Director of Operations

Professional Search by Kingsley Gate; United States; Remote; USD 180,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Professional Search by Kingsley Gate seeks a Director, Hazardous Waste Operations to lead and unify hazardous waste programs across healthcare systems and field operations. This senior leadership role focuses on scalable operating models, integration of acquisitions, and improving efficiency and profitability.

Remote work in the United States with significant travel across a multi-state territory is required.

Qualifications

• Hands-on leadership in hazardous waste handling and operations.
• Experience overseeing multi-site, route-based service operations.
• Strong knowledge of RCRA, DOT, EPA regulations.
• Proven track record integrating acquisitions and driving efficiency.
• Excellent budgeting, vendor oversight, and performance measurement.
• Willingness to travel across a multi-state territory.

Responsibilities

• Lead and integrate hazardous waste operations across markets and programs.
• Develop SOPs, staffing models, KPIs, and performance expectations.
• Oversee profiling, manifesting, logistics, and regulatory compliance.
• Improve safety, service delivery, labor productivity, and margins.
• Evaluate insourced/outsourced driver operations for profitability.
• Guide integration and change management across locations.
• Manage third-party transporters and service partners.
• Escalation point for customer service with healthcare clients.
• Partner with EH&S to ensure compliance with regs.
• Collaborate with senior leaders to support growth and cost optimization.
• Mentor field teams and foster a safety-first culture.
• Develop budgets and monitor KPIs for profitability.

Skills

Hazardous waste ops

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science/Engineering/OM/C Chemistry

Job description

Professional Search by Kingsley Gate is seeking a Director, Hazardous Waste Operations on behalf of our client, a growing national provider of regulated medical and hazardous waste management services. This senior leadership role will oversee and unify hazardous waste operations across healthcare systems, on-site hospital programs, and regional route-based services. The Director will be responsible for building a scalable operating model, integrating acquired businesses, improving operational efficiency and profitability, and ensuring consistent, compliant service delivery across multiple markets. The ideal candidate brings hands‑on experience in hazardous waste operations, strong field leadership capabilities, and a proven ability to build and develop high-performing operational teams.

Location

Remote, United States | Mid-Atlantic Region or Louisiana preferred, with significant travel required.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and integrate hazardous waste operations across multiple markets, including hospital waste collection, on-site technician and chemist programs, and regional route-based services.
• Develop and implement standardized operating procedures, staffing models, KPIs, and performance expectations across acquired business units.
• Oversee waste profiling, manifesting, transportation logistics, and regulatory compliance activities across hazardous and pharmaceutical waste streams.
• Drive operational performance across safety, service delivery, labor productivity, route efficiency, customer satisfaction, and operating margins.
• Evaluate insourced and outsourced driver operations, developing strategies to improve operational control, reduce costs, and strengthen profitability.
• Lead organizational integration and change management initiatives, aligning teams, reporting structures, and operational processes across multiple locations.
• Manage third-party transportation providers, subcontractors, and service partners, ensuring accountability for performance, cost, and compliance.
• Serve as a primary escalation point for customer service issues, ensuring timely resolution and maintaining strong relationships with healthcare customers.
• Partner with EH&S leadership to ensure compliance with RCRA, DOT, EPA, and applicable state and local regulations.
• Collaborate with Commercial, Finance, and senior leadership teams to support business growth, cost optimization, and operational scalability.
• Build, mentor, and develop high-performing field teams while establishing a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Develop operational budgets, monitor key performance indicators, and identify opportunities to improve service quality and profitability.

Ideal Background

• Direct operational experience in hazardous waste, pharmaceutical waste, medical waste, or a closely related regulated environmental services industry.
• Hands‑on experience managing hazardous waste handling, transportation, waste profiling, manifesting, or related field operations.
• Progressive leadership experience overseeing multi‑site, route‑based service operations and frontline personnel.
• Working knowledge of RCRA, DOT, EPA, and applicable hazardous waste regulations.
• Experience managing third‑party transportation providers, subcontractors, and outsourced service operations.
• Demonstrated success integrating acquired businesses, implementing operational improvements, and building scalable organizational structures.
• Strong financial acumen, including operational budgeting, cost management, vendor oversight, and performance measurement.
• Experience supporting hospital systems, healthcare facilities, or other regulated waste generators strongly preferred.
• Hands‑on leadership style with strong problem‑solving, communication, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Operations Management, Chemistry, or a related field preferred; equivalent professional experience considered.
• OSHA 40‑hour HAZWOPER certification and DOT hazardous materials training are advantageous.
• Willingness to travel extensively across a multi‑state service territory, particularly during the initial integration phase.

Compensation Target

$180K–$200K base + 25% bonus target, based on experience

This is an excellent opportunity to build and lead a unified hazardous waste operations platform, drive operational excellence, and play a critical role in shaping a growing organization's long‑term success and profitability!

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Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or assume sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

This job has been posted by Professional Search by Kingsley Gate on behalf of our client. Professional Search by Kingsley Gate is committed to the fundamental principle of equal opportunity and equal treatment for every prospective and current employee. It is the policy of Professional Search not to discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex and gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law.