General Manager

Description:

General Manager
Reports to: Regional General Manager
Location: Birmingham
Contract: Full-time

About the Role
We are looking for an experienced General Manager to lead a complex, multi-depot operation covering trade waste, skip, RoRo and artic services.

This is a senior leadership role with full accountability for operational performance, commercial delivery, safety, compliance and the individual and combined P&Ls of the depots.

The General Manager will lead the continued transformation of the operation, creating a more consistent, efficient and commercially focused model while maintaining high standards of customer service.

What You’ll Be Doing
As General Manager, you will:
Lead multi-site operations across trade waste, skip, RoRo and artic services
Take full ownership of depot-level and combined P&Ls, including revenue growth, cost control and margin improvement
Develop operational strategies that improve productivity, fleet utilisation and service delivery
Work closely with Sales to ensure operational capability supports sustainable commercial growth
Lead the standardisation and transformation of depots into a consistent, modern and commercially focused operating model
Maintain high standards of health and safety, transport compliance, waste compliance, customer service and site presentation
Lead, develop and hold depot managers and operational teams accountable for performance
Build succession plans and develop a strong pipeline of operational leadership talent
Ensure compliance with Operator Licence requirements, transport legislation, Working Time Directive requirements and other regulatory standards
Act as, or oversee, the named Transport Manager across relevant Operator Licences
Manage fleet strategy, asset utilisation and demand planning against agreed budgets
Identify opportunities to reduce costs, improve efficiency and strengthen operational performance
Deliver against KPIs covering safety, service, cost, compliance and customer satisfaction
Take ownership of significant operational issues, escalations and service recovery
Work closely with Sales, Finance, Compliance and Maintenance teams
Lead the planning and mobilisation of new contracts, ensuring operational readiness and commercial viability
Support the continued rollout of the Panda operating model across the regionWhat We’re Looking For
The successful General Manager will have:
Significant senior operational leadership experience within transport, logistics or waste management
Experience managing multiple depots through layered management structures
A strong track record of managing P&Ls and improving revenue, margin and operational costs
Experience leading operational transformation and embedding new ways of working
Strong commercial judgement and an understanding of the relationship between sales and operational delivery
Proven experience developing managers, improving accountability and building high-performing teams
The ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced and operationally demanding environment
Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills
Experience delivering significant operational-efficiency and continuous-improvement initiatives
A high level of resilience, ownership and personal accountability
Experience across trade waste, skip, RoRo and artic operations would be highly advantageousEssential Qualifications and Knowledge

Transport Manager CPC
Willingness to be named on the company’s Operator Licence where required
Waste-management or transport-industry experience
Full UK driving licence
Strong knowledge of transport legislation, the Working Time Directive and Operator Licence compliance
Strong understanding of health and safety within a transport or waste-management environmentIOSH, First Aid or ADR-awareness qualifications would be beneficial but are not essential.

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)