Operations Manager - Waste Collections

WM; Visalia (CA); On-site; USD 71,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Life insurance

401(k) matching

Stock purchase plan

Paid vacation and holidays

Personal days

Job summary

WM is seeking an Operations Manager in Visalia, California, to lead onboarding, development, coaching, mentoring, and performance management of drivers and helpers. This hands-on leader will influence the broader team, foster collaboration, and ensure strong operational execution across the operation.

The ideal candidate has a transportation and logistics background, at least two years of people management, and a proven ability to coach, navigate change, and support safety, compliance, and daily

Qualifications

• Two years of people management experience.
• Strong background in transportation and logistics.
• Willingness to coach and mentor frontline employees.
• Legally eligible to work in the United States.
• Valid Driver's License upon Hire.

Responsibilities

• Onboard, develop, coach, and manage drivers and helpers.
• Provide daily onboarding support and feedback.
• Review safety, compliance, and route documentation regularly.
• Lead by example to ensure safe practices across the operation.
• Identify and address opportunities to improve frontline performance.

Skills

People leadership

Coaching

Operational leadership

Data-driven decisions

Communication

Bilingual capability

Education

Associate's Degree

High School Diploma

Job description

Job Summary

The Operations Manager is responsible for the onboarding, development, coaching, mentoring, and performance management of drivers and helpers assigned to their location. This role requires a hands-on, adaptable leader who can influence and lead across the broader team, not just their direct reports, while fostering collaboration, accountability, and strong operational execution. The ideal candidate has a strong background in transportation and logistics, at least two years of people management experience, and a proven ability to coach others, navigate change, and contribute wherever needed to support the team and operation.

Core Competencies

People and team leadership: Ability to coach and develop frontline employees while serving as a positive leader and influence across the broader team

Adaptability and hands-on mindset: Comfortable adjusting to changing priorities and stepping in where needed to support the operation

Operational leadership : Strong understanding of transportation/logistics operations with a focus on safety, efficiency, accountability, and consistent execution

Data-driven decision making: Ability to analyze performance, identify trends, and drive improvement opportunities

Communication and collaboration: Strong relationship-building and communication skills across frontline employees, peers, and leadership; bilingual capability strongly preferred

II. Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensuring new frontline employees have tools, instruction, and feedback for successful daily duties

• Meet with new frontline employees daily to ensure consistent communication and support of onboarding

• Provide timely and consistent touchpoints with frontline employees.

• Regular review of best practices to enhance daily performance

• Focus on understanding and progress of frontline employee career goals

• Identify and address improvement opportunities and collaborate with frontline employees to ensure continued success

• Actively practice and seek feedback on coaching conversations.

• Lead by example to ensure safety practices are paramount with each employee and

• Teaching and developing an understanding of the WM Way

• Conducts Root Cause Investigations for all injuries and incidents, ensuring consistent discipline and retraining.

• Documents and maintains records required by regulatory agencies such as the Department of Transportation.

• Reviews and audits documentation related to route operations daily (e.g., DVIRs, driver time and attendance, open tickets), following up where appropriate.

• Visits customers and customer sites to evaluate and resolve safety issues, seeking service alternatives where appropriate.

III. Qualifications

A. Required Qualifications

• Associate's Degree (accredited) or in lieu of a degree,

• High School Diploma (accredited) and two (2) years of relevant work experience.

• Must be at least 18 years of age and

• Legally eligible to work in the country where the position is located

• Valid Driver's License Upon Hire

B. Preferred Qualifications

• Successful completion of the WM Operations Manager Trainee program

IV. Physical Requirements

Listed below are key points regarding physical demands, physical and occupational risks, and the work environment of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Combination: This job operates in a mix between an office environment and plant/field environment and routinely requires the use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copy machines, etc.

PAY

The expected base pay range for this office/on-site $71, 190 - $76,500. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. The specific salary offered to a successful candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s relevant experience, education, training, certifications, qualifications, and work location. In addition, this position is eligible for incentive pay.

V. Benefits

At WM, each eligible employee receives a competitive total compensation package that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short-term disability. In addition, we offer a stock purchase plan, company matching on a 401(k), and more. Employees also receive paid vacation, holidays, and personal days. Please note that benefits may vary by site.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran