Meet the Reconomy Team ““ Darryl Daniels

Job title: Operations Supervisor
Daily number of hot beverages consumed: Provided everyone pitches in for the tea round, 5 per day.
Accompanying biscuit of choice: Any kind of shortbread or Fox’s Jam Creams. Other brands are available, but they’re not as good!
How long have you worked at Reconomy?
I’m a long serving Reconomist’, having been with the company for just over 10 years now. I started out on the phones, working as a call handler within the housebuilding team, before quickly moving into the role of account co-ordinator, and then on to the operations team.
In 2011 my family and I decided to relocate to Portsmouth and I was fortunate enough to be able to continue working for Reconomy as an external contracts manager, looking after clients including Balfour Beatty and Morgan Sindall. As much as I enjoyed working externally, life on the road can be a little lonely at times and I missed the comradeship and banter that you get from an office environment. So, when my family and I moved back to Telford in April 2016 I returned to an office-based role.
What are your core responsibilities?
Day to day, I’m responsible for managing the operations and supplier portal teams, both of which work extremely closely with Reconomy’s numerous supply chain partners.
The operations team sets procurement rates for all non-hazardous waste collection methods ““ so we work with our suppliers to establish price points for skips and other waste containers. The supplier portal team is responsible for ensuring that data collected by our suppliers is inputted quickly and accurately into the Reconomy Portal.
Our customers rely greatly on fast waste data, so it’s my job to ensure that our suppliers are making it available as close to real-time as possible.
How do you make a difference everyday?
I think I’ve been at Reconomy long enough and worked in enough different departments to know my way around the business. Consequently, I have a lot of empathy with many of our internal teams, as well as our customers, and appreciate the daily challenges they face. I will therefore always go out of my way to help my colleagues wherever and whenever possible.
How is the changing face of the waste industry directly impacting upon Reconomy and your job role?
The waste industry has undergone massive changes. 10 years ago, the entire industry was motivated purely by price and making the disposal of waste as cheap as possible. Landfill tax changed everything because it massively increased the cost of putting waste into the ground and forced companies to take a more forward-thinking approach.
This has led to a pretty dramatic change in mindset and now many big businesses use waste to reinforce their own sustainability credentials. If you operate a zero to landfill’ policy, then it’s perceived to be something to be proud of and to shout about. This has upped the pressure on us to deliver better results for our clients, but this is something we welcome. Our willingness to innovate has allowed us to grow into the business we are today.
What did you do before you joined Reconomy?
When I joined Reconomy I didn’t come from a waste background and was entirely new to the industry. That said, I’ve always worked within customer services or sales-based roles and many of these skills are transferable regardless of the industry you work in. I’ve previously worked in front-end sales within retail environments as well as service desk’ roles for companies such as VW. To be successful in this type of job you must be a people person and like dealing with the general public. I’m fortunate in that it’s always been something that I’m good at and enjoy doing.
What one possession could you never live without and why?
If you’re asking me what I could never live without then first and foremost it would have to be my family. I feel so lucky to have such an amazing wife and incredible children.
If it was an actual possession, I’d probably choose a watch. I hate being late for anything and feel completely lost if I don’t know what the time is. I also appreciate the intricacies and tiny details that go into making analogue watches, particularly high-end watches. One day I’d love to own a Breitling, which is about as much as I could legitimately spend on a watch without my wife shouting at me!
What is the best thing about your job?
Without doubt the people. I know it sounds clichéd but I work with and for very good people, which makes it a pleasure to come to work every day. I also enjoy the regular engagement that I have with Reconomy’s many suppliers. Over the years I’ve built up some fantastic professional relationships, which has been very rewarding.