Job Title: Recycling Manager
Line Manager: Head of Operations
Overall Purpose
Podback’s vision is to create “a world where every coffee pod enjoyed is recycled.” Providing consumers with convenient, accessible ways to recycle through a national drop-off network is critical to achieving this.
The Recycling Manager is responsible for developing and maintaining strong relationships with Podback’s retail collection partners, ensuring they continue to deliver excellent operational performance and customer service.
They are the primary account manager for Podback’s retail partners, including Morrisons, Asda, Co-op and Costa Coffee. Working closely with retailer contacts, operational partners and the wider Podback team, they ensures programmes are effectively managed, issues are resolved quickly and opportunities for continuous improvement are identified and implemented.
In addition, the Recycling Manager will support the delivery of Podback's long-term vision to establish coffee pod collections at the kerbside across the UK. Working alongside the Head of Operations and industry partners, they will help develop relationships with Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), local authorities and waste management companies to support the rollout of future kerbside collection schemes.
The successful candidate will have experience within the recycling or resource management sector, ideally with knowledge of local authority collection systems or retail recycling programmes. They will be confident managing senior stakeholder relationships, discussing operational and contractual matters, and presenting performance information in a clear and professional manner.
The Recycling Manager is an ambassador for Podback and its members, promoting the benefits of coffee pod recycling and maintaining positive relationships with all partners.
Duties & Responsibilities
The Recycling Manager is responsible for managing Podback's national retailer collection programmes, ensuring that schemes operate efficiently and within agreed contractual and financial parameters.
They work closely with retailers, logistics providers, recycling partners and Podback colleagues, to ensure excellent customer service, high operational standards and continuous programme improvement.
1. Manage retail partner relationships
• Act as the primary account manager for strategic retail partners, including Morrisons, Asda and Costa.
• Lead regular account reviews, maintain effective communication and resolve enquiries or service issues promptly.
• Identify opportunities to improve programme performance, strengthen partnerships and support service development or contract renewals.
2. Manage operational performance and reporting
• Monitor performance against agreed KPIs, contractual commitments and service standards across the retail collection network.
• Prepare regular operational reports for retail partners and internal stakeholders, maintaining accurate programme records and documentation.
3. Develop Podback’s future collection network
• Support delivery of Podback’s long-term strategy to expand coffee pod collections through kerbside recycling.
• Build and maintain relationships with Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), local authorities, waste management companies and other relevant stakeholders.
• Support the planning, mobilisation and implementation of future kerbside collection programmes.
4. Manage contractual relationships
• Maintain a detailed understanding of retail collection contracts, operational obligations and agreed service requirements and resolve any contractual or operational issues
• Support contract reviews, variations, operational planning and capacity management across the collection network.
5. Represent Podback externally
• Attend retailer meetings, industry events and conferences as required to promote Podback and its objectives to recycling and retail sectors.
• Deliver presentations and programme updates to stakeholders.
6. Financial Control
- Support the effective management of retail programme budgets.
- Monitor operational expenditure where appropriate.
- Review and approve invoices in accordance with company procedures.
- Ensure personal expenses comply with company policy.
7. Leadership
- Develop collaborative relationships with retailers, contractors and colleagues.
- Influence stakeholders to achieve shared programme objectives.
- Demonstrate a proactive, customer-focused approach to partnership management.
- Ensure programme information and account records remain accurate and up to date.
Person specification: Experience, Skills and Qualifications
- At least 5 years’ experience working within the recycling, waste or resource management sector.
- Ideally experience working with or alongside local authorities or national recycling programmes.
- Demonstrable experience managing key customer or partner relationships.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- A good understanding of UK local authority waste collection systems, Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and the wider recycling infrastructure would be advantageous.
- Ability to discuss operational performance and contractual matters confidently with senior stakeholders.
- Strong analytical skills with experience preparing reports and presenting performance information.
- Excellent organisational and project coordination skills.
- Self-motivated with strong problem-solving ability.
- Competent in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
- Full clean UK driving licence.
- Ability to travel throughout the UK.
Please apply with CV and covering letter to: recruitment@podback.org
Location: Home-based, within Southwest England
Salary: £35,000 - £43,000 pa, plus up to 10% performance bonus
Contract: Full time, permanent (on completion of probationary period)
Closing date: Friday 16th October 2026 at 5pm