Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Recycling Manager

🎯 Role Definition

A Recycling Manager is a critical operational leader at the forefront of the circular economy. This role is responsible for the comprehensive management of a recycling facility, transforming discarded materials into valuable commodities. More than just a plant manager, the Recycling Manager is a strategic leader who bridges the gap between environmental stewardship and profitable business operations. They ensure the safety of their team, the efficiency of their processes, and the quality of their product, all while navigating a complex landscape of regulations, commodity markets, and logistics. This position is pivotal for organizations committed to sustainability, making a tangible impact on reducing landfill waste and conserving natural resources.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Recycling Coordinator or Environmental Specialist
Operations Supervisor (Manufacturing or Logistics)
Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Supervisor

Advancement To:

General Manager or Area Manager (Waste Services)
Director of Operations
Director of Sustainability or Environmental Compliance

Lateral Moves:

Plant Manager (in a related industry)
Logistics & Transportation Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Oversee the entire scope of daily operations within the recycling facility, including material receiving, sorting, processing, baling, and shipping, to ensure maximum productivity and operational uptime.
Develop, implement, and rigorously enforce comprehensive safety programs and protocols in full compliance with OSHA, EPA, and other relevant state and federal regulations to cultivate a zero-incident work environment.
Manage the facility's full Profit & Loss (P&L) statement, including developing annual budgets, forecasting revenue and expenses, monitoring financial performance, and implementing strategic cost-control measures.
Lead, coach, train, and mentor a diverse team of supervisors, equipment operators, sorters, maintenance technicians, and administrative staff, fostering a culture of safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Conduct regular performance evaluations, provide constructive and timely feedback, and manage all employee relations issues, including conflict resolution, disciplinary actions, and labor relations in unionized environments.
Ensure all facility operations and material shipments strictly adhere to environmental regulations and permit requirements, managing all necessary data collection and reporting to regulatory agencies.
Establish and maintain robust quality control procedures to ensure the purity and marketability of all outbound commodities (fiber, plastic, metal, etc.), consistently meeting or exceeding buyer specifications.
Cultivate and manage relationships with commodity brokers and end-market consumers, actively negotiating pricing and service contracts to maximize revenue from the sale of recycled materials.
Coordinate and optimize all inbound and outbound logistics, including managing the truck fleet, optimizing routes, and scheduling transportation to ensure a smooth and cost-effective flow of materials.
Direct a comprehensive preventative maintenance program for all fixed and mobile plant equipment (e.g., balers, conveyors, optical sorters, loaders) to minimize downtime, reduce repair costs, and extend asset life.
Analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) such as tons per hour (TPH), material recovery rates, contamination levels, and cost-per-ton to identify operational trends and drive data-informed decisions.
Champion and lead continuous improvement projects, often utilizing methodologies like Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma, to enhance operational processes, reduce residual waste, and increase overall efficiency.
Effectively manage inventory levels of both processed commodities and unprocessed feedstock to ensure operational continuity while minimizing carrying costs and optimizing storage space.
Serve as the primary operational point of contact for municipal clients, major commercial customers, and the general public, professionally addressing inquiries, resolving service issues, and strengthening partnerships.
Prepare and deliver detailed operational, financial, and safety reports to senior leadership, clearly articulating performance metrics, ongoing challenges, and strategic recommendations for improvement.
Stay current with emerging recycling technologies, sorting equipment, and industry best practices by attending trade shows and networking, evaluating their potential application to improve facility performance.
Collaborate with business development and sales teams to assess the operational feasibility and financial viability of accepting new material streams to support business growth.
Oversee the procurement of essential supplies, equipment parts, and third-party services, ensuring cost-effectiveness, negotiating favorable terms, and managing vendor performance.
Develop, document, and execute contingency plans to address potential operational disruptions, such as major equipment failures, labor shortages, or sudden commodity market fluctuations.
Ensure the accurate and timely collection of all weight and volume data for inbound and outbound materials, maintaining meticulous records for financial settlement, regulatory reporting, and operational analysis.

Secondary Functions

Represent the organization at industry conferences, trade shows, and community events to promote recycling initiatives and network with peers.
Collaborate with the Public Relations or Marketing team to develop educational materials and campaigns for the public.
Assist in grant writing and proposal development for new equipment, technology, or program funding.
Mentor junior staff and supervisors to support their professional development and create a succession pipeline.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

MRF Operations Management: Deep understanding of the processes within a Materials Recovery Facility, including sorting technologies (e.g., optical sorters, eddy currents), baling, and material flow.
Regulatory Compliance: Expert knowledge of environmental regulations (EPA, state-level) and occupational safety standards (OSHA) specific to the waste industry.
Financial Acumen: Proven ability in P&L management, budget creation and oversight, financial forecasting, and capital expenditure (CapEx) justification.
-Logistics and Fleet Management: Proficiency in managing transportation logistics, truck routing, and DOT compliance for a fleet of vehicles.
Commodity Knowledge: Strong understanding of commodity grading, quality specifications, and market dynamics for paper, plastics, metals, and glass.
Maintenance Principles: Familiarity with preventative and predictive maintenance programs for heavy industrial equipment.

Soft Skills

Inspirational Leadership: The ability to lead, motivate, and develop a large and diverse workforce, often in a physically demanding environment.
Analytical Problem-Solving: A knack for digging into data, identifying the root cause of operational issues, and implementing effective, lasting solutions.
Negotiation and Influence: Skill in negotiating contracts and pricing with vendors, customers, and commodity brokers to the benefit of the organization.
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of effectively interacting with everyone from frontline employees to senior executives and municipal clients.
Resilience and Adaptability: The capacity to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where priorities can shift rapidly due to market or operational changes.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s Degree

Preferred Education:

Master’s Degree (MBA, Environmental Management, or similar)

Relevant Fields of Study:

Environmental Science or Management
Business Administration or Operations Management
Industrial Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

5-8 years of progressive experience in waste management, recycling, or a related industrial operations setting. This must include at least 3 years in a direct supervisory or management role with responsibility for safety, operations, and budget.

Preferred:

Direct experience managing a high-throughput single-stream or dual-stream Materials Recovery Facility (MRF).
Experience managing in a unionized labor environment.
A verifiable track record of improving key operational metrics, such as safety incident rates, employee retention, material recovery, and profitability.