Lead Operator Polymer Center

Republic Services; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Health care spending accounts

Dependent care accounts

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Employee discounts

401(k) match

ESPP

PTO

Job summary

Republic Services is seeking a Polymer Center Lead Operator in Allentown to guide a team of Operators, Forklift Operators, Sorters, and other equipment operators. You will ensure safety and compliance while operating sorting, grinding, and washing equipment as needed.

The role emphasizes directing staff, maintaining equipment readiness, and collaborating with maintenance to minimize downtime while driving customer satisfaction for our polymer center operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of manufacturing or recycling experience.
• Able to direct staff and manage shift operations.
• Strong customer service skills with professionalism and integrity.

Responsibilities

• Remove unsafe conditions and supervise polymer center operations.
• Provide direction to operations staff on the shift's manufacturing plan.
• Perform pre- and post-operation inspections of equipment for safe operation.
• Operate sorting, grinding, and washing equipment safely.
• Monitor production and waste for quality issues.
• Document Equipment Condition Reports and coordinate repairs.
• Enforce safety policies and drive customer satisfaction.
• Support maintenance and equipment quality in delivery.
• Develop team and coach for advancement.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Skills

Direct staff

Customer service

Time management

Communication

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to an Ops Supervisor Polymer Center, the Polymer Center Lead Operator provides direction to a team of Operators, Forklift Operators, Sorters, and other equipment operators, who are responsible for the efficient operation of the Polymer Center. The Lead Operator ensures adherence to all accident prevention programs and leads operations to ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, and other standards. The Lead Operator also maintains a strong working knowledge of, and operates all Sorting, Grinding, and Washing equipment as needed.

PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Works to remove unsafe conditions or situations from the Polymer Center and all related Sorting, Grinding, and Washing activities. Provides direction to operations staff in the execution of the manufacturing plan on their given shift. Perform pre- and post-operation inspections of the equipment in accordance with Company policy to ensure safe operations. Maintains strong working knowledge of and safely and efficiently operates Sorting, Grinding, and Washing equipment using proper safety standards. Continuously monitors production and waste materials for evidence of unacceptable product and/or waste. Continuously monitors the condition of the equipment to ensure it is always operationally ready to minimize down time. Perform and document minor service on equipment, referring more complicated mechanical issues to Maintenance for repair. Completes Equipment Condition Report and other reports, as necessary; report any necessary repairs to Supervisor as needed. Follows all required safety policies and procedures. Serves as a positive representative of the Company to drive customer satisfaction and loyalty to the Company. Executes other operational plans to help achieve or exceed the division’s budgeted goals. Understands, supports and executes product delivery while actively supporting maintenance and the operational role in equipment quality and maintenance. Creates a collaborative, communicative team environment and drives employee engagement with the Company. Builds and develops talent on the team, understands employees’ career goals and provides coaching to get employees ready for advancement with the Company. Performs other job-related duties as needed or assigned.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Able to direct staff. Minimum of 3 years of experience working at sites regulated by OSHA. Good customer services skills to meet and exceed customer expectations; acts in a professional, courteous and cooperative manner toward customers and co-workers; works with a sense of honesty and trustworthiness. Good time management skills to ensure assigned responsibilities are completed in an efficient and safe manner. Good follow through ability; ability to adhere to work schedule and follows through on challenges as they arise.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum of 1 year of manufacturing or recycling experience.

REWARDING COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Eligible employees can elect to participate in:

• Comprehensive medical benefits coverage, dental plans and vision coverage.
• Health care and dependent care spending accounts.
• Short- and long-term disability.
• Life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment insurance.
• Employee and Family Assistance Program (EAP).
• Employee discount programs.
• Retirement plan with a generous company match.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP).
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Benefits: https://jobs.republicservices.com/us/en/about-us/benefits

The statements used herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by an employee in this position, and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required by an incumbent so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the Company.

