Operations Scheduler

About The Role

Panda is seeking an Operations Scheduler to ensure the smooth, safe, and efficient execution of waste collection operations. This crucial coordination role involves supporting the timely collection, transport, and disposal of waste for a diverse customer base. You will collaborate closely with drivers, operations staff, maintenance teams, customer service, and sales departments to optimize route planning, meet service commitments, and promptly address any issues. As an Operations Scheduler, you will be integral to the daily operational flow, adeptly balancing customer needs, driver communications, vehicle availability, route modifications, and regulatory compliance within a dynamic environment.

What you’ll be doing

• Plan, assign, and adjust daily waste collection routes to maximize efficiency and service delivery.
• Utilize route planning and optimization systems to develop effective routes, considering traffic, weather, and collection schedules.
• Create and manage collection schedules for both residential and commercial clients.
• Ensure accurate scheduling of regular collections and special service requests.
• Modify schedules to accommodate holidays, vehicle breakdowns, urgent requests, or operational disruptions.
• Maintain consistent communication with drivers to facilitate timely collections.
• Provide drivers with clear route instructions, customer-specific requirements, and updates on potential hazards.
• Manage real-time adjustments to routes, schedules, and driver activities.
• Serve as a primary contact for customer inquiries, missed collections, and service-related issues.
• Collaborate with field teams to resolve complaints and service requests efficiently and professionally.
• Inform customers about delays, route changes, or rescheduled services as needed.
• Monitor vehicle locations using GPS and tracking systems.
• Track route progress, driver performance, fuel consumption, and adherence to routes.
• Respond promptly to breakdowns, missed pickups, accidents, traffic delays, or adverse weather conditions.
• Reassign resources or alter routes to maintain service continuity during disruptions.
• Support adherence to relevant waste management, transport, and environmental regulations.
• Promote safe working practices and report any incidents, accidents, or safety concerns.
• Maintain precise records of routes, collections, fuel usage, maintenance activities, and driver hours.
• Support internal reporting, invoicing, and compliance requirements through accurate data entry.
• Work closely with operations and maintenance teams to schedule vehicle repairs and servicing.
• Help ensure vehicles are roadworthy, properly equipped, and ready for dispatch.
• Monitor vehicle loads to prevent exceeding weight limits.
• Coordinate deliveries with transfer stations, landfills, and recycling facilities.
• Liaise with sales, customer service, recycling, and hazardous waste teams to fulfill customer commitments and ensure correct waste handling.
• Effectively use dispatch systems, GPS tracking tools, and communication platforms.
• Support drivers with in-cab technology and mobile applications.
• Attend meetings as required and act as a positive representative for Panda.

What we’re looking for

• Previous experience in transport coordination, scheduling, route planning, dispatch, logistics, waste management, or a comparable operational role.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Clear and confident communication abilities, particularly when interacting with drivers, customers, and internal teams.
• Strong attention to detail and proficiency in maintaining accurate records.
• A calm and practical approach to problem-solving in a fast-paced operational setting.
• Proficiency in using systems, tracking tools, spreadsheets, or dispatch platforms.
• Capacity to make swift, sound decisions when schedules or priorities shift.
• A strong customer-centric mindset and the ability to professionally resolve service issues.
• Awareness of health, safety, compliance, and environmental responsibilities.
• A team-oriented attitude and a willingness to support broader operational needs.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package.
• Permanent, full-time employment.
• 20 days of annual leave.
• Access to training and development programs.
• Opportunities for career advancement within Panda.

This Operations Scheduler position is ideal for an individual who thrives on problem-solving, excels at coordinating people and resources, and plays a vital role in maintaining essential services. It presents an excellent opportunity for someone seeking a practical, high-paced role where they can significantly impact daily operations, customer service, and overall organizational efficiency.

About Us

We are Panda, a company that values waste as a resource. Our work extends beyond simple bin collection; we are dedicated to discovering innovative, secure, and sustainable methods for recycling and repurposing materials. Over the past three decades, Panda has evolved into a premier resource recovery business, uniting nearly 3,000 employees across various brands under a unified vision and robust values. Our diverse operations share a common purpose: safeguarding our people, supporting our customers, and fostering positive impacts on the communities and environments we serve. At Panda, our employees are paramount. We operate as a cohesive team, leveraging diverse skills, experiences, and perspectives to achieve collective goals. We prioritize mutual well-being, encourage personal development, and support professional growth, recognizing that our collective strength is our greatest asset. We are committed to operational excellence, driven by high standards, innovative thinking, and continuous improvement. We challenge the status quo, place safety above all else, and embrace new ideas while delivering practical, cost-effective solutions that propel our business forward. We take ownership of our work, from daily tasks to major projects, taking pride in our contributions and accountability for outcomes. We proactively address challenges as a team. Our expertise, dependability, and commitment define us and the difference we make. Above all, we operate with integrity and trust. Trust is cultivated through open communication, honesty, and accountability, enabling us to act decisively, make confident choices, and achieve results, confident that our team is empowered to do the right thing. Our growth trajectory relies on talented, dedicated individuals eager to make a meaningful impact. Take the initiative and join us on this journey. Panda is dedicated to building and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce that mirrors the communities we serve and the people we assist.