One thing I've used is to make whoever causes the operator problems members of another character's gang/hold/cult.

Then when the Operator's scavenging and can't find anything it's because the Hocus' cult have been through the area like a horde of locusts. When he's bushwacked while making a delivery it's because some of the Chopper's gang saw an opportunity for some easy cash. When he's shut out it's because some of the hold's population did it cheaper.

Another one is offer another character a chance to do something to undercut the Operator:

"Sally comes and sees you: 'Hey, Fixit, I've asked Sway to source some spares for my electric loom. But she's got her crew's costs to cover and wants my first born for it: Can you knock something up cheaper?' "

In a nutshell look for opportunities for other character's or (even better) other character's followers to screw over the Operator. It gives the characters another thing to get annoyed with each other over.

Cheers,

Ash