Plant Manager-waste materials recycling

This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for full operational ownership of a high-volume Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). The successful candidate will drive performance across safety, efficiency, cost control, and team leadership in a fast-paced, industrial environment.

This opportunity is ideal for a hands-on, floor-driven leader who thrives under pressure, leads from the front, and delivers measurable results through operational discipline and continuous improvement.

Position Overview

Reporting into senior operations leadership, the Plant Manager is accountable for the end-to-end performance of the facility, including inbound/outbound flow, processing operations, team leadership, and financial performance.

This role requires a balance of strategic oversight and hands-on execution, with a strong focus on building a high-performing team and driving operational excellence.

Key ResponsibilitiesOperational Leadership

• Oversee all aspects of daily plant operations including receiving, sorting, processing, and outbound logistics
• Drive throughput, efficiency, and cost optimization across all operational functions
• Reduce handling costs and improve turnaround times for inbound and outbound vehicles
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance productivity and reliability

Continuous Improvement

• Lead structured problem-solving initiatives and drive a culture of continuous improvement
• Identify and eliminate waste to improve process flow and equipment utilization
• Implement operational metrics and KPIs to monitor and improve performance
• Champion Lean principles and operational discipline across the site

Safety & Compliance

• Promote and enforce a safety-first culture across all operations
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory, environmental, and operational standards
• Lead safety meetings, training initiatives, and incident prevention strategies

Financial & Performance Management

• Manage site-level budgets and monitor performance against targets
• Analyze operational data and drive cost-saving initiatives
• Ensure alignment between operational execution and financial performance

Leadership & Team Development

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing team of supervisors and frontline employees
• Drive accountability, engagement, and performance across all levels of the operation
• Support hiring, training, succession planning, and performance management
• Foster a collaborative, results-driven culture

Facility & Stakeholder Management

• Ensure facility cleanliness, maintenance, and operational readiness
• Oversee preventive maintenance programs and site inspections
• Act as a key point of contact for internal stakeholders, customers, and community partners

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred (or equivalent experience)
• Minimum 7+ years of operations leadership experience in manufacturing, industrial, logistics, or processing environments
• Proven experience managing large teams in fast-paced, high-volume environments
• Strong operational and financial acumen with a track record of driving performance
• Experience in continuous improvement / Lean methodologies strongly preferred

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $130,000.00-$140,000.00 per year

Benefits

• Dental care
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision care

Application question(s):

• Enter your email
• Available time for call

Experience

• operations leadership in Materials Recovery Facility: 7 years (required)

Work Location: On the road