Depot and Collections Manager

Role & Responsibilities

Position: Depot and Collections Manager – Castlebar Site

Relationships:

a. Report to: General Manager / Divisional Director
b. Liaison with all departments, customers, suppliers, regulators, and external stakeholders

Role Purpose

The Depot and Collections Manager is responsible for the effective day-to-day management of depot operations, collections, fleet and transport activities, while ensuring that all operations are delivered safely, efficiently, compliantly and in line with agreed business objectives, financial targets and service levels.

The role provides leadership across depot, operational, collections and fleet teams and is responsible for ensuring appropriate staffing levels, effective operational performance, fleet utilisation, service delivery and compliance with Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality (SHEQ) requirements.

The postholder will maintain a visible management presence across the depot and will drive continuous improvement across operational processes, collections performance, cost control, customer service and SHEQ standards.

Key Accountabilities:

1. Depot Operations Management

• Assume overall responsibility for the effective day-to-day management of depot operations.
• Take responsibility for operational performance and delivery of agreed business objectives, KPIs and performance targets.
• Ensure depot activities are completed safely, efficiently and in accordance with company policies, procedures and legislative requirements.
• Lead, supervise and provide direction and performance support to depot, operational, collection and support staff.
• Monitor fuel consumption, vehicle utilisation, operating costs, service delivery and other relevant operational KPIs.
• Ensure intake material is processed safely and efficiently and in line with agreed operational targets, stock rotation, commodity recovery and landfill minimisation objectives.
• Monitor the quality of commodity stock and ensure dispatched products meet required quality standards.
• Ensure non-conforming waste is appropriately identified, quarantined and removed from the depot in accordance with company procedures and waste rejection protocols.
• Coordinate effectively with operational teams, transport, contractors, customers and suppliers to support effective depot operations.
• Provide operational leadership and support during periods of management absence where required.

2. Collections Management

• Take overall responsibility for the operational performance and service levels delivered by collection teams.
• Lead collection teams to achieve agreed business, operational and customer service objectives.
• Ensure collection operations are effectively planned, resourced and managed.
• Review and optimise shift patterns, routes and operational resources to maximise efficiency.
• Monitor collection performance and service levels to support customer retention and satisfaction.
• Work collaboratively with office and operational support teams to achieve agreed business outcomes.
• Promote effective communication between collection teams, depot operations and office-based teams.
• Manage collection service levels to ensure customer requirements and service level agreements are achieved.

3. Fleet & Transport Management

• Manage and monitor the operational collection fleet to ensure high standards of fleet availability, utilisation and performance.
• Monitor vehicle movements using GPS tracking, fleet management systems and other available technology.
• Track route progress, driver performance, fuel consumption and route compliance.
• Identify and implement opportunities for route optimisation and improved fleet utilisation.
• Maintain accurate records relating to routes, collections, fuel usage, vehicle maintenance and driver hours.
• Verify driver hours and associated records to support payroll accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Support drivers in the use of in-cab technology, mobile applications and transport management systems.
• Ensure staff comply with the pre-use plant and vehicle checks and that they are completed and that defects are identified and escalated appropriately.
• Liaise with relevant managers and maintenance teams to ensure defects and corrective actions are addressed within appropriate timeframes.
• Maintain effective working relationships with key suppliers and service providers to ensure value and operational support.

4. People Management & Workforce Planning

• Lead and manage depot, operational, collection, maintenance and support teams.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels are maintained across depot and collections operations.
• Manage operational resources effectively during periods of annual leave, sickness and other absences.
• Ensure staffing levels are managed effectively within agreed budgets.
• Liaise with approved employment agencies where temporary or agency cover is required.
• Monitor employee attendance and ensure compliance with clocking and absence notification procedures.
• Support and manage the operational elements of recruitment and selection processes.
• Ensure relevant employee documentation is submitted to HR in a timely manner.
• Ensure agency starters and leavers are communicated to the appropriate internal teams in a timely manner.

5. SHEQ (Safety, Health, Environment & Quality)

• Lead and promote a strong SHEQ culture across all depot and collections activities.
• Ensure relevant health, safety, environmental and quality systems and procedures are effectively communicated and implemented.
• Identify workplace hazards, operational risks and environmental impacts and ensure appropriate corrective and preventative actions are implemented.
• Support and participate in investigations into accidents, incidents and near misses.
• Monitor employee health and safety performance and ensure safe working practices are consistently maintained.
• Deliver and coordinate SHEQ inductions, toolbox talks and relevant training.
• Promote employee health, safety and wellbeing through proactive engagement and visible leadership.
• Ensure compliance with relevant health, safety, environmental and quality legislation, company policies and industry best practice.
• Liaise with the SHEQ Compliance Manager and relevant SHEQ teams to ensure operational compliance requirements are met.
• Ensure all relevant site licences, permits and waste collection permit requirements are adhered to.
• Champion SHEQ across both depot operations and collections.

6. Compliance & Permit to Work Responsibilities

• Ensure depot and collection activities are carried out in accordance with company policies, procedures, licences, permits and legislative requirements.
• Maintain accurate operational, fleet, transport and SHEQ documentation.
• Ensure regulatory inspections, audits and statutory requirements are completed within required timescales.
• Liaise with regulators, customers, suppliers, contractors and other external stakeholders as required.

Where authorised:

• Act as a Permit to Work (PTW) Issuer.
• Ensure appropriate isolations and Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) procedures are in place prior to work commencing.
• Monitor Permit to Work activities and ensure appropriate supervision and close-out procedures are completed.

7. Financial & Performance Management

• Monitor depot and collections performance against agreed KPIs and targets.
• Provide timely and accurate reporting and performance analysis to management.
• Monitor operating costs, fuel consumption, vehicle utilisation, cost per tonne and other relevant financial and operational measures.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and reduce unnecessary costs.
• Support the management of the depot's Operational P&L and ensure operations are delivered within agreed budgets.
• Liaise with relevant suppliers and commodity buyers to maximise commercial and operational opportunities.
• Ensure accurate operational data is available to support financial reporting, invoicing and business decision-making.

8. Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Provide strong, visible and effective leadership across depot and collections teams.
• Build effective working relationships across departments to support collaborative working.
• Develop a positive management culture that encourages accountability, resourcefulness and high performance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on depot efficiency, collections performance, compliance, cost control, fleet performance and service quality.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, systems and ways of working.
• Support management with operational reporting, performance analysis and business improvement projects.

Additional Duties

• To attend all meetings as required.
• To show commitment to company values in all aspects of your role.
• To act as a positive ambassador for the business.
• I have received and read my Job Description and understand that it acts as a guide only to my duties and responsibilities and is not exhaustive; I agree to undertake any other duties deemed reasonable by the management.

We are Panda. We value waste.

We’re in the business of waste management but that doesn’t just mean collecting bins. Behind every collection is a passionate team of people finding smarter, safer, and more sustainable ways to recycle and repurpose materials that would otherwise go to waste.

Over the past 30 years, Panda has grown into a leading resource recovery business, bringing together almost 3,000 people across multiple brands, united by a shared vision and strong values. While our operations are diverse, our purpose is clear: to protect our people, support our customers, and create positive impact for the communities and environments we serve.

At Panda, people are at the heart of everything we do. We work as one team, combining different skills, experiences, and perspectives to achieve shared goals. We care for each other’s wellbeing, encourage development, and support growth because we know we’re stronger together.

We expect excellence in how we operate. High standards, bold thinking, and continuous improvement drive our passion for innovation. We challenge the ordinary, put safety first, and embrace new ideas while delivering practical, cost-effective solutions that move our business forward.

We own what we do. From day-to-day tasks to major projects, we take pride in our work and responsibility for the outcome. We don’t walk past problems we address them together. Our expertise, reliability, and care reflect who we are and the difference we make.

And above all, we act with trust and integrity. Trust is built through open communication, honesty, and accountability. It allows us to move quickly, make confident decisions, and deliver results — knowing our people are empowered to do the right thing.

Our journey depends on talented, committed people who want to make an impact.

Take the first step and join us on the journey.

Panda is committed to attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we operate and the people we serve.
(DE&I Policy Statement)