Operations Manager - Recycling Collections

Role Overview 

The Operations Manager – Recycling Collections will oversee CAA’s program for collection of recycling across Colorado. This role establishes and manages contracts with recycling collection haulers including municipal, private sector, and drop-off facilities. This includes leading relationships with these interest holders and collaborating with them to accomplish CAA’s and State of Colorado’s Extended Producer Responsibility operational outcomes. The Operations Manager – Recycling Collections will also collaborate with CAA teammates and external interest holders to educate and engage haulers, expand access to recycling collection services, and invest in Colorado’s recycling infrastructure. This role will ensure workflows are managed to meet critical implementation, operational, and reporting deadlines.  

Key Responsibilities 

• With oversight from the Director of Operations and guidance from contracted subject matter experts (SMEs), will manage tasks and workflows to ensure deadline, goals, and objectives are met for program implementation, service expansion, and collection rate targets.
• Works in collaboration with the Director of Operations, project managers, consultants and team to ensure CAA fulfills its obligations as the PRO for the Producer Responsibility Program for Statewide Recycling Act.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with Colorado’s solid waste and recycling haulers including local governments, tribal nations, non-profits, and private operators.
• Leads the public solicitation and selection process for contracts to pay for collection of recycling across Colorado, including negotiation of contracts. Responsibilities consist of solicitation of proposals, coordinating internal review, evaluating proposals, and negotiating contract terms and conditions in coordination with legal and procurement staff. 
• Oversee contract execution and ensure compliance with terms, performance standards, and regulatory requirements. 
• Manages CAA’s Colorado hauling operations and ensures collection goals are met.
• Identify, implement, and participate in studies and pilot projects to test alternative collection methods and innovative technologies.
• Actively identify opportunities for innovation, improvements in collection standards, increased operational efficiencies, reduced contamination, increased access, higher participation rates, and higher collection rates.  
• Works in collaboration with the Claims team to review and validate the accuracy of vendor submissions, ensuring all claims are supported with the proper documentation and meet the reporting standards. 
• Manage data collection and reporting.
• Where needed, coordinate on-ramping efforts with the other state and national teams.
• Report irregularities and vendor performance issues to management. 
• Understands and oversees standardized project documentation and logs (actions, issues, risks, key decisions).
• Plans, directs, implements, evaluates, monitors and forecasts budgets and costs in each work area to achieve financial objectives.
• Conducts risk assessments; reports identified risks to management; provides recommendations for mitigation of risk.
• Works with the appropriate resources to ensure compliance with federal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, specifications, and best practices.
• Manages information necessary for quarterly and annual reporting.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills & Competencies 

• Thinks strategically and executes operationally while balancing priorities and outcomes.
• Adept at influencing and leading change by envisioning, articulating and successfully executing operational strategies aligned to strategic objectives while focusing on long-term objectives and short-term priorities. 
• Build relationships and teams thanks to collaborative and respectful interpersonal skills. 
• Uses professional and effective judgment and decision-making skills rooted in logic and sound reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternate approaches, solutions, or conclusions. 
• Deep understanding of recycling collection (including drop-off) systems, costs, opportunities, and operations.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in related field, which may include Business, Engineering, Sustainability or related field required or equivalent experience (7+ years).
• 7+ years experience in public procurement, contract negotiation, licensing open market collection, or municipal solid waste and recycling services, or 5+ years of experience in business-to-government sales, preferable in solid waste and recycling service.
• 7+ years demonstrated knowledge of costs, logistics, and routing of residential solid waste collection systems including households, multifamily, and HOA.
• Experience developing RFPs, evaluation criteria, conducting technical and financial reviews, and contract negotiation and award. 
• Experience negotiating contract terms, pricing, and conditions with vendors, customers, or partners. 
• Experience managing relationships with suppliers, contractors, and service providers. 
• Familiarity with contract dispute resolution, mediation, and enforcement. 
• Understanding of pricing models, cost structures, and payment terms in contracts.
• Understanding of Colorado’s recycling collection systems including open market subscription.
• Experience leading program innovation or start-ups preferred. 
• Successful track record with team leadership 
• Includes travel to meet with stakeholders, including haulers, local governments, transfer stations, MRF’s, and local businesses.

Compensation & Other Information 

• Location: Remote in Colorado
• Salary Range: Varies on a variety of factors including education and experience
• Reports To: Director of Operations

Circular Action Alliance is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you require accommodation as part of the application process, please contact careers@circularaction.org listed below.