A Day in the Life of… EnviroServ National Commercial Manager: On-Site

This post is part of EnviroServ’s ‘Day in the Life’ series, a tell-all account from the people who ensure that EnviroServ keeps on raising the waste game. Below, we delve into the daily tasks and duties of?our National Commercial Manager: On-Site, Yolandi Kruger.

What enticed you to work for the waste industry?

I was a school teacher looking for a new challenge and felt that there was something bigger out there for me. I knew that I could be successful in the corporate world as I am extremely hard working and determined to make a difference. A recruitment company said EnviroServ was looking for someone to run their schools recycling programme. I knew nothing about waste management or recycling at that stage, but I thought this is my foot in the door. I came for my interview at EnviroServ and even though I had no knowledge of the industry, my experience as a teacher was enough for the company to take a chance on me. I worked hard and proved myself and received my first promotion within six months. From there I grew to love the waste industry and the challenges it presented. What qualifications did you need for the role?

My qualification as a teacher got me the position, but I think my honours degree in psychology makes me a good sales person and helped me grow my career as quickly as I did. It taught me how to read people and I am able to approach them in a way they find favourable.

What does your typical day look like?

I am fortunate enough to have a great team reporting in to me so my day consists of helping them, assisting in finding solutions for challenges we might be experiencing on customers site and finding new and innovative ways of managing customers waste. I am also busy putting tenders together and always looking for new customers.

What are the biggest challenges of the job?

Trying to find alternative solutions to landfill is one of the biggest challenges my team and I face. We often deal with clients who have high expectations when it comes to their problematic waste streams and we are not always able to offer the solutions they require immediately. The waste industry is also a tough industry to be in and being the national commercial manager means I am constantly under pressure to get new business.

What are the biggest rewards?

?I can honestly say that I enjoy my job and love what I do. Every day is new and exciting and I have not been bored one day since I started 8 years ago. I get to visit different sites and people and see their processes and how things are made and I find this extremely interesting. Taking a site from a total mess to a clean, well organised site and most importantly, reducing waste to landfill brings me great joy, and I feel like I have made the difference I long to make.

Do you have any advice for someone who wants to work in your field within the waste industry?

Go for it! Put your head down and work hard and you will reap the rewards. It won’t be easy, the waste industry is tough, but if you are someone that likes a challenge and can handle the pressure, the waste industry will change your life.