Chief Executive Officer (Virginia)

Chief Executive Officer | Recycling and/or waste operations | Virginia

Must Haves

• Recycling and/or waste operations, environmental sectors preferred (will consider industries such as industrial, logistics, warehousing, and/or manufacturing overseeing multi-site/multi-location.
• 10+ years experience in progressive executive leadership role
• Direct P&L $50m
• Proven experience leading business through scale up, restructuring, and/or turnaround situations.

The Company:

Operating through a global joint venture partnership, our client is rapidly growing recycling business experiencing significant growth driven by strong market demand and strategic execution. Headquarters in Virginia, and with operations in two countries and four states, they are expanding its operational footprint and infrastructure to support increasing volume and customer demand, while maintaining a focus on efficiency, environmental impact and long-term value creation. The

Our client is seeking an accomplished recycling operations leader to lead a global recycling materials business unit through its next stage of growth, operational refinement, and strategic expansion. With autonomy, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will be responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction and operational performance of the business. This role will oversee multiple warehouses with a focus on logistics, inventory management, reporting and environmental/health & safety compliance. Overseeing multiple recycling plants with a focus on delivering highly efficient, high quality operational performance, and development of a high performing culture.

This position will initially report to the President of the holding company during an onboarding period designed to build organizational knowledge, before transitioning to report directly to the Chairman of the Board, with two (2) direct reports.

The Requirements

• 10–15+ years of relevant experience in an executive leadership role as a CEO, COO, President, VP of Operations, General Manager, or divisional leader with enterprise-level responsibility. Open to an executive who’s drive, ambition and hunger to win outweigh years of experience.
• Proven track record of driving growth, operational excellence, and strategic plan execution with P&L management, capital allocation and long -term business planning.
• Recycling and/or waste operations, environmental sectors are preferred. Must have a background in high volume/high velocity industries such as industrial, logistics, warehousing, and/or manufacturing while overseeing multi-state/multi-location.
• Proven experience leading businesses through scale‑up, restructuring, or turnaround situations in a fast‑paced environment. Proven expertise driving continuous improvement initiatives is key for this role. Strong financial & operational acumen with the ability to drive strategic direction and align organization to successfully achieve goals/objectives.
• Experience with the following is a plus: operating in privately held, and/or sponsor‑backed environments, M&A, integration, or international leadership. Experience working within large, complex organizations is strongly preferred. Knowledge of the metal production industry and market is a plus.
• High emotional intelligence with a proven ability to build respect, credibility, and trust from the BOD, senior management team, staff and external constituencies.
• Deep understanding of inventory management & security, safety, compliance, environmental responsibility with EHS a