Manager - Operations, Recycling & Hauling, CO

Role Overview

Manager – Operations, Recycling & Hauling, CO is responsible for day-to-day execution, team coordination, and performance management of CAA’s open market recycling collection network across Colorado that includes private-sector service providers and haulers for collection and drop-off programs.

This role translates operational efficiencies into actionable workplans, leads a small team, and supports open market service provider onboarding and performance improvement. The role is operationally focused and works in close coordination with the Director of Operations, CAA national teams in reporting and finance, outside consultants, and legal partners.

Key Responsibilities

With direction from the Director of Operations and support from CAA national subject matter experts, this role is accountable for leading the Open Market business segment. This includes managing timelines, risks, and deliverables to support implementation, service expansion and improvement, service agreement change orders, compliance, and collection performance objectives.

• Responsible for private-sector service provider relationships and operations for Open Market EPR programs.
• Lead and support collection program staff to ensure clear priorities, accountability, coordination, and completion of assigned work.
• Represent CAA Colorado at service provider and industry meetings, including business reviews, work sessions, and other collection-related meetings.
• Oversee day-to-day service provider performance across the collection network, including onboarding, operational readiness, service delivery, reporting, annual cost evaluation, reimbursement change orders, and service-level compliance.
• Review operational, contractual, reporting, and performance metrics; identify issues, trends, risks, and improvement opportunities to ensure reimbursement obligations are met.
• Lead corrective action follow-up and performance improvement activities for underperforming service providers, escalating material issues to the Director of Operations as appropriate.
• Coordinate with legal, procurement, claims, finance, compliance, project managers, consultants, and other CAA national teams to negotiate contracts, optimize program operations and achieve growth targets.
• Manage collection-related implementation activities, open market service provider support, drop-off operations, service expansion, and enhancements to the customer experience.
• Collaborate with CAA communications team on service provider education and outreach.
• Collaborate with the State leadership team to expand regulatory advancements in EPR.
• Support procurement and contract activities by helping develop scopes, evaluation materials, vendor communications, implementation plans, and contract administration processes.
• Support studies, pilots, and process improvements that test or implement alternative collection approaches or operational improvements.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills & Competencies

• Demonstrated understanding of residential recycling collection operations, drop-off sites, contracted collection, service provider networks, and logistics.
• Experience supporting RFPs, evaluation criteria, technical and financial reviews, contract negotiation, implementation planning, and ongoing contract administration.
• Experience supervising or leading small teams, assigning priorities, coaching staff, and ensuring progress against deadlines and deliverables.
• Adept in workflow automations, AI, Saleforce and back-of-house technology platforms.
• Role includes travel to meet with service providers, haulers, transfer stations, MRFs, drop-off sites, and other operational partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, operations, sustainability, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in recycling, solid waste, procurement, contract administration, operational program management, vendor management, account management, or service provider operations.
• A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record must be maintained.

Compensation & Other Information

• Location: Remote from the United States
• Pay Rate: Based on a variety of factors in accordance with applicable law, including the successful candidate’s relevant experience, skills, knowledge, and experience.
• Reports To: Director – Operations, CO

Circular Action Alliance is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions, national origin, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you require accommodation as part of the application process, please contact careers@circularaction.org.