Operations Manager

GFL Environmental Inc.; Coquitlam; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Comprehensive benefits

Car allowance

Life insurance

Retirement savings

Learning & development

Career growth

Team environment

Job summary

GFL Environmental Inc. is a leading North American waste management company seeking an Operations Manager to oversee daily curbside recycling collections across multiple zones in a Safe Work environment.

You will lead route supervisors, drivers, and resources, drive route optimization, and ensure compliance with WorkSafeBC and environmental regulations while delivering cost-efficient, high-quality service.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive operations management experience in municipal waste management, logistics, or transportation.
• Direct experience managing curbside collection contracts (Recycle BC or similar EPR programs) strongly preferred.
• Deep understanding of WorkSafeBC rules and provincial waste management frameworks.
• Proficiency in automated route optimization tools and fleet telematics.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily curbside collection execution for multi-stream residential recycling.
• Direct, coach, and support route supervisors and curbside drivers.
• Enforce WorkSafeBC OH&S policies and environmental regulations.
• Monitor equipment utilization and coordinate with maintenance teams.
• Develop and manage operational budgets and KPIs.
• Serve as primary contact for Recycle BC and municipal partners.
• Drive adoption of route optimization software and lean strategies.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Conflict resolution

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Operations Management

Logistics

Environmental Science

Tools

Route optimization tools

Fleet telematics

Asset management software

Job description

The Operations Manager oversees daily residential curbside recycling collection operations, with direct accountability for execution under the Recycle BC stewardship program. This role manages supervisors, drivers and resources to deliver safe, efficient, and fully compliant service across all contract zones. The ideal candidate will optimize multi-stream residential routing, manage municipal and contract stakeholder relationships, enforce WorkSafeBC and environmental regulations, and drive continuous improvement in safety, diversion efficiency, and cost management.

GFL Environmental Inc. is one of North America’s leading waste management companies, proudly making communities cleaner, safer, and happier through first-class service. Together, our employees are known as “Team Green” — a name that unites us all under our shared purpose: making our customers and communities Green for Life! Working for GFL is more than a job — it’s an opportunity to grow in your career, make new friends, and make a difference each day.

Key Responsibilities

• Program & Operational Management: Oversee daily curbside collection execution for multi-stream residential recycling in alignment with Recycle BC material performance, contamination, and service-level agreements.
• Team Leadership & Development: Direct, coach, and support route supervisors and curbside drivers. Lead hiring, onboarding, performance evaluations, and workforce planning to promote a strong culture of accountability and retention.
• Safety & Environmental Compliance: Enforce strict adherence to WorkSafeBC standards, Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) policies, environmental regulations, and local municipal bylaws. Conduct incident investigations, safety audits, and continuous driver safety training.
• Fleet & Resource Optimization: Monitor equipment utilization, pre/post-trip inspection completion, and route productivity. Coordinate with maintenance teams to minimize fleet downtime, lower operating costs, and optimize vehicle lifecycle performance.
• Financial & KPI Performance: Develop and manage operational budgets, direct labor, and maintenance expenses. Track key performance indicators (KPIs) including missed stops, contamination rates, route efficiency, safety incidents, and downtime.
• Contract & Client Relations: Serve as a primary point of contact for Recycle BC program representatives and municipal partners. Resolve service escalations, review audits, and ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Technology & Process Improvement: Drive adoption of route optimization software, onboard telematics, and digital reporting systems. Implement lean operational strategies to reduce carbon footprint and maximize material recovery rates.
• Reporting & Governance: Generate weekly/monthly performance metrics, compliance logs, and financial variance reports for senior leadership.

Qualifications & Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations Management, Logistics, Environmental Science, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Experience: 5+ years of progressive operations management experience in municipal waste management, logistics, or transportation. Direct experience managing curbside collection contracts (Recycle BC or similar Extended Producer Responsibility programs) strongly preferred.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of WorkSafeBC rules, motor vehicle safety regulations, and provincial waste management/EPR frameworks.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in automated route optimization tools, fleet telematics (GPS/LYTX), asset management software.
• Leadership Capabilities: Strong interpersonal, conflict-resolution, and change-management skills with a demonstrated track record of leading diverse teams.

Working Conditions

• Work Environment: Split between an office environment and field sites, including municipal routes, transfer stations, and material recovery facilities (MRFs). Physical Expectations: Occasional exposure to outdoor weather conditions, noise, and site environments during audits and safety reviews.
• Schedule & On-Call: Standard business hours with required on-call availability for operational incidents, winter weather emergencies, or routing disruptions.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and a reliable vehicle for site visits and travel between locations.

Why Join TEAM GREEN

• Competitive salary with bonus eligibility and comprehensive benefits (health, vision, and dental)
• Car allowance
• Life insurance and retirement savings options
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities
• Career advancement potential within a growing company
• Team-focused and supportive work environment

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

GFL is committed to equal opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic. If you are interested in applying for employment and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply for a posted position, please contact [e-mail]

Please note that GFL does not provide visa sponsorship
for this position. Valid work authorization in the country where the job is located is required.Successful candidates will be required to provide valid documentation confirming their eligibility to work in the country where the job is located prior to their start date.

This hiring process may utilize machine-based systems to assist in screening and assessing applicants. Final selection decisions are made by our recruitment team.