POSTED: 6th November 2026
STARTING DATE: As soon as possible
FULL TIME: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
MISSION TO METRICS
The mission of The Ocean Cleanup is to develop and scale technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic. Our goal is to scale up and tackle the 1000 most polluting rivers around the world. Working in the River team, your goal will be to optimize the operation of our solutions together with our partners. With your operational background, technical insight, and international experience, you will help us intercept as much plastic as possible.
THE ASSIGNMENT
We are looking for a River Operations Manager in Metro Manila, Philippines with a technical background to supervise, report & communicate on the river cleanup operations in Manila. You have a hands-on mentality with excellent people skills, an eye for detail as well as proficient computer/MS skills.
As a Rivers Operations Manager, you are closely supervising the day-to-day operations of our Interceptor solutions in the Manila Bay Region (Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite), Philippines. Your main objective is to ensure our waste extractions are ongoing day-to-day, supervising the operator, daily reporting of data for the extraction, in general work closely with the current operations manager. Special focus is on safety of people and equipment.
In addition, The Ocean Cleanup is preparing to scale and thus shall realize more river waste extraction projects in the near future for which we seek support in the execution of new projects. Tasks will comprise mainly to support the local operations, supply chain and business development teams.
The ideal candidate has experience in technical operations in and around water bodies, has an intrinsic motivation to clean up the rivers, is energized by operational excellence with strong focus on QHSE matters.
x`RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Local RIVER OPERATIONS MANAGER within the Deployment & Operations department, you are responsible for:
Support operations in Meycauayan & the Southern Cluster Sites (70%):
“Even if you don’t meet every professional qualification listed, we strongly encourage you to apply if you believe you have the right skills, experience, and motivation to contribute to our mission. We recognize that talent and potential come in many forms, and we value diverse perspectives and unconventional career paths. If you’re passionate about the work we do and confident in your ability to make an impact, don’t hesitate to submit your application—we’d love to hear from you”
STARTING DATE: As soon as possible
FULL TIME: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
MISSION TO METRICS
The mission of The Ocean Cleanup is to develop and scale technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic. Our goal is to scale up and tackle the 1000 most polluting rivers around the world. Working in the River team, your goal will be to optimize the operation of our solutions together with our partners. With your operational background, technical insight, and international experience, you will help us intercept as much plastic as possible.
THE ASSIGNMENT
We are looking for a River Operations Manager in Metro Manila, Philippines with a technical background to supervise, report & communicate on the river cleanup operations in Manila. You have a hands-on mentality with excellent people skills, an eye for detail as well as proficient computer/MS skills.
As a Rivers Operations Manager, you are closely supervising the day-to-day operations of our Interceptor solutions in the Manila Bay Region (Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite), Philippines. Your main objective is to ensure our waste extractions are ongoing day-to-day, supervising the operator, daily reporting of data for the extraction, in general work closely with the current operations manager. Special focus is on safety of people and equipment.
In addition, The Ocean Cleanup is preparing to scale and thus shall realize more river waste extraction projects in the near future for which we seek support in the execution of new projects. Tasks will comprise mainly to support the local operations, supply chain and business development teams.
The ideal candidate has experience in technical operations in and around water bodies, has an intrinsic motivation to clean up the rivers, is energized by operational excellence with strong focus on QHSE matters.
As a Local RIVER OPERATIONS MANAGER within the Deployment & Operations department, you are responsible for:
Support operations in Meycauayan & the Southern Cluster Sites (70%):
- Help with the day-to-day running of the Interceptor System and waste management together with the operator.
- Visit the Interceptor site daily to supervise operations.
- Ensure Health & Safety procedures are adhered to by the site operators.
- Gather data from all operations.
- Actively report issues, help solve them, and look for ways to improve ongoing projects with your colleagues.
- Oversee the work of local subcontractors.
- Report on project progress following The Ocean Cleanup internal processes.
- Daily reporting and data collection for each site of extracted waste, incidents, downtime; as well as other KPIs.
- Actively pursue safe operations and report incidents / near misses.
- Coordinate locally with the implementation partner and the Project Manager.
- Join internal and external project meetings related with new projects implementation.
- Help with research activities by coordinating logistics between the operator and academic partners (e.g. installing cameras, arranging access to sites and the Interceptor).
- Work closely with the Cluster Operations Manager, Project Manager, and Procurement and Finance teams to keep contracts, purchase orders, and payments on track.
“Even if you don’t meet every professional qualification listed, we strongly encourage you to apply if you believe you have the right skills, experience, and motivation to contribute to our mission. We recognize that talent and potential come in many forms, and we value diverse perspectives and unconventional career paths. If you’re passionate about the work we do and confident in your ability to make an impact, don’t hesitate to submit your application—we’d love to hear from you”
- Minimum 3-5 years of relevant work experience in an operational role in the maritime world or river civil works.
- Experience with repair and maintenance or asset management is preferred.
- Experience of working in Metro Manila and understanding of the key stakeholders.
- Pragmatic, coordinating, follow up third parties in specific assessments.
- Proficiency using MS Office/ Projects.
- Reporting and gathering quality data.
- Fluent in Filipino and English.
- A valid driver’s license & ability to travel to site for work.
- You are a practical person with good foresight.
- You have excellent communication and social skills, including a strong cultural awareness and ability to communicate on all levels (operator to political).
- You are strict with suppliers and operators to ensure work is executed as agreed.
- You like to mix up your routine, from complex challenges to day-to-day firefights.
- Seeing improvements over time in both systems and people is what drives you.
- You have an intrinsic motivation to work on our ambitious and meaningful mission.
- Start Date: As Soon As Possible
- This role is based in Manila, Philippines. Residency permit or ability to work in the country are required. Priority will be given to applicants residing in Manila.
- Conducting a pre-employment check may be part of this recruitment process.
- At The Ocean Cleanup, we believe we are stronger together, while harnessing the uniqueness everyone brings. That is why we take a fair, equal opportunity, and transparent approach to hiring and welcome special needs requests.