Team Leader - Operations

Company Overview
Vetspeed Ltd, established in 1979, specializes in providing waste management services tailored to the veterinary, animal health, and welfare sectors. Our dedicated team ensures environmentally responsible and efficient waste disposal solutions that support our clients' vital work.

Job Purpose

The Team Leader is responsible for the safe, compliant and efficient operation of the incineration plant, pet cremator and waste treatment facility during their designated shift. The role involves supervising plant operatives, coordinating waste processing activities, ensuring compliance with environmental permits and health & safety requirements, and maintaining operational performance to meet customer and business requirements.

The Team Leader will act as the senior operational person on shift and will be responsible for ensuring all cremation, incineration and associated plant processes operate safely, efficiently and in accordance with company procedures and regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Management

• Lead and supervise operational staff during the shift.
• Ensure the safe receipt, handling, storage and Cremation of pets.
• Ensure the safe receipt, handling, storage of clinical and hazardous waste stream
• Monitor and control the operation of the incinerator, APC (Air Pollution Control) systems and associated plant equipment.
• Ensure waste throughput and plant performance targets are achieved.
• Respond to operational issues and equipment alarms, taking appropriate corrective action.
• Coordinate plant start-ups, shutdowns and changeovers.
• Maintain effective communication and handovers between shifts.

Health, Safety & Environmental Compliance

• Promote a positive safety culture across the site.
• Ensure compliance with:
• Environmental Permit requirements.
• Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
• Environmental Protection Act requirements.
• Waste Duty of Care obligations.
• Company safe systems of work.
• Conduct safety inspections and workplace audits.
• Report accidents, near misses and environmental incidents.
• Ensure appropriate use of PPE at all times.

Environmental Monitoring

• Monitor operating parameters to ensure permit compliance.

Ensure accurate recording of:

• Incinerator and cremation temperatures.
• Residence times.
• Emissions monitoring data.
• Waste throughput records.
• Operational logs.

Escalate environmental or permit compliance concerns immediately.

• Support regulatory inspections and audits.

Team Leadership

• Supervise and support operators, plant technicians and waste handling personnel.
• Deliver toolbox talks and shift briefings.
• Train and mentor new employees.
• Manage attendance, performance and conduct issues in line with company procedures.
• Encourage continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Maintenance Support

• Liaise with engineering teams regarding plant defects.
• Ensure equipment defects are reported and recorded.
• Support planned maintenance activities.
• Verify plant readiness following maintenance works.

Documentation & Reporting

• Complete all shift reports accurately and on time.
• Maintain operational records and compliance documentation.
• Monitor waste inventory and stock levels.
• Report operational performance against agreed KPIs.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Safety performance.
• Plant availability and uptime.
• Environmental permit compliance.
• Waste throughput achieved.
• Staff attendance and performance.
• Incident and near miss reporting.
• Operational efficiency.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics.
• IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent.
• Relevant waste management, incineration or process industry experience.

Desirable Qualifications

• WAMITAB Level 4 Operator Competence qualification.
• NEBOSH General Certificate.
• First Aid at Work qualification.
• Fire Marshal qualification.
• Environmental management qualification.
• FLT licence

Essential Experience

• Experience operating thermal treatment, incineration, energy-from-waste or industrial process plant.
• Previous supervisory or team leader experience.
• Experience working within highly regulated environments.
• Understanding of environmental permit requirements.
• Experience investigating incidents and implementing corrective actions.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Understanding of hazardous and clinical waste operations.
• Knowledge of environmental compliance obligations.
• Ability to interpret operational data and plant performance indicators.
• Competence in risk assessment and safe systems of work.
• Effective decision-making under pressure.
• Good computer skills, including Microsoft Office.

Personal Attributes

• Safety-focused mindset.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Reliable and dependable.
• Professional and adaptable.
• Ability to motivate and develop teams.
• Calm and decisive during plant upsets or emergencies.

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and bank holidays.
• Participation in emergency response arrangements.
• Capability to work within operational areas requiring PPE and exposure to industrial environments.

The working pattern for this role is a 4 on 4 off pattern, with both days and nights.

The salary for this position is C. £40,000 per annum inclusive of shift allowances.

Pay: £35,000.00-£40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Free parking
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Referral programme

Work Location: In person