Operations Manager – Accelerated Leadership Development Program

Waste Management Inc.; Batavia (IL); On-site; USD 66,600 - 81,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Stock purchase plan

401K company match

Paid vacation and personal days

Education assistance benefit

Job summary

A leading waste management company is seeking candidates for their Operations Manager Trainee (OMT) program designed to prepare participants for frontline management roles. The program includes hands-on training with a focus on enhancing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Responsibilities include training, coaching, and developing best practices with frontline employees in both office and field environments. Candidates are expected to possess a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, with a clean driving record. Medical benefits and education assistance are provided.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or high school diploma with 2 years relevant experience required.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record are mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Provide support and feedback to frontline employees.
• Review best practices to improve performance.
• Complete OMT training curriculum.

Skills

Leadership

Operational efficiency

Customer satisfaction

Coaching and mentoring

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree (accredited)

High School Diploma or GED (with experience)

Job description

Operations Manager Trainee (OMT) Program

Expected Base Salary: $74,000

The Operations Manager Trainee (OMT) program is a structured 5‑month leadership development program designed to prepare you for a front‑line Operations Manager (OM) role. During training, you will gain hands‑on field experience leading employees, improving operational efficiency, supporting safety programs, and driving customer satisfaction.

Upon successful completion, trainees transition into an Operations Manager position responsible for coaching, mentoring, and managing frontline employees, overseeing daily route operations, and ensuring safety, performance, and service excellence.

Job Summary

The Operations Manager Trainee (OMT) training program is intended to prepare individuals to become front‑line Operations Managers. The majority of the day is spent in the field, interacting with front‑line employees. Through our hands‑on training program, we will teach you how to increase financial profitability, maximize operational efficiency, improve customer satisfaction, and lead teams of people. Candidates must be willing to relocate within a certain geographic area at the end of the training program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide timely and consistent touchpoints with frontline employees.
• Regularly review best practices to enhance daily performance.
• Partner with drivers and technicians to develop job‑related skills.
• Complete the assigned OMT training curriculum and all other assigned training.
• Actively practice and seek feedback on coaching conversations.
• Collaborate with all frontline managers to learn day‑to‑day business operations (Operations Improvement Manager, Fleet Manager, Sales Manager, District Managers, Operations Managers).
• Develop knowledge of DOT & OSHA safety programs and systems; operational business processes, systems & tools; performance management; dispatch & routing; fleet maintenance processes.

Qualifications

• Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor's Degree (accredited) or
• High School Diploma or GED (accredited) and two (2) years of relevant work experience.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Legally eligible to work in the country where the position is located.
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record throughout the duration of employment.

Physical Requirements

This job operates in a mix between an office environment and a plant/field environment and routinely requires the use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and copy machines. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short‑term disability.
• Stock purchase plan.
• Company match on 401K.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and personal days.
• Annual education assistance benefit.
• Dependent day care.
• Discounted stock options.

Relocation

This position does NOT require relocation.