Customer Operations Apprentice

Company Overview

Re-Gen group is a £100m business, which began its journey in 2004 as an integrated recycling and waste management company. The Group now comprises a Robotic Tank cleaning company (Re-Gen Robotics), an offsite prefabricated bathroom pod manufacturing company (Connex Offsite Ltd) and a Tiltrotator Manufacturer (Versaffix). These companies are part of a dynamic family-owned business with a track record of success, achieved by our ethos of competitiveness through continual improvement.

Role Purpose

Re-Gen Waste is seeking a Customer Operations Apprentice (Degree Apprentice) to support the delivery of high-quality customer services across our waste management and recycling operations. This role is designed for individuals who are passionate about customer experience, sustainability, operational excellence, and actively contributing to business growth and commercial success.

The role plays a key part in supporting Re-Gen’s business development objectives by strengthening customer relationships, improving service performance, and identifying opportunities to expand and enhance customer services. The apprentice will work closely with Customer Operations, Commercial, and Business Development teams to support customer retention, contract performance, upselling of services, and the development of value-added, sustainability-led solutions.

Through hands-on operational experience and academic study with Ulster University, the apprentice will develop the leadership and commercial capability required to translate customer insights and operational data into business development opportunities, support tender responses and proposals, and contribute to Re-Gen’s growth within the waste management and circular economy sectors. This role provides a clear pathway into future business development, commercial, or customer-focused leadership roles within the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Customer Operations, Service Excellence & Business Development Support

• Support the day-to-day delivery of customer operations across Re-Gen’s waste, recycling, and resource recovery services
• Act as a key point of contact for customers, including local authorities, commercial clients, and partners
• Manage and resolve customer queries, service requests, and escalations in line with SLAs
• Promote clear, accurate communication with customers regarding service delivery, compliance, and sustainability outcomes
• Use customer feedback to help enhance service quality and customer satisfaction
• Build strong, long-term customer relationships that support customer retention and repeat business
• Identify opportunities to add value for customers through enhanced services, process improvements, or sustainability-led solutions
• Support the Business Development and Commercial teams by providing customer insights, service data, and operational input for proposals and tenders

Leadership & People Management

• Assist in leading and supporting customer service and operational teams
• Help coach and develop colleagues to deliver professional, customer-focused service
• Encourage a strong health, safety, and environmental culture within customer operations
• Contribute to team engagement, performance reviews, and skills development
• Promote a commercially aware mindset within the team, balancing excellent service delivery with efficiency and value creation

Operational Performance, Continuous Improvement & Commercial Insight

• Monitor customer service performance metrics and operational KPIs
• Analyse data to identify trends, service issues, and opportunities for improvement
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, quality, and environmental performance
• Contribute to the development and review of customer-facing processes and procedures
• Use operational and customer data to support service costing, pricing considerations, and business case development
• Highlight opportunities to improve profitability and operational effectiveness without compromising customer experience

Sustainability, Compliance, Stakeholder Engagement & Market Positioning

• Support customers in understanding waste legislation, recycling requirements, and compliance standards
• Promote Re-Gen’s sustainability objectives and circular economy initiatives
• Work collaboratively with internal teams to ensure customer services align with operational capabilities
• Maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with environmental and regulatory requirements
• Act as a positive ambassador for Re-Gen, strengthening the company’s reputation and competitive position within the market

Apprenticeship & Professional Development

• Fully engage with the Ulster University degree apprenticeship programme
• Apply academic learning to real-life operational, customer, and business development challenges at Re-Gen
• Complete work-based projects linked to customer operations, leadership, service improvement, and commercial growth
• Build professional competence in leadership, customer strategy, business development awareness, and operational management

Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours

Knowledge

• Customer operations within environmental and waste management services
• Leadership and team management principles
• Customer experience and service improvement methodologies
• Data analysis and performance management
• Environmental compliance and sustainability practices
• Fundamentals of business development, customer retention, and value-added services

Skills

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Problem-solving and decision-making ability
• Team leadership and collaboration
• Time management and organisational skills
• Ability to interpret operational and customer data
• Commercial awareness and ability to identify growth opportunities

Behaviours

• Strong customer and stakeholder focus
• Commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility
• Professional, ethical, and safety-conscious approach
• Resilient and adaptable in a fast-moving operational environment
• Motivated to learn, develop, and contribute to business growth and customer expansion

Entry Requirements

• GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and Maths (or willingness to achieve Level 2)
• Meets Ulster University apprenticeship entry requirements
• Strong interest in business development, customer service, leadership, and sustainability

Progression Opportunities

On successful completion of the apprenticeship, progression opportunities may include:

• Business Development or Commercial Roles
• Customer Operations
• Service Delivery
• Customer Experience
• Operations or Continuous Improvement

Benefits:

• Canteen
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Life insurance
• On-site gym
• On-site parking
• Referral programme

Re-Gen is an equal opportunities employer whom employs a workforce with members from all sections of the community and is committed to appointing candidates purely based on merit.