EEO STATEMENT

Republic Services is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, relationship or association with a protected veteran (spouses or other family members), genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. For any concerns relating to Republic Services’ commitment to equal opportunity employment, you may contact the AWARE Line at 1-866-3-AWARE-4.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) is a leader in the environmental services industry. We provide customers with the most complete set of products and services, including recycling, waste, special waste, hazardous waste and field services. Our industry-leading commitments to advance circularity and support decarbonization are helping deliver on our vision to partner with customers to create a more sustainable world. In 2025, Republic’s total company revenue was $16.6 billion, and adjusted EBITDA was $5.3 billion. We serve 13 million customers and operate more than 1,000 locations, including collection and transfer stations, recycling and polymer centers, treatment facilities, and landfills. Although we operate across North America, the collection, recycling, treatment, or disposal of materials is a local business, and the dynamics and opportunities differ in each market we serve. By combining local operational management with standardized business practices, we drive greater operating efficiencies across the company while maintaining day-to-day operational decisions at the local level, closest to the customer. Our customers, including small businesses, major corporations and municipalities, want a partner with the expertise and capabilities to effectively manage their multiple recycling and waste streams. They choose Republic Services because we are committed to exceeding their expectations and helping them achieve their sustainability goals. Our 42,000 team members understand that it's not just what we do that matters, but how we do it. Our company values guide our daily actions: Safe: We protect the livelihoods of our colleagues and communities. Committed to Serve: We go above and beyond to exceed our customers’ expectations. Environmentally Responsible: We take action to improve our environment. Driven: We deliver results in the right way. Human-Centered: We respect the dignity and unique potential of every person. We are proud of our high employee engagement score of 86. We have an inclusive and diverse culture where every voice counts. In addition, our team positively impacted 5.1 million people in 2024 through the Republic Services Charitable Foundation and local community grants. These projects are designed to meet the specific needs of the communities we serve, with a focus on building sustainable neighborhoods.

STRATEGY

Republic Services’ strategy is designed to generate profitable growth. Through acquisitions and industry advancements, we safely and sustainably manage our customers’ multiple waste streams through a North American footprint of vertically integrated assets. We focus on three areas of growth to meet the increasing needs of our customers: recycling and waste, environmental solutions and sustainability innovation. With our integrated approach, strengthening our position in one area advances other areas of our business. For example, as we grow volume in recycling and waste, we collect additional material to bolster our circularity capabilities. And as we expand environmental solutions, we drive additional opportunities to provide these services to our existing recycling and waste customers.

RECYCLING AND WASTE

We continue to expand our recycling and waste business footprint throughout North America through organic growth and targeted acquisitions. The 13 million customers we serve and our more than 5 million pick-ups per day provide us with a distinct advantage. We aggregate materials at scale, unlocking new opportunities for advanced recycling. In addition, we are cross-selling new products and services to better meet our customers’ specific needs.

ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS

Our comprehensive environmental solutions capabilities help customers safely manage their most technical waste streams. We are expanding both our capabilities and our geographic footprint. We see strong growth opportunities for our offerings, including PFAS remediation, an increasing customer need.

SUSTAINABILITY INNOVATION

Republic’s recent innovations to advance circularity and decarbonization demonstrate our unique ability to leverage sustainability as a platform for growth. The Republic Services Polymer Center is the nation’s first integrated plastics recycling facility. These innovative sites process rigid plastics from our recycling centers, producing recycled materials that promote true bottle-to-bottle circularity. We also formed Blue Polymers, a joint venture with Ravago, to develop facilities that will further process plastic material from our Polymer Centers to help meet the growing demand for sustainable packaging. We are building a network of Polymer Centers and Blue Polymer facilities across North America. Our customers are increasingly looking for decarbonization solutions, and we are leveraging our network of landfills to meet that need. Republic is committed to harnessing landfill gas, a natural byproduct of decomposing waste, and converting it to energy. Republic has partnered with renewable gas developers to construct Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) plants at our landfills, expanding beyond the 77 projects we currently have to make progress towards our goal to beneficially reuse 50% more biogas by 2030 (2017 baseline year).

RECENT RECOGNITION

Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable Companies CDP Discloser Dow Jones Best-In-Class Indices Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies Great Place to Work Sustainability Yearbook S&P Global

WHY WORK WITH US

Republic Services is a place where your effort is always appreciated and your teammates always have your back. When you give us your best, we give you ours. We’re constantly investing in new tools and technology that allow you to do your job safely and effectively. We offer plenty of opportunities to learn and grow within your role. And when we say “Sustainability in Action,” we mean it. Together, we’re leaving the world better than we found it through the work we do every day. Are you in? Keep reading to learn more about the position we’re hiring for.