Operation Manager, Post Collection
About Cor
Founded in 1996, COR is Portland’s largest and most innovative waste and recycling company, recognized for its sustainability efforts and commitment to the local community. Our impact continues to grow as we serve more clients, engage with neighbors, and expand our diverse workforce. Recently, we’ve been in the spotlight for securing new funding, adopting cutting-edge technology, and forming exciting partnerships to divert more waste from landfills and help local businesses and governments reduce their carbon footprints. In 2023, we led the way by transitioning our fleet to R99 renewable diesel—the cleanest option available—and proudly introduced Oregon’s first fully electric garbage truck.
OUR VISION
While we’ve seen incredible growth, we always prioritize people and planet over profits. COR is committed to making our world and our community a better place for all people, and for future generations. We invest in diversity, workforce development, and forward-thinking concepts like the COR Campus innovation hub that’s creating the future of ClimateTech and Oregon’s circular economy.
OUR VALUES
Our COR Values guide us every day in the way we work and interact with each other:
Position Overview
The Post Collection Manager is a key leadership role reporting to the Director of Operations. This position is responsible for the comprehensive oversight of all post-collection activities, including transfer station operations, material recovery (MRF), and waste auditing functions. The Manager translates the Director’s strategic vision into actionable plans, manages team performance through effective Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and scorecards, and ensures operational efficiency. As a "field fill-in" leader, this role maintains a visible presence on the floor to coach Supervisors, enforce standards, and ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and operational regulations. This role is accountable for the entire employee lifecycle of their direct reports, from hiring to performance management.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Planning & Performance Management
KEY COMPETENCIES
Education & Experience
Founded in 1996, COR is Portland’s largest and most innovative waste and recycling company, recognized for its sustainability efforts and commitment to the local community. Our impact continues to grow as we serve more clients, engage with neighbors, and expand our diverse workforce. Recently, we’ve been in the spotlight for securing new funding, adopting cutting-edge technology, and forming exciting partnerships to divert more waste from landfills and help local businesses and governments reduce their carbon footprints. In 2023, we led the way by transitioning our fleet to R99 renewable diesel—the cleanest option available—and proudly introduced Oregon’s first fully electric garbage truck.
OUR VISION
While we’ve seen incredible growth, we always prioritize people and planet over profits. COR is committed to making our world and our community a better place for all people, and for future generations. We invest in diversity, workforce development, and forward-thinking concepts like the COR Campus innovation hub that’s creating the future of ClimateTech and Oregon’s circular economy.
OUR VALUES
Our COR Values guide us every day in the way we work and interact with each other:
- Committed: we are committed to excellence, we possess strong work ethic and we always do the right thing.
- Team Player: we show respect and openness to collaborate with others; we are always willing to lend a helping hand.
- Problem Solver: we think critically to identify and solve problems; we propose and implement thoughtful solutions.
- Get It Done: we focus on completing our work efficiently and on time, overcoming obstacles along the way.
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Safety equipment provided
- Vision insurance
Position Overview
The Post Collection Manager is a key leadership role reporting to the Director of Operations. This position is responsible for the comprehensive oversight of all post-collection activities, including transfer station operations, material recovery (MRF), and waste auditing functions. The Manager translates the Director’s strategic vision into actionable plans, manages team performance through effective Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and scorecards, and ensures operational efficiency. As a "field fill-in" leader, this role maintains a visible presence on the floor to coach Supervisors, enforce standards, and ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and operational regulations. This role is accountable for the entire employee lifecycle of their direct reports, from hiring to performance management.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Planning & Performance Management
- Develop and Manage Scorecards: Create and maintain operational scorecards that track key performance indicators (KPIs) for Supervisors and their teams, including processing rates, contamination levels, downtime, safety incidents, and cost-per-ton. Use scorecard data to drive performance conversations.
- Data-Driven Projections: Analyze historical data and current trends from scorecards to project future operational needs, including staffing levels, equipment requirements, and budget forecasts. Present these projections to the Director of Operations to inform strategic decision-making.
- Goal Alignment: Collaborate with the Director to establish clear, measurable goals for all post-collection departments (MRF, Transfer Station, Auditing) that align with the company's mission and sustainability objectives.
- Operational Planning: Translate high-level organizational strategy into quarterly and monthly operational plans for supervisors, ensuring clarity of purpose and resource allocation.
- Conduct weekly audits and inspections and ensure daily game plans are executed as expected.
