Waste Collection Operations Manager

Waste Collection Operations Manager

Waste Universe

Full-Time | Salaried | In-Person

Waste Universe is a growing waste hauling company seeking a hands-on Waste Collection Operations Manager to oversee our drivers, collection routes, fleet, and day-to-day field operations.

We are looking for someone who understands trucking and waste collection, can effectively manage drivers, stays ahead of equipment and staffing problems, and takes ownership of making sure every route gets completed.

This is a hands-on management position. The Operations Manager will be expected to be actively involved with drivers, trucks, routing, maintenance, and daily problem-solving—not simply manage the operation from a desk.

Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise garbage truck drivers
• Oversee daily residential and commercial waste collection routes
• Assign drivers and trucks based on routes, staffing, equipment availability, and workload
• Ensure routes are completed safely, efficiently, and on schedule
• Handle driver call-outs, breakdowns, missed stops, route delays, and other day-to-day operational problems
• Monitor driver attendance, performance, productivity, safety, and professionalism
• Recruit, interview, onboard, and train new drivers as needed
• Conduct driver safety meetings and enforce company policies and operating procedures
• Perform regular inspections of trucks and equipment
• Ensure drivers properly complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections and report defects
• Coordinate preventative maintenance and repairs with mechanics and outside repair shops
• Maintain adequate truck availability and coordinate backup equipment when necessary
• Ensure compliance with DOT, commercial vehicle, and company safety requirements
• Stay up to date with local permits
• Maintain appropriate vehicle, driver, inspection, and safety records
• Monitor fuel usage, disposal activity, dump tickets, labor hours, and other operating costs
• Investigate accidents, property damage, customer complaints, and safety incidents
• Improve routes to reduce overtime, fuel consumption, unnecessary mileage, and missed pickups
• Assist with container inventory and deployment
• Help develop and improve operating procedures as the company grows
• Respond to urgent operational issues when necessary
• Manage vendor relations and reduce OPEX

Qualifications

We are looking for candidates with experience in waste hauling, garbage collection, trucking, fleet management, logistics, or another hands-on transportation operation.

Strong candidates should have:

• Previous experience managing drivers or commercial trucking operations
• Knowledge of rear-load, front-load, side-load, or similar refuse collection equipment
• General understanding of commercial truck maintenance and common mechanical problems
• Familiarity with DOT and commercial vehicle safety requirements
• Strong leadership and employee management skills
• Ability to hold employees accountable while maintaining a professional work environment
• Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to make quick decisions when routes, trucks, or staffing do not go according to plan
• Basic proficiency with computers, GPS, routing software, email, and spreadsheets
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record

CDL strongly preferred.

Previous waste collection or refuse industry experience is strongly preferred.

Diesel mechanics knowledge strongly preferred.

Schedule

This is a full-time salaried management position.

The position is primarily Monday through Friday and requires early morning availability to oversee route starts and daily operations.

Some Saturdays are required based on the collection schedule, holidays, operational needs, staffing, weather, or other circumstances.

The Operations Manager must also be reasonably available to respond to occasional after-hours operational issues such as breakdowns, staffing problems, or service disruptions.

Compensation

Salaried position with compensation based on experience and qualifications.

Compensation will reflect previous management experience, waste industry experience, CDL qualifications, and knowledge of commercial trucks and fleet operations.

Pay: $80,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person