Local Operations Manager, Indonesia (Bekasi)

POSTED: 13th May 2026
STARTING DATE: As soon as possible
FULL TIME, GREATER JAKARTA AREA, INDONESIA

MISSION TO METRICS

The Ocean Cleanup is a global nonprofit that develops and scales solutions to rid the world’s oceans of plastic, driving systemic change, and creating a lasting positive impact for people, wildlife, and the planet. One part of the solution is to design, develop, and deploy cleanup systems to stop plastic from reaching our oceans by intercepting it in rivers.
We are seeking a Local Operations Manager to support our Indonesia team in the implementation of river deployment projects aimed at achieving successful plastic interception.

THE ASSIGNMENT

As a Local Operations Manager, you’ll oversee the day-to-day running of an Interceptor System and work to keep everything performing at its best. You will be working closely with locally hired operators, but also liaising with government representatives and suppliers. Using your technical skills and project management experience, you’ll help operate and monitor the Interceptors in Bekasi Regency.
This is not an office based role, most of your time you’ll spend in the field, at our operation locations.
In the first months, your assignment might expand also to Tangerang Regency and the City of Jakarta, but ultimately your area will be the Bekasi Regency. You will work closely with The Ocean Cleanup's Operations Team in Rotterdam as well as the Indonesia project management team. The Local Operations Manager will report to the Cluster Operations Manager located in Indonesia. RESPONSIBILITIES

As a local operations manager within the Deployment & Operations department, you are responsible for:

Support operations of the Interceptor during ramp-up phase(50%):

• 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 feedback from operations and join project meetings.
• Actively report issues, help solve them, and look for ways to improve ongoing projects with your colleagues.
• Oversee the work of local subcontractors.

Procurement & logistics activities (20%):

• Coordinate the use of local suppliers and subcontractors to support daily operations.
• Work closely with the Cluster Operations Manager, Project Manager, and Procurement and Finance teams to keep contracts, purchase orders, and payments on track.
• Help manage customs clearance with the procurement team and operators to prevent delays in operations.

Support implementation of project’s activities (20%)

• Coordinate locally with the implementation partner and the Project Manager in Indonesia.
• Join meetings when needed to support improvements in waste management.
• Help with research activities by coordinating logistics between the operator and academic partners (e.g. installing cameras, arranging access to sites and the Interceptor).

Support communication and fundraising activities when required (5%)

• Support the organization of fundraising activities in collaboration with our team in Rotterdam.
• Assist in arrangements for visits to the Interceptor by funders and other interested parties.

Reporting to Cluster operations manager and Project manager (5%)

• Report on project progress following The Ocean Cleanup internal processes.
• Contribute to develop project budget & planning for operations activities.
• Actively pursue safe operations and report incidents / near misses.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

“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”

• A relevant technical degree (e.g., mechanical, electrical, naval, civil, waste management or similar)
• 3 to 7 years of experience in an operational or project management role
• Experience with working in the field operations
• Understanding of local governmental ecosystems and key stakeholders is a big plus
• Knowledge of waste management strategies and Indonesian waste management challenges is a big plus
• Experience in implementing and monitoring Health & Safety procedures and standards
• Experience with MS Office
• Experience or familiarity with procurement activities and/or subcontractors management is a plus
• Proficiency in both Bahasa Indonesia and English, both verbal and written

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Team player – enjoys sharing knowledge and communicating key information and findings.
• Flexible and adaptable – comfortable with changing priorities, uncertainty, and flexible working hours.
• Enjoys a field-based role – this is not an office-based position; most of the work takes place on-site at operational locations.
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment – able to handle challenges and shifting scopes effectively.
• Strong communicator – able to clearly convey ideas and collaborate with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Curious and hands-on – creative, proactive, and willing to take initiative and execute tasks independently.
• Availability for frequent travel, mostly in Greater Jakarta Area to project location, but also abroad at least once per year (visit to the HQ in Rotterdam)

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• Starting date: as soon as possible.
• This role is based in Indonesia, Bekasi area. Residency permit, or ability, to work in the country is required.
• As a non-profit organization, our salaries reflect our reliance on donations rather than commercial salaries.
• Conducting a pre-employment check is part of our recruitment process.
• We welcome applications from diverse backgrounds and are committed to an equal opportunity hiring process.