Head of Environment

Head of Environment - Job Description

About Matiq

MatIQ Group is one of the UK's leading and fastest-growing operators of waste recovery infrastructure, having already delivered two cornerstone assets and acquired several ancillary sites. We are building a UK network targeting 1 million tonnes a year of processing capacity by 2029, through new build and acquisition.

MatIQ is now hiring a Head of Environment to lead environmental permitting and compliance across the group as it grows.

Every new site and acquisition brings new permits, new plans and more scrutiny from regulators and communities. You will own that across the network, be our lead voice with the Environment Agency and make sure compliance is built into how our sites run every day.

Purpose of the role

The Head of Environment makes sure every Matiq site stays permitted, compliant and a good neighbour, and that environmental compliance supports our growth rather than holding it back.

Each new site and acquisition brings new permits, new plans and more scrutiny from regulators and communities. The Head of Environment owns that across the group, keeps a strong working relationship with the Environment Agency, and makes sure compliance is built into how our sites run every day.

Key responsibilities

1. Permits and the Environment Agency. Own every environmental permit across the group, including variations and new applications. Act as Matiq's lead contact with the EA and handle inspections, compliance assessments and any enforcement.

2. Site plans and controls. Keep Fire Prevention Plans, Odour Management Plans and other site management plans current and approved. Audit sites regularly and make sure what's on paper is what happens on the ground.

3. Waste regulation and reporting. Make sure sampling, waste returns, duty of care and waste shipments are accurate and on time. Track regulatory change and keep the group ready for it.

4. Incidents and complaints. Lead the response to environmental incidents, odour and noise complaints and community concerns. Investigate root causes, notify the EA where required and make sure fixes stick.

5. Acquisitions and new sites. Lead environmental due diligence on acquisitions, permit transfers and new-build applications, so sites open and transfer without delay.

6. Systems, reporting and team. Run ISO 14001 across the group, report environmental performance to the Executive and Board, support customer and council sustainability reporting, and build the site compliance team as the network grows.

What success looks like

In the first 12 months, the Head of Environment will have:

• Kept every site at EA compliance Band A or B, with no Category 1 or 2 permit breaches
• Got all site management plans, including Fire Prevention and Odour Management Plans, approved and current
• Built an open, constructive working relationship with the EA across all sites
• Delivered permit work for new sites and acquisitions on programme
• Put ISO 14001 in place across all operational sites
• Cut environmental complaints, with every one logged, responded to and closed out

Who we're looking for

Essential

• Senior environmental compliance experience in waste or recycling, across more than one permitted site
• Has handled EA permit applications, variations and compliance assessments directly
• Strong working knowledge of environmental permitting, site management plans and waste reporting
• Holds WAMITAB certification
• Confident dealing with regulators, councils and local communities, including under pressure
• Degree in an environmental or science subject, or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Chartered status (CEnv or MCIWM)
• ISO 14001 lead auditor
• Experience of waste shipments and producer responsibility schemes
• Environmental due diligence on acquisitions

Pay: £45,000.00-£60,000.00 per year

Licence/Certification:

• WAMITAB COTC certificate (required)

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (required)

Work Location: In person