Function: Operations
Title: Director of operations – Recovery Division
Location: Flexible but prefer in the North-East or Mid-West of the United-States.
Job type: Full time – Remote
POSITION SUMMARY
We are seeking a dynamic, growth oriented, results-driven Director of Operations to oversee the performance, safety, and strategic direction of eight wastepaper recovery facilities across North America. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence, ensuring safety and compliance, optimizing resource utilization, and leading a diverse team of facility managers and staff. This position will report directly to the General Manager of Recovery with a dotted line to Sustana’s Chief Operations Officer and VP of Operations
BENEFITS
At Sustana, we offer our employees a benefits package including:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead and supervise day-to-day operations across all eight facilities, ensuring consistent performance and adherence to company standards.
- Champion a safety-first culture across all facilities, ensuring adherence to health, safety and environmental (HSE) regulations
- Develop and implement operational strategies to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase recovery rates.
- Ensure compliance with all local, state/provincial, and federal environmental and safety regulations.
- Oversee budgeting and forecasting, including capital expenditures and operational costs.
- Support special projects and strategic initiatives through ad hoc data analysis, particularly in areas related to production efficiency and material quality.
- Mentor and support facility managers, fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
- Collaborate with logistics, sales, and procurement teams to align operations with business goals.
- Monitor KPIs and work cross functionally with fiber and paper operations to report on productivity, quality, and sustainability metrics.
- Drive innovation in process improvements and paper recovery technologies.
- Lead incident investigations and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
- Promote employee engagement in safety programs and behavior-based safety initiatives.
- Ensure all staff receive up-to-date training on equipment use, PPE, and emergency response.
- Lead regular cross-site meetings and training programs to promote best practices and knowledge sharing.
- Lead by example with Sustana’s cultural values promoting a positive work environment focused on employee engagement and development
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Environmental Science, Engineering, or related field.
- 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in recycling, waste management, manufacturing, or industrial operations. (recycling or waste management preferred)
- Proficiency in Spanish and/or French (Canadian) to support effective communication across multilingual teams and facilities.
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP), OSHA 30, or equivalent safety training.
- Proven track record of managing multi-site operations across regions.
- Strong knowledge of recovery type processes, especially paper recovery, baling and sorting systems.
- Excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
- Proficient in Excel and able to manipulate reports and analyze data.
- Lean Six Sigma certification or equivalent process improvement training.
- Experience with ERP systems and data-driven decision-making.
- Familiarity with North American environmental regulations and sustainability frameworks
OTHER INFORMATION
The Director of operations will primarily work remotely but may require site visits to various locations on average 50% of the time. These sites are located in Canada and the United States.
Sustana provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.