Recycling Operations Manager

Qcells North America; Cartersville (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Qcells North America is seeking a Recycling Operations Manager to lead multi-site recycling and waste management efforts across Cartersville (CTV) and Dalton (DLT). You will coordinate EcoRecycle team activities, identify improvement opportunities, manage vendor relations, and oversee cost reduction and revenue initiatives while ensuring safety and environmental compliance.

Based primarily at the Cartersville facility with travel to other sites as needed, you will develop actionable plans,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Engineering, Environmental Management, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field.
• Experience in manufacturing, plant operations, recycling, waste management, logistics, or related field preferred.
• Strong cross-functional communication and coordination skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, action items, and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and follow-up skills.

Responsibilities

• Monitor recycling operations and key issues at CTV and DLT.
• Coordinate activities between the EcoRecycle Team Lead and recycling personnel at each site.
• Support operational and administrative activities of the recycling teams at each site.
• Track common action items, operational issues, and improvement initiatives across CTV and DLT.
• Support standardization of recycling processes and operating practices between the two facilities.
• Follow up after implementation to verify effectiveness and sustainable application in the field.
• Share best practices between CTV and DLT and support process standardization.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve safety, environmental performance, operational efficiency, and productivity.

Skills

Cross-functional coordination

Vendor management

Data analysis

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Primary Locations Cartersville (CTV) - Primary Work Location; travel to EcoRecycle and Dalton (DLT) facilities as needed

Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Recycling Operations Manager

Department EcoRecycle

Primary Locations Cartersville (CTV) - Primary Work Location; travel to EcoRecycle and Dalton (DLT) facilities as needed

Reports To EcoRecycle Team Lead

Work Location / Travel Requirements

Based primarily at the Cartersville (CTV) facility, with travel to the EcoRecycle and Dalton (DLT) facilities as needed for operational support, site coordination, and improvement initiatives.

Position Purpose

The Recycling Operations Specialist supports and coordinates recycling and waste management activities across the Cartersville (CTV) and Dalton (DLT) facilities.

The position serves as a key liaison between the EcoRecycle Team Lead and the recycling personnel at each facility, coordinating common operational activities and driving improvement initiatives across both sites.

The role is responsible for identifying operational improvement opportunities, developing and implementing corrective or improvement actions, and monitoring their effectiveness. The position also supports waste cost reduction, expansion of recycling opportunities, improvement of revenue from recyclable and valuable materials, vendor management, shipment and export coordination, and management reporting.

Key Responsibilities

2.1 CTV / DLT Recycling Operations Support and Coordination

• Monitor recycling operations and key issues at CTV and DLT.
• Coordinate activities between the EcoRecycle Team Lead and recycling personnel at each facility.
• Support operational and administrative activities of the recycling teams at each site.
• Track common action items, operational issues, and improvement initiatives across CTV and DLT.
• Support standardization of recycling processes and operating practices between the two facilities.

2.2 Operational Improvement and Continuous Improvement Management

• Conduct regular reviews of CTV and DLT recycling operations and identify improvement opportunities.
• Identify and improve operational processes related to waste collection, storage, internal transportation, handling, and shipment.
• Analyze root causes of operational issues and develop practical improvement plans.
• Coordinate with site personnel and relevant departments to implement improvement initiatives.
• Manage owners, schedules, action items, and progress for improvement projects.
• Follow up after implementation to verify effectiveness and sustainable application in the field.
• Share best practices between CTV and DLT and support process standardization.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve safety, environmental performance, operational efficiency, and productivity.

2.3 Cross-Functional Coordination

• Coordinate with Production, EHS, Logistics, Equipment/Maintenance, Purchasing, Finance, and other relevant departments.
• Facilitate cross-functional discussions and resolution of recycling and waste-related issues.
• Coordinate stakeholders when new processes are introduced or existing processes are changed.
• Track cross-functional action items and ensure timely follow-up and closure.

2.4 Review of New Waste and Recycling Items

• Review newly generated waste, by-products, and recyclable materials from production and plant operations.
• Coordinate with EHS and relevant departments to determine appropriate storage, handling, transportation, recycling, and disposal methods.
• Evaluate opportunities for recycling, reuse, or recovery of newly generated materials.
• Develop appropriate collection and handling processes for new waste and recyclable items.
• Monitor operational issues and performance after implementation.

2.5 Waste and Recycling Vendor Sourcing and Management

• Identify and evaluate new waste disposal and recycling vendors.
• Compare vendor capabilities, pricing, service conditions, and operational requirements.
• Support bidding, vendor selection, contract coordination, and vendor onboarding.
• Monitor existing vendors for pricing, service quality, operational performance, and compliance.
• Diversify vendors where appropriate to reduce disposal costs and operational risk.

2.6 Waste Cost Reduction and Revenue Improvement

• Analyze waste disposal costs across CTV and DLT and identify cost-reduction opportunities.
• Reduce disposal volume and cost by expanding recycling and recovery opportunities.
• Identify new buyers and sales channels for recyclable and valuable materials.
• Compare market pricing and vendor offers to improve sales value.
• Support bidding and negotiations to improve selling prices and commercial terms.
• Track and quantify cost savings and incremental revenue generated through improvement initiatives.

2.7 Shipment and Export Coordination

• Coordinate shipment schedules for recyclable and valuable materials from CTV and DLT.
• Support domestic shipments and international export activities.
• Coordinate with Logistics, Trade & Customs Compliance, vendors, carriers, and other relevant parties.
• Prepare, collect, and maintain required shipment and export documentation.
• Coordinate pickup schedules with vendors and transportation providers.
• Track shipment status and follow up on operational or documentation issues.

2.8 Performance Management and Reporting

• Track waste generation volumes and disposal performance for CTV and DLT.
• Manage disposal costs, recycling volumes, and performance by waste category.
• Track sales volumes, selling prices, and revenue from recyclable and valuable materials.
• Analyze significant monthly performance changes and identify root causes.
• Track cost-saving and revenue-improvement results.
• Compile weekly and monthly operating results, major issues, and action items.
• Prepare management reports and presentation materials.
• Report progress and results of major improvement initiatives.

Key Interfaces

• EcoRecycle Team Lead
• CTV / DLT Recycling Teams
• Production
• EHS
• Logistics
• Equipment / Maintenance
• Purchasing
• Finance & Accounting
• Trade & Customs Compliance
• Waste disposal and recycling vendors
• Logistics and transportation providers

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Environmental Management, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Experience in manufacturing, plant operations, recycling, waste management, logistics, or a related field preferred.
• Basic understanding of manufacturing operations and plant processes.
• Strong cross-functional communication and coordination skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, action items, and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and follow-up skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with vendor sourcing, quotation comparison, bidding, vendor management, or contract coordination preferred.
• Experience with logistics, domestic shipping, or import/export activities preferred.
• Korean and English bilingual communication skills preferred.

Core Competencies

• Field-oriented problem identification and continuous improvement
• Cross-functional coordination
• Execution and follow-through
• Problem analysis and resolution
• Vendor management and negotiation
• Cost reduction and revenue improvement mindset
• Data analysis and management reporting
• Project and schedule management
• Ownership and accountability
• Ability to support and coordinate operations across multiple facilities