eWaste Recycling Lead

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Free Geek Twin Cities seeks an E‑Waste Recycling Lead to supervise and participate in daily electronics recycling operations, ensuring safe handling and full compliance with MPCA, county, and local requirements. The role oversees the recycling lifecycle from intake to vendor coordination and regulatory reporting.

You will drive continuous process improvements, mentor staff and volunteers, and coordinate with executives to balance operations with safety and environmental stewardship.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated supervisory experience in production, warehouse, recycling, or industrial settings.
• Track record of implementing measurable operational improvements.
• Experience supervising vendor relationships and coordinating recycling services.
• Strong knowledge of electronic waste recycling, hazardous materials handling, and regulations.
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee volunteers, contractors, and/or Green Corps Members.
• Direct daily workflows to ensure efficient recycling and material routing.
• Identify, document, and implement operational process improvements across the recycling lifecycle.
• Establish SOPs to improve efficiency, safety, compliance, and productivity.
• Collaborate with department leaders for seamless coordination of recycling operations.
• Serve as primary recycling liaison between facility staff, leadership, vendors, regulators, and partners.
• Participate in strategic planning for recycling operations and facility improvements.
• Maintain knowledge of regulations and ensure proper handling of e-waste and hazardous materials.
• Coordinate vendor pickups with proper documentation and chain-of-custody procedures.
• Maintain safety inspections, PPE usage, and enforce workplace safety procedures.
• Maintain clean, safe recycling facilities and storage areas.
• Train volunteers and staff on procedures and safety.
• Develop onboarding and ongoing training programs on compliance and operations.

Skills

Supervisory leadership

Operational improvements

Vendor management

Electronic waste knowledge

Organizational skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Regulatory compliance

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Engineering/Environmental Science/Operations Management

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Job description

Organization Overview

Free Geek Twin Cities is a nonprofit organization dedicated to digital inclusion and environmental sustainability through technology reuse and recycling. We reduce e-waste, support community education, and promote responsible technology use.

Position Summary

The eWaste Recycling Lead provides supervisory and day-to-day operational oversight of Free Geek Twin Cities' electronics recycling operations. This hands‑on role is responsible for ensuring that all donated electronics are processed safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with local, state, and federal environmental regulations.

The Lead oversees the recycling lifecycle, from intake through recycling, hazardous waste handling, material storage, vendor coordination, and regulatory reporting, while driving continuous process improvement across the organization. This position balances operational oversight with active participation in facility operations, serving as both recycling room supervisor and a technical resource for staff, volunteers, and organizational leadership.

The successful candidate will foster a culture of safety, accountability, environmental stewardship, operational excellence, and continuous improvement while ensuring that Free Geek Twin Cities maintains its reputation as a responsible electronics recycler.

Operations Oversight & Process Improvement

• Provide supervision of Volunteers, Contractors and/or Green Corps Members.
• Direct daily workflows to ensure efficient movement of recycling, and material routing.
• Identify, develop, document, and implement operational process improvements across the recycling lifecycle.
• Establish standardized operating procedures that improve efficiency, safety, compliance, and productivity.
• Build collaborative relationships with department leaders to ensure seamless coordination between recycling operations.
• Serve as the primary recycling liaison between facility staff, executive leadership, vendors, regulators, and community partners.
• Participate in strategic planning related to recycling operations and facility improvements.

Environmental Compliance, Safety & Responsible Recycling

• Maintain knowledge of current federal, state, county, and local regulations governing electronic waste and hazardous materials, including applicable Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Hennepin County requirements.
• Ensure all electronic waste and hazardous materials—including batteries and other regulated components—are handled, stored, transported, and disposed of in accordance with all applicable regulations and industry best practices.
• Maintain all required manifests, disposal records, regulatory documentation, and compliance reports.
• Coordinate and oversee certified recycling vendor pickups while ensuring proper documentation and chain‑of‑custody procedures.
• Maintain Free Geek Twin Cities' standing as a responsible and environmentally compliant recycler.
• Support regular safety inspections, ensure proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and support the Facilities and Operations Manager in enforcing all workplace safety procedures.
• Maintain clean, organized, safe, and accessible recycling, facility, and storage areas.

Inventory Management, Reporting & Data Analysis

• Maintain accurate inventory systems for inbound and outbound electronic materials.
• Train volunteers, contractors and/or Green Corps Members on procedures for weighing, documenting, tracking, and reporting recycling materials.
• Collect recycling tonnage, quality, and processing data from incoming donations.
• Develop standard operating procedures (SOP’s) for tracking outbound weights.
• Compile operational statistics and evaluate recycling program effectiveness and costs.
• Prepare monthly statistical and narrative reports for leadership and regulatory agencies.
• Maintain accurate recycling records, invoices, manifests, and vendor documentation.
• Monitor recycling market trends, commodity values, changing regulations, and evolving industry best practices, adapting operations accordingly.
• Participate in regional, state, and professional recycling organizations to remain informed of emerging technologies and regulatory changes.

Supervisory and Training

• Supervise, mentor and coach volunteers, contractors and/or Green Corps Members while fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Design and deliver comprehensive onboarding and ongoing training programs for staff and volunteers covering operational procedures, environmental compliance, workplace safety, equipment operation, and best practices for handling and processing electronic waste.
• Advise staff on responsible recycling procedures and ensure consistent adherence to organizational standards.
• Collaborate with the Education Team to develop educational materials and public information related to responsible electronics recycling.

Facility & Equipment Operations

• Actively participate in daily warehouse and recycling operations as needed.
• Move processed electronic waste from the recycling room to designated storage locations.
• Maintain organized, safe, and efficient warehouse, garage, and recycling workspaces.
• Coordinate movement of materials using pallet jacks, dollies, forklifts, and other material handling equipment.
• Monitor storage capacity and ensure materials are staged for efficient processing and vendor pickup.
• Maintain equipment and ensure safe operating procedures are followed throughout the facility.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience supervising diverse teams within production, warehouse, recycling, manufacturing, or industrial environments.
• Proven success implementing measurable operational improvements that increased efficiency, safety, regulatory compliance, or productivity.
• Experience supervising vendor relationships and coordinating contracted recycling services.
• Strong knowledge of electronic waste recycling, hazardous materials handling, environmental regulations, and recycling best practices.
• Exceptional organizational and project management abilities.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem‑solving skills with the ability to identify operational challenges and implement sustainable solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively with staff, volunteers, leadership, vendors, regulators, and community partners.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to regulatory compliance.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced operational environment.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Environmental Science, Operations Management, or a related field preferred.
• Experience in recycling, scrap metal, electronics processing, heavy industrial operations, warehouse management, or related industries preferred.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience of operational teams.
• Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience will be considered.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to regularly lift and move materials weighing 50 pounds or more.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, and perform repetitive physical tasks throughout the workday.
• Ability to work safely in warehouse, recycling, and industrial environments.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Valid Minnesota Driver's License with an acceptable driving record.
• Experience operating forklifts, pallet jacks, dollies, and other material handling equipment.