- Supervise and Develop Leaders: Directly manage, coach, and mentor the Post Collection Supervisors (MRF, Transfer, Auditing). Conduct regular one-on-ones and performance reviews to foster their professional growth.
- Manage the Employee Lifecycle:
- Hiring: Partner with HR to recruit, interview, and select top talent for supervisors and key lead roles.
- Onboarding & Training: Oversee the development and implementation of comprehensive, non-driving training programs for all post-collection staff. Ensure training covers safety protocols, equipment operation, sorting quality, and auditing standards.
- Proactively manage team performance. When necessary, work with Supervisors and HR to develop and implement Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) for underperforming employees.
- Corrective Action: Address employee relations issues, including coaching, corrective action, and, when necessary, termination, in partnership with HR and legal guidelines.
- SLAs & Job Code Reviews: Establish and enforce Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for internal and external stakeholders. Regularly review job codes and classifications to ensure roles are accurately defined and compensated based on market data and operational needs.
- Operational Efficiency: Continuously analyze workflow, identify bottlenecks, optimize material flow, and implement process improvements to maximize throughput and recovery rates while minimizing costs.
- Field Presence & Fill-In: Maintain a regular and visible presence on the operating floor, in the yard, and at audit sites. Act as the highest-ranking "eyes on the ground," ready to step in and fill operational gaps for supervisors during absences, emergencies, or peak periods.
- Resource Management: Oversee the efficient utilization of equipment and personnel. Monitor equipment utilization rates and coordinate with maintenance on preventive and reactive repairs to minimize downtime.
- Quality Control: Ensure the quality of sorted materials and the accuracy of waste audit data meets or exceeds internal standards and market specifications.
- Oversee and audit compliance, ensure supervisors are managing schedules and breaks correctly to prevent violations and promote safety. Perform daily payroll approval.
- Safety & Environmental Stewardship: Champion a culture of safety and environmental compliance. Ensure all post-collection activities adhere to OSHA, DOT, EPA, and local regulations. Review incident reports and ensure corrective actions are implemented effectively.
- Policy Enforcement: Ensure consistent enforcement of all company policies, safety protocols, and operational procedures across all post-collection teams.
- Budget Ownership: Assist the Director of Operations in developing the annual budget for post-collection operations. Manage approved budgets, monitor expenditures, and identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising safety or efficiency.
- P&L Accountability: Understand and influence the key drivers of the post-collection Profit & Loss statement, such as labor productivity, equipment costs, and material revenue/tipping fees.
- Executive Reporting: Prepare and deliver regular reports to the Director of Operations, summarizing operational performance against scorecard goals, project updates, budget status, and key challenges or opportunities.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with the EHS to align on safety initiatives, with the Sales team on material quality and customer requirements, and with Maintenance to prioritize equipment repairs and overhauls.
- Data Integrity: Ensure accurate data collection and reporting across all post-collection functions, from scale house tickets to waste audit findings.
KEY COMPETENCIES
- Strategic & Analytical Leadership: Ability to see the big picture, translate strategy into operational plans, and use data (scorecards, projections) to drive decisions and performance.
- Talent Management Expertise: Proven skill in managing the full employee lifecycle, recruiting, training, developing, and holding leaders accountable.
- Operational & Financial Acumen: Deep understanding of industrial operations, workflow efficiency, and budget management.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of safety (OSHA), environmental (EPA), and transportation (DOT/HOS) regulations.
- Decisive & Resilient: Ability to make tough decisions regarding personnel (PIPs, terminations) and operations under pressure.
- Exceptional Communication: Skilled at communicating clearly and effectively with frontline staff, management, and external partners
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, Engineering, Business Management, Logistics, or a related field required; Master's degree preferred.
- Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in waste management, recycling, heavy industrial, or logistics operations required.
- Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in a management role, directly supervising other supervisors or managers.
- Valid driver's license with a clean driving record required.
- Certifications from SWANA (Solid Waste Association of North America) or similar industry bodies highly preferred.
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP) or other relevant safety certifications are a plus.
- Physical: Ability to stand, walk, and climb ladders for extended periods during site visits; capable of lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally.
- Environment: Comfortable working in and around outdoor industrial environments with exposure to noise, dust, odors, and varying weather conditions.
- Schedule: Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including occasional weekends and holidays, and be available to respond to operational emergencies after hours.
- Travel: Ability to travel regularly between local facilities and occasionally to other regional sites as needed.