Operations Manager

Sims Ltd.; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 102,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Benefits

Job summary

Sims Lifecycle Services (SLS) seeks an Operations Manager in West Chicago, IL to lead daily operations, ensure safety, quality, and productivity, and drive continuous improvement. Reporting to the Site Manager, you will manage schedules, inventory, staffing, and resources while coaching teams and maintaining strong controls.

The role emphasizes cost management, policy compliance, and safe, data-driven decision making.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for diverse teams.
• Ability to analyze and improve workflow processes across operations.
• Knowledge of procurement rules and regulations.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite for reporting and scheduling.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations to meet safety, quality, productivity, and service goals.
• Manage production schedules, inventory, staffing, and resources for efficiency.
• Maintain 99% inventory accuracy aligned with customer requirements.
• Oversee material processing, testing, and outbound shipments.
• Coach and mentor team members; support performance management.
• Define roles and accountability to drive excellence and cost control.
• Coordinate facility and equipment maintenance with site leadership.
• Assist with budgeting and cost management; review performance.
• Conduct performance reviews and develop employees.
• Ensure compliance with Environmental, Health & Safety policies.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Workflow optimization

Procurement knowledge

MS Office proficiency

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree / technical diploma (preferred)

Job description

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Operations Manager

Date: Aug 14, 2026

Location: West Chicago, IL, US, 60185

Company: simsmetalm

Salary Range: 102,379 - 122,855 USD

Sims Lifecycle Services (SLS) is a worldwide leader in IT asset and cloud infrastructure reuse, redeployment, recycling and refining. SLS serves global clients across a range of industries to securely and responsibly recycle and manage the disposition of IT equipment and electronic products.
Our asset management and recovery service enables businesses to meet both their social and legal obligations in the treatment of surplus electronics in a legally compliant, data-secure, fully traceable, and environmentally sustainable manner. With our global reach, expertise, and infrastructure, SLS is able to provide a comprehensive solution for e-waste and IT asset disposition anywhere in the world.

At Sims Lifecycle Services, we believe progress is driven by our people. If you’re set on making real change for tomorrow, we have the scale, resources, and ambition to make it happen. Now’s an extraordinary time to work with us. SLS is the global leader in circular cloud solutions. We will continue to drive circular economy initiatives with our clients to improve environmental outcomes and business results. To achieve it, we’re bringing together people with unique stories, perspectives, backgrounds, and talent – and we need yours too!

Annual Salary Range: $102,379 - $122,855

Join Our Dynamic Team!

We are seeking an Operations Manager to join our team in West Chicago, IL. This is an exciting opportunity for a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about driving operational excellence, developing high-performing teams, and delivering outstanding results.Reporting to the Site Manager, the Operations Manager will oversee daily operations to ensure safety, quality, productivity, and customer service goals are consistently achieved. This role is responsible for leading operational teams, optimizing resources, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements. The successful candidate will play a key role in enhancing operational performance, controlling costs, developing employees, and fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and teamwork.

Key Accountabilities

• Support and comply with all Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) policies, procedures, and initiatives to maintain a safe work environment.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, regulatory requirements, and ethical business practices.
• Lead daily operations to achieve safety, quality, productivity, and customer service objectives.
• Manage production schedules, inventory, staffing, and resources to ensure efficient and cost-effective operations.
• Maintain inventory accuracy in accordance with customer requirements, targeting 99% accuracy.
• Oversee material processing, testing activities, and outbound shipments.
• Develop, coach, and mentor team members while supporting performance management and succession planning efforts.
• Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and expectations to drive accountability and operational excellence.
• Protect company assets through effective security, inventory, and cost-control measures.
• Partner with site leadership to coordinate facility and equipment maintenance.
• Assist with budget planning, cost management, and review of operational performance.
• Conduct performance reviews and support employee development initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience & Qualifications Required

• High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate degree, technical diploma, or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
• 3-5 years of leadership experience in operations, manufacturing, logistics, recycling, or a related industry preferred. Demonstrated ability to lead teams, drive operational performance, and achieve safety, quality, and productivity goals.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
• Ability to analyze, develop, establish, and maintain efficient workflow processes
• Knowledge of procurement rules and regulations
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite

With a promote-from-within philosophy and a variety of programs available to support continuous learning, Sims offers the opportunity for a rewarding career. We are committed to the ecologically sound and sustainable use of resources and strive to operate in a manner that minimizes waste and protects the environment.
A career with SLS provides you with the opportunity to work with an organization whose goal is to be the world’s safest and most responsible recycling company. Our people achieve this by creating a zero-harm workplace, being exemplary members of the communities in which we operate, and being responsible stewards of the environment.

• We also offer competitive pay and a range of attractive benefits.

SLS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value the diversity of all of our employees and are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where everyone can contribute, advance on merit, and realize their full potential. SLS does not discriminate with regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, citizenship status, disability, age, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, housing status, source of income, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. This applies to any employment decision, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.qualified applicants with a disability in need of a reasonable accommodation may request such without fear of reprisal or discrimination.

To achieve our purpose to create a world without waste to preserve our planet, we are guided by our Principles of Purpose: Be Safe + Well, Band Together, Be Accountable + Transparent, Consistently Innovate, Inspire with Purpose, Celebrate + Have Fun.

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Why Choose A Career with Sims?

Sims is a hub of innovation, offering employees the chance to explore new ideas and technologies while providing ample opportunities for personal and professional growth.

With a diverse workforce, Sims fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion where employees can thrive and establish lasting connections. Working at Sims offers the chance to engage with a global network, providing opportunities for travel, cross-cultural experiences, and the ability to contribute to a sustainable future. Sims is renowned as one of the world’s leading sustainable companies, empowering employees to make a difference in creating a world without waste to preserve the planet.

Sims prioritizes employee wellbeing, offering superior benefits packages, meaningful training opportunities, and a supportive atmosphere where employees feel valued and heard at all levels of the organization. Sims maintains a strong focus on safety, where individuals are encouraged to challenge themselves, contribute, and support one another, in a collaborative team environment.