Job Description

The MRF Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Material Recovery Facility, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant processing of recyclable materials. This role provides leadership to supervisors, line workers, and equipment operators while maintaining a strong focus on safety, quality control, throughput, and contamination reduction. The MRF Manager drives continuous improvement, ensures compliance with environmental and safety regulations, and collaborates with company leadership to achieve operational and financial goals.

Reports To

Area Vice President/Area General Manager

Essential Job Duties:

• Manage all facility operations, including receiving, sorting, processing, and shipping of recyclable materials.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, and state/local regulations, as well as company safety standards.
• Monitor production metrics such as recovery rates, contamination levels, and throughput, and implement corrective actions when needed.
• Supervise and develop facility supervisors and frontline employees, fostering a culture of accountability and teamwork.
• Coordinate maintenance activities to minimize downtime and optimize equipment performance.
• Review and approve shift reports, production data, and safety documentation.
• Drive continuous improvement projects aimed at operational efficiency, cost reduction, and increased material recovery.
• Collaborate with sales and customer service teams to address customer concerns, quality issues, and service requests.
• Partner with the executive team on budget management, capital improvement planning, and long-term facility strategy.

Scope of Responsibility:

This role oversees the full operational performance of the facility, ensuring safe, high-quality, and cost-efficient processing. It holds decision-making authority for staffing, scheduling, equipment utilization, and process improvements. The position directly influences profitability through contamination control, recovery optimization, labor management, and maintenance efficiency.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

• Strong knowledge of MRF operations, including recycling processes, sorting systems, and equipment.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to manage large teams in a fast-paced industrial environment.
• Familiarity with OSHA and environmental regulations, with a commitment to safety-first culture.
• Strong analytical skills to track KPIs, evaluate data trends, and implement process improvements.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to coordinate across departments including maintenance, customer service, and sales.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in operations management, Environmental Science, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of management experience in a MRF, manufacturing, logistics, or waste/recycling facility.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing unionized employees preferred.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

• Frequent standing, walking, climbing, and exposure to facility operations.
• Ability to lift up to [75 lbs.] occasionally.
• Work environment includes exposure to noise, dust, odors, moving equipment, and varying indoor/outdoor conditions.
• Required use of PPE (hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, steel-toe boots, and high-visibility vest).

Travel Required:

• Minimal; occasional travel for training, meetings, or company projects.

This job description is designed to provide a general overview of the responsibilities and qualifications required for the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties or qualifications.