Food Waste Collection Manager

Position Summary

The Food Waste Collection Manager is responsible for planning, directing, and overseeing all daily food waste collection operations to ensure safe, efficient, compliant, and cost-effective service delivery. This position manages drivers while ensuring customers receive reliable collection services. The manager continuously evaluates operational performance through data analysis and implements process improvements that increase productivity, reduce operating costs, and support the company's environmental sustainability goals.

The role requires strong leadership, logistics management, customer service, regulatory compliance, and financial management skills. The Food Waste Route Collection Manager serves as the primary operational leader responsible for meeting collection targets, maintaining fleet efficiency, and ensuring employee safety.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Operations Management

• Direct all daily collection activities for commercial food waste routes.
• Develop, assign, and adjust collection routes to maximize productivity and minimize travel time.
• Coordinate daily dispatch activities and respond to service disruptions.
• Monitor route completion throughout each shift using GPS and route management software.
• Implement contingency plans for vehicle breakdowns, staffing shortages, weather events, and emergency situations.

Route Planning and Optimization

• Design efficient collection routes using route optimization software.
• Balance workloads among drivers.
• Optimize vehicle utilization and minimize overtime.
• Analyze route density, customer growth, and service frequency.
• Evaluate stop times and collection productivity.
• Coordinate seasonal route adjustments.
• Develop startup routes for new customers.

Staff Leadership and Supervision

• Recruit, interview, hire, and onboard drivers.
• Conduct employee performance evaluations.
• Establish performance expectations and accountability measures.
• Coach employees to improve productivity and customer service.
• Administer disciplinary action when necessary.
• Promote teamwork and a positive workplace culture.
• Conduct regular safety meetings and operational briefings.
• Recognize outstanding employee performance.

Fleet Management

• Coordinate preventive maintenance schedules.
• Ensure compliance with inspection requirements.
• Review daily vehicle inspection reports.
• Coordinate emergency repairs.
• Work with maintenance personnel to minimize downtime and schedule repairs.
• Ensure proper sanitation of food waste collection vehicles.

Safety Management

• Ensure compliance with OSHA, DOT, FMCSA, and local regulations.
• Investigate accidents and incidents.
• Implement corrective actions.
• Perform ride-alongs and field observations.
• Ensure drivers complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections.
• Ensure proper use of PPE.
• Promote a safety-first culture throughout operations.

Environmental Compliance

• Coordinate with composting facilities.
• Ensure proper handling of organic materials.
• Monitor contamination rates.

Customer Service

• Resolve customer complaints promptly.
• Investigate missed collections.
• Coordinate special pickups.
• Collaborate with the sales team during customer onboarding.

Financial Management

• Manage fuel expenditures.
• Control overtime expenses.
• Review vendor invoices.
• Analyze operational costs.
• Monitor profitability by route.
• Assist with capital equipment planning.

Reporting and Administration

• Maintain operational records.
• Prepare productivity reports.
• Analyze driver performance.
• Monitor attendance.
• Review payroll information.
• Maintain training records.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Transportation, Business Administration, Environmental Management, or a related field preferred.
• Five or more years of transportation, logistics, waste management, recycling, or fleet operations experience.
• Three or more years of supervisory or management experience.
• Experience managing employees in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Knowledge of fleet management software.
• Strong computer proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Valid driver's license.
• CDL preferred but not required.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in office and field environments.
• Ability to walk collection sites and vehicle yards.
• Lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to climb into commercial vehicles when necessary.
• Exposure to outdoor weather conditions.
• Exposure to odors associated with organic waste collection.
• Ability to respond to emergencies outside normal business hours.

Working Conditions

• Office environment combined with field operations.
• Early morning start times.
• Weekend and holiday coverage as required.
• Emergency response during severe weather and operational disruptions.