The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
Are you an experienced operational supervisor with a passion for delivering high-quality frontline services? Do you thrive in fast-paced environments, leading teams to achieve excellent customer outcomes while driving service improvement and efficiency? Reading Borough Council is looking for a proactive and motivated Recycling and Waste Supervisor to join our Neighbourhood Services team.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About The Role:
As a Recycling and Waste Supervisor, you will play a key role in the operational delivery of Reading’s waste and recycling services. You will manage and support a large frontline workforce, ensuring services are delivered safely, efficiently, and to a high standard for residents and businesses across the borough.
Working closely with the Recycling and Waste Senior Operations Officer, you will supervise day-to-day operations including domestic refuse, recycling, food waste, bulky collections, and trade waste services. You will also support service improvement initiatives, staff development, health and safety compliance, and operational planning.
This is a varied and hands-on leadership role that requires excellent people management skills, operational awareness, and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
Key Responsibilities
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Supervise and coordinate day-to-day recycling and waste collection operations
- Lead, motivate, and manage a frontline workforce of approximately 70–80 staff
- Ensure staffing resources are effectively allocated to maintain service continuity
- Monitor performance, attendance, training, and health & safety compliance
- Conduct return-to-work meetings, appraisals, toolbox talks, and team briefings
- Support investigations, incident reporting, and implementation of safe working practices
- Assist with service improvement projects and operational efficiencies
- Work collaboratively with internal departments, contractors, and external partners
- Support customer service responses, enquiries, and operational problem-solving
- Deputise for senior operational management when required
About You:
You will be an experienced and confident supervisor with a strong track record of managing frontline operational teams in a fast-paced environment. You will have excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to motivate staff, manage performance, and maintain high standards of service delivery.
A strong understanding of health and safety, operational compliance, and resource planning is essential, along with the ability to problem-solve and make effective decisions under pressure. You will be organised, adaptable, and customer-focused, with experience of working collaboratively across teams and dealing professionally with members of the public and stakeholders.
Experience within waste, recycling, environmental, logistics, or similar operational services would be highly advantageous, alongside knowledge of relevant legislation and a commitment to continuous service improvement.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.
Our offer:
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
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Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Modern working environment at 19 Bennet Road, Reading
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
- Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
For more information on this position please contact Marcus Hermon, Recycling and Waste Services Manager on [email protected]
Closing Date: Wednesday 10th June 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview Setup: In person at 19 Bennet Road, Reading, RG2 0QX
