Director, Recycling Collection Operations - Alberta

OVERVIEW
Reporting to the Managing Director - AB, the Director, Collection Operations - Alberta, is a key member of the leadership team, acting as a hands-on participative Director to continuously improve the collection of residential recyclable materials (Designated Materials) in Alberta as dictated by the Extended Producer Responsibility Regulation 194/2022 for Single-Use Products, Packaging and Paper Products and Yukon Regulation OJ.C. 2024/19. The Director, Recycling Collection Operations will guide the collection services, procurement and implementation strategies and support the delivery of post-collection services for Circular Material (CM). Other responsibilities include collaborating on material quality and audit services, innovation, and technological improvements through pilot projects with the National Operations team.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy Development and Implementation:

• Support the development and implementation of a comprehensive operations strategy to deliver a cost-efficient residential recycling system compliant with provincial and territorial regulations.
• Participate in the review and update of the annual operations strategy and contribute to the development of annual or other business plans.
• Assist in developing an operations risk management strategy, including commercial and vendor risks.

Collection Network and Contract Management:

• Implement a province-wide collection network for all program materials with sufficient capacity to meet program plan and budget targets.
• Implement collection channel commercial frameworks and terms and conditions consistent with budget and collection performance targets.
• Support CM's procurement processes, including technical operational input into contracts, document management, evaluation, and award of contracts.
• Oversee the negotiation of service delivery by collection contractors and the extension and/or assignment of service provider contracts.
• Provide oversight to collection services such as P&E and Administration as per service provider agreements.
• Ensure quality and timely delivery of collection services to post-collection facilities.
• Monitor and manage CM's relationships with key stakeholders and contracted service providers to identify and manage risks, resolve issues, and manage disputes.

Performance and Quality Management:

• Establish quality management and continuous improvement systems to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of collection services, including monitoring service providers' performance against contracted metrics.
• Lead the interface between CM's collection service providers and post-collection.
• Actively identify opportunities for innovation, improvements in collection standards, increased operational efficiencies, and reduced residue to support the post-collection system.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Recruit and oversee a team of contract managers and field services staff to ensure the effective fulfillment of objectives and flexibility to respond to unplanned operations challenges and opportunities.
• Mentor, coach, and manage the performance of direct reports, ensuring succession planning strategies to mitigate service disruptions.
• Lead team development and staffing levels in collaboration with the HR support team.

Budgeting and Reporting:

• Participate in the development of a well-researched and planned annual operations budget to support forecasted operational activities and initiatives.
• Prepare accurate, timely, and data-driven reports as required.

Collaboration and Support:

• Publicly support strategic decision-making and operations while acting as a positive and contributing member of the senior management team.
• Collaborate with the National Operations team on areas of material quality and audit, technology, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Supervise, lead, and support special projects with assistance from National Operations, in accordance with agreed-upon time frames and budget.

Other Duties:

• Perform other duties as required, including attendance at events and third-party meetings.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree, college diploma, or equivalent management experience in a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience leading recycling collection systems, including types, specifications, operating standards, performance metrics, and outcomes.
• Continuing education and professional development in project management is an asset.
• Advanced knowledge of procurement processes with 10+ years of hands-on experience.
• 7+ years of experience in contract management and vendor relations as a decision-maker.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strategic thinker with the ability to execute operationally while balancing priorities and outcomes.
• Highly skilled in leadership and management, effectively directing, motivating, and mentoring direct reports while managing performance outcomes.
• Proficient at influencing and leading change by envisioning, articulating, and executing operational strategies aligned with strategic objectives, focusing on both long-term goals and short-term priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills, building relationships and teams through collaboration and respect.
• Demonstrates unquestionable integrity, ethics, and standards, aligned with CM's values, and holds others to the same.
• Uses professional judgment and decision-making rooted in logic and sound reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of different approaches, solutions, or conclusions.
• Creative thinker capable of solving routine and unique problems.
• Exceptional communication skills tailored to the audience, conveying messages effectively and accurately to garner understanding or agreement.
• Able to translate technical information into clear, fact-based messages.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including negotiation, persuasion, and collaboration.
• Quick thinker, flexible and adaptive in complex and challenging situations, managing stress or unexpected events without defensiveness or irritation, and acting as a calming influence during crises.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Working hours - Full-Time hours, of not less than 40 hours per work week, or as needed in the fulfillment of duties.
• Activity Based Work model (home office based in Alberta).
• This role requires coordinating and meeting with internal and external stakeholders in multiple Canadian time zones.
• Travel for field work, meetings and events required as needed
• Driver's license - A valid driver's license is required.

Circular Materials is a national producer-led not for profit organization that supports producers in meeting their obligations under extended producer responsibility regulations across Canada. We are committed to building efficient and effective recycling systems to minimize waste, and ensure materials are reused again and again. Through the support of our founders and member producers, Circular Materials is implementing a national harmonized approach focused on improving recovery rates, meeting the needs and expectations of consumers, and protecting the natural environment. The team is currently working remotely.

For more information visit: http://www.circularmaterials.ca

Think you would be a good fit for our Director, Recycling Collection Operations - Alberta position? We want to hear from you!

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those under consideration will be contacted.

Circular Materials is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, 2019, and all applicable provincial accessibility standards, accommodation will be provided by Circular Materials throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities, upon request by emailing to This email is only used for accommodation requests.