and regulatory bodies.
• Represent the business professionally during audits, inspections and client meetings.
• Respond appropriately to operational issues, complaints and service-related enquiries.
• Work collaboratively with internal departments to ensure effective service delivery.
  
  

The successful applicant will need to have held a managerial position in a similar business environment, be able to demonstrate experience of profit responsibility and people management skills.

The ideal candidate must also be prepared to participate as an active member of the London Transfer Station Management Team and be flexible in their approach.

Essential

• Previous management experience within waste management, recycling, logistics, transfer stations or a similar operational environment.
• Strong leadership and people management experience.
• Experience managing operational teams in a safety-critical environment.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety legislation and best practices.
• Experience conducting incident investigations and implementing corrective actions.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage competing priorities within a fast-paced operational environment.
• Competent use of Microsoft Office systems and operational reporting tools.
  
  

Desirable

• WAMITAB Qualification (Level 4 or equivalent).
• IOSH Managing Safely or NEBOSH qualification.
• Environmental Permit compliance experience.
• Experience managing contractors and agency labour.
• Knowledge of waste legislation and environmental compliance requirements.
• Experience managing large operational sites and multiple workstreams.
• Operational knowledge, including vehicle, plant and equipment