General Manager - Recycling & Waste Operations

Who We Are

At Garbarino Disposal, we do essential work that keeps our communities running - and we believe the people doing that work deserve structure, respect, and opportunity.

We’re a third-generation, family-owned waste and recycling company with deep roots, strong values, and a team we genuinely care about. Our values are not posters on a wall. They show up in how we lead, how we communicate, and how we treat each other:

Pride. Grit. Respect. Transparency. Empathy.

Vision: Elevate people through essential work building meaningful careers and people that

strengthen our communities.

Mission:

Provide an essential service that safely and efficiently enables communities and people to flourish.

We’re in the middle of an important evolution. The business is growing, the leadership structure is being built intentionally, and ownership is transitioning toward a more strategic, governance-focused role. The General Manager is central to the shift and restructure.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a sharp-minded General Manager who can develop, mold, and refine efficient processes across the organization. The General Manager sees inefficiency and instinctively wants to structure it.

This General Manager will oversee 4 direct reports, each of whom leads their own teams. You will not just manage individuals - you will design the leadership layer that supports the entire operation.

You must be equally comfortable:

• Reviewing P&Ls and forecasts in the morning
• Walking in the yard with drivers and mechanics in the afternoon
• And grabbing a beer with the team in the evening, laughing like family

This is a builder’s seat for someone who wants to step into a hands-on leadership role, shape the future of a legacy business, and make a real impact on people’s lives.

You’ll be the central operator of the business - owning day-to-day operations, leading leaders, building systems, and reinforcing culture. You’ll work closely with ownership while gradually reducing the need for them to be involved in daily execution.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Operational Leadership

• Own daily field, yard, shop, and route operations across the organization
• Ensure routes, equipment, and people are aligned and supported
• Drive labor efficiency, fleet reliability, and service consistency
• Lead the Team Captain and department leaders with clarity and accountability

People & Culture

• Coach, develop, and support leaders and frontline team members
• Conduct regular 1:1s and performance coaching rooted in respect and growth
• Lead with empathy while holding clear expectations and standards
• Reinforce Pride, Grit, Respect, Transparency, and Empathy values in daily decisions and behavior
• Build a culture where accountability and care coexist

Financial & Strategic Oversight

• Own P&L performance, budgeting, forecasting, and cost management
• Participate in weekly owner meetings and operational reviews
• Implement KPIs, SOPs, and operating rhythms that create predictability
• Support long-term planning and capital allocation

Safety & Maintenance

• Oversee fleet maintenance, PM schedules, inspections, and repairs
• Ensure safety programs, training, and compliance are executed consistently
• Own accident reporting, risk management, and insurance coordination
• Maintain yard organization, cleanliness, and efficiency

Union, Lobbying, & Compliance Leadership

• Lead union and non-union teams with fairness and professionalism
• Representing the company in labor discussions and negotiations
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, DOT, DEQ, Clean Water Services, FMCSA, and other regulatory bodies
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with elected officials, industry trade associations, and local jurisdictions

Systems & Tools

• Lead adoption and use of operational systems including Fleetio, Samsara, Elements (Routeware), AccuTrax, Paychex, QuickBooks, LivePlan, WhatsApp, Google Drive and Dropbox
• Use systems for effective communication, promoting smooth, calm operations

Requirements

• 10+ years of leadership experience in operations, logistics, waste/recycling, transportation, or a closely related field. (required)
• Proven experience managing union, non-union teams, and culture shaping initiatives
• Strong financial acumen with P&L ownership, budgeting, and forecasting
• Experience with regulatory compliance (OSHA, DOT, DEQ, FMCSA, Clean Water Services)
• Track record of implementing KPIs, SOPs, and operational systems
• Deep understanding of fleet operations, route optimization, and customer service
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Comfort representing the company publicly and with government agencies
• Proven experience with systems: Fleetio, Samsara, and Elements (routeware) or similar platforms
• Industry experience in logistics, transportation, distribution, manufacturing, warehouse, maintenance or military

Preferred Qualifications

• Union negotiation or CBA interpretation experience
• Exposure to EOS or similar operating systems
• Experience with M&A, integration, or major operational change

Who You Are

• Have led complex operations with both union and non-union teams
• Aren’t afraid to get dirty or step into the field when needed
• Know how to build structure without killing culture
• Lead with grit, humility, and accountability
• Can coach up, down, and across an organization
• Thrive in environments with legacy, emotion, and opportunity
• A strategic thinker and logical problem-solver

You might be coming from a larger company where you’ve learned best practices, but are tired of bureaucracy, politics, or being disconnected from the people doing the work.

Benefits

• Total Compensation: $100,000–$140,000 (base + incentive)
• Union-level health benefits
• PTO and profit sharing
• Long-term growth opportunity within a family-owned business
• Open most Holidays (Christmas Day and New Years Day Off)

How to Apply

If you’re looking for a meaningful leadership seat where you can build, coach, and shape the future of a company and its people, we’d love to hear from you. If you’re looking for an easy role, this isn’t it.

Apply to this job with a resume, Click the link below to complete the Assessment for job fit.

https://TeamArchitects.asmt.io/XG44X43GH/GarbarinoGeneralManage-Assessment

Apply with your resume and a brief note about why this role and this type of company matters to you.