Operations Manager

Waste Connections of Canada; Kelowna; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Retirement plan with company match

Medical, Dental, Vision

Job summary

Waste Connections of Canada is seeking an Operations Manager to plan and manage district operations, directing drivers and the operations team to maximize service quality and productivity while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance.

You will drive improvements, oversee hiring, coaching, and performance, and collaborate with municipal customers to resolve service issues, with a focus on cost-effective routing and labor optimization.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in operations/logistics or related field.
• Experience managing a diverse team in field services/production.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proven ability to minimize safety incidents and maintain accident-free environment.
• Knowledge of routing principles and ability to apply them geographically.
• Understanding of P&L, budget and forecast management is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Track productivity, tune routes, and adjust boundaries for efficiency.
• Analyze underperforming routes and collaborate with drivers and sales to fix inefficiencies.
• Lead safety programs, conduct training, and enforce safety policies.
• Handle hiring, termination, grievances, and performance management.
• Resolve escalated customer concerns with prompt follow-ups and alternatives.
• Coordinate with maintenance to keep trucks safe and productive.
• Optimize labor hours and control costs to meet productivity goals.
• Investigate accidents and prepare reports per DOT regulations.
• Work with municipalities and customers to resolve service issues.

Skills

Leadership

Route optimization

Safety compliance

Communication

Analytical skills

Budgeting

metro geographic knowledge

Education

CDL Class 3 with Air endorsement

Tools

Routing software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Operations Manager

General Description

The Operations Manager plans and manages district operations effectively, ensuring the best possible service and productivity metrics are achieved. The Manager sets the tone for safety practices and ensures the team understands and follows the rules of safety, allowing for success and protection of employees as well as the community at large. The Manager directs the operations team and drivers to minimize missed pickups, maximize service quality, and minimize drive times while routing to a cost‑effective transfer station or landfill. You will be responsible for ensuring that safety, compliance, customer service, growth, sales, and financial targets are consistently met. Strong leadership, ethical decision‑making, and professionalism are essential to success in this role.

Responsibilities

• Track productivity metrics, fine‑tune routes, and adjust boundaries for operational efficiency, including reviewing start times and addressing route‑specific challenges.
• Implement productivity enhancements by analyzing underperforming routes and collaborating with drivers and the Sales Team to identify inefficiencies and add density.
• Drive proactive accident‑avoidance plans, provide safety training, and ensure adherence to company safety policies and regulations, including investigating accidents and conducting field inspections.
• Handle hiring, termination, grievances, and performance management through coaching, retraining, and corrective actions, using progressive discipline when necessary.
• Investigate and resolve escalated customer concerns, ensuring prompt follow‑ups and alternative service solutions when required.
• Collaborate with the Maintenance Manager to ensure trucks remain operational, safe, and productive, while overseeing repairs and managing damages.
• Optimize labor hours, minimize carryovers, and manage costs effectively to support overall productivity goals.
• Conduct accident investigations, prepare reports, and enforce compliance with DOT regulations and company policies.
• Work closely with municipalities and customers to address and resolve service issues, missed pickups, and safety concerns at customer sites.
• Coordinate with dispatchers to ensure timely bin deliveries, exchanges, repairs, and waste collections, maintaining communication until all routes are completed.

Qualifications

• 5 plus years’ experience in industry or logistics.
• 5 years managing a diverse team in an operations or production, heavy construction/road building and/or environmental field services.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and employee management skills.
• Proven ability to minimize safety‑related accidents and operate an accident‑free environment.
• Solid analytical skills to optimize routes and productivity.
• Well‑developed influencing and presentation skills.
• Experience with collective bargaining agreements (CBA) and grievance handling.
• Understand the geographic area and can apply routing principles.
• Working knowledge of routing software.
• Understand the basics of trucks and maintenance.
• Class 3 with Air endorsement will be considered an asset.
• Understanding of P&L, budget and forecast management is an asset.
• Good knowledge of MS Office (in particular Excel) and other technology related to waste management.

Benefits

• Competitive Wages ($90,000 - $100,000 plus bonus and equity)
• Retirement Plan with company match; let us help you save for your future.
• Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision.
• Perks: Employee Assistant Program, Scholarship Opportunities for kids, Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Insurance: Life, Short Term/Long Term Disability.

Waste Connections of Canada is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions (including but not limited to hiring) are made without regard to characteristics protected by federal, provincial, or local law, regulation, or ordinance.