Operations Manager

The Operations Manager MRF oversees daily processing maintenance coordination and workforce management within a high-volume Material Recovery Facility (MRF). This role drives production throughput manages plant operating budgets enforces strict environmental health and safety (EHS) standards and optimizes recycling recovery rates. As an operational leader the MRF Operations Manager leads a multi-shift workforce streamlines inbound/outbound logistics and aligns daily operations with corporate safety financial and commodity quality goals.

What We Offer

• Competitive Compensation: Robust hourly wage with regular overtime opportunities.
• Comprehensive Health Benefits: Prioritized vision and orthodontic coverage life insurance and extended medical.
• Financial Security: Company-matched Retirement Savings Plan.
• Career Growth: Long-term investment in your professional development within a growing North American industry leader.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Production Performance

• Lead daily plant operations to meet or exceed budgeted throughput recovery targets and operational expenditure (OpEx) limits.
• Direct shift operations in collaboration with Operations Supervisors monitoring machine uptimes sorting efficiency and inbound/outbound material flow.
• Optimize scale house and tipping floor traffic to minimize truck turnaround times eliminate bottlenecks and ensure smooth offloading and loading operations.
• Partner with the Operations Coordinator to maintain accurate production tracking labor scheduling and executive operational reporting.

Safety Health & Environmental Compliance

• Champion plant safety initiatives to cultivate a zero-incident culture; serve as the primary operational partner to the Director of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS).
• Conduct and document daily toolbox talks behavioral safety observations hazard assessments near-miss analyses and formal root-cause incident investigations.
• Actively collaborate with the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) to facilitate timely workplace audits and promptly remediate identified hazards.
• Enforce regulatory compliance across local provincial/state and federal environmental and workplace safety frameworks (e.g. OSHA/CCOHS EPA/Ministry of Environment).

Plant Maintenance & Technical Oversight

• Partner with the Maintenance Supervisor to prioritize schedule and execute preventive maintenance (PM) programs around production windows.
• Conduct daily shift rounds to audit sorting screens optical sorters balers conveyors and mobile equipment; verify pre-operational inspections and resolve equipment deficiencies immediately.
• Apply mechanical aptitude to troubleshoot operational disruptions diagnose root causes and optimize mechanical processing lines.

Workforce Management & Employee Engagement

• Direct hiring onboarding continuous training performance reviews and progressive disciplinary actions for hourly production staff sorters and operators.
• Establish clear key performance indicators (KPIs) for shift supervisors and production staff fostering accountability retention and leadership development.
• Promote an inclusive high-morale work environment across diverse multi-shift production teams.

Quality Control Inventory & Logistics

• Ensure daily commodity quality audits meet strict mill and end-market contamination specifications.
• Coordinate with the Sales & Commodities Administration team to manage finished bale inventory storage yard capacity and domestic/export freight logistics.
• Adjust sorting line configurations and line speeds dynamically based on inbound composition to protect finished bale purity.

Qualifications & Competencies

• Experience: Minimum 5 years of progressive operations or production management experience in a recycling facility (MRF) waste management facility or high-throughput industrial manufacturing environment.
• Education: High school diploma or GED required; an Associate or Bachelors degree in Operations Management Engineering Business or related technical field is preferred.
• Technical Proficiency:
  • Strong mechanical aptitude with hands-on knowledge of sorting screens optical sorters eddy currents balers conveyors and rolling stock.
  • Intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word Excel Outlook PowerPoint); familiarity with ERP CMMS or plant automation software is an asset.
• Leadership & Organization:
  • Proven track record leading direct reports and front-line production crews in a fast-paced environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple concurrent workstreams without sacrificing safety or quality.
• Communication: Strong interpersonal verbal and written communication skills across all organizational tiers (from front-line sorters to executive management).
• Work Schedule Flexibility: Ability and willingness to work flexible schedules including early mornings extended shifts weekends and holidays as operational emergencies dictate.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

GFL is committed to equal opportunity for all without regard to race religion color national origin citizenship sex sexual orientation gender identity age veteran status disability genetic information or any other protected characteristic. If you are interested in applying for employment and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply for a posted position please contact

Please note that GFL does not provide visa sponsorshipfor this position. Valid work authorization in the country where the job is located is candidates will be required to provide valid documentation confirming their eligibility to work in the country where the job is located prior to their start date.

This hiring process may utilize machine-based systems to assist in screening and assessing applicants. Final selection decisions are made by our recruitment team.