Operations Manager at Gold Medal Environmental - Apple Valley Waste Inc – Charles Town, West Virginia

About Apple Valley Waste (AVW):

Apple Valley Waste (AVW) is an innovative and rapidly growing waste management company operating in the Mid-Atlantic region. As we continue to expand, we pride ourselves on providing top-notch waste collection, recycling, and disposal services. We believe in investing in our people and empowering our teams to drive excellence. If you’re looking for a high-energy, impactful role in a fast-paced industry, we want to hear from you!

Position Overview:

The Operations Manager plays a critical role in managing the daily operations of waste collection, including commercial, industrial, and residential customers. You will oversee a geographically dispersed team consisting of Operations Supervisors, Dispatchers, Drivers, and Helpers, ensuring effective route management, safety, compliance, and customer service. This role is central to driving operational success, meeting safety and regulatory standards, and implementing strategic initiatives to achieve budget goals and enhance the customer experience

If you thrive in a fast-paced, critical environment and enjoy leading teams to success, this is the opportunity for you!

Key Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership & Development: Lead and manage a team of drivers, helpers, and route supervisors. Responsibilities include dispatch, recruiting, onboarding, coaching, conducting performance reviews, and taking corrective action when necessary. Set daily expectations, monitor team performance, and develop clear KPIs tied to safety, efficiency, and service delivery.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee daily operations for commercial, roll-off, and residential waste collection services. Utilize route management software, and existing management reporting to maximize fleet efficiency. Monitor labor hours, vehicle usage, and tipping/disposal costs to ensure budget adherence. Identify and implement process improvements to reduce overtime and downtime.
• Customer & Government Interaction: Act as a key point of contact for customers, local, state, and federal government employees, ensuring customer service issues are addressed promptly and effectively. Ensure all regulatory compliance standards are met.
• Safety & Compliance: Enforce all DOT, OSHA, and company-specific safety protocols. Conduct and document daily pre-trip inspections, safety tailgates, and near-miss reviews. Lead monthly facility safety audits and track incident rates to drive continuous improvement. Maintain proper documentation for compliance and insurance purposes.
• Change Management: Drive the rollout of new Tablets, Zello, and RouteBook route sequencing software. Lead rerouting plans/implementation, gather feedback from frontline staff, drivers, and helper, along with working with senior leadership to refine implementation strategies. Use data to measure impact and adjust operations accordingly.
• Build Relationships: Develop and maintain strong relationships with government, community, and environmental groups. Act as the face of GME in local markets.
• Special Hours: This role may require early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays, depending on business needs.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strategic & Tactical Thinking: Ability to align daily execution with broader business goals while remaining detail-oriented in managing routes, staffing, and equipment.
• Proven People Leadership: Demonstrated success in managing frontline employees and supervisors, including navigating labor disputes, performance plans, and morale challenges.
• Operational Efficiency Focus: Experience using KPIs such as route stops/hour, on-time completion rates, or fuel cost per route to monitor and improve performance.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making: Strong judgment in managing service disruptions, driver callouts, or equipment failures with minimal impact to customers.
• Interpersonal Skills: Able to build trust and credibility with staff, peers, customers, and municipal stakeholders alike.
• Customer-Focused: Track record of improving customer satisfaction scores or reducing complaint volume.
• Compliance Knowledge: Understanding of relevant DOT/FMCSA regulations, OSHA standards, and environmental compliance requirements in solid waste.
• Technology Proficiency: Comfort with tablets, GPS tracking via Lytx/3rd Eye/Other systems, Microsoft Office, and route dispatch systems [TRUX or Tower]; able to extract and analyze performance data to make informed decisions.

Qualifications, Education, and Experience:

• High School Diploma or G.E.D. required.
• Minimum of 2 years of management experience in a similar field
• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in business or related field
• Preferred: Class A or B CDL.
• Experience in managing a team in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment.
• Strong safety knowledge and a proven track record of managing safety programs and initiatives.

Benefits & Perks:

• Home Every Night: Enjoy a work-life balance with no overnight travel required.
• Boot Allowance: Yearly boot allowance to ensure safety and comfort on the job.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Retirement Plans: 401(k) plan with company match to help you secure your financial future.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Generous vacation and sick leave to ensure a healthy balance between work and personal life.
• Career Growth: As we expand, there will be numerous opportunities for professional advancement.
• Employee Discounts: Enjoy discounts on a variety of services and products
• Dynamic Work Environment: A fast-paced, challenging work environment where every day is different, and your decisions matter.

Why Apple Valley Waste?

At GME, we offer more than just a job—we offer an exciting opportunity to lead and make a significant impact on the community and environment. As an Operations Manager, you will be at the heart of a fast-growing company, driving both operational success and customer satisfaction. If you thrive in a dynamic environment and are eager to take on a leadership role with a company that values growth and sustainability, apply now!

Equal Opportunity Employer

Apple Valley Waste is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions at GME are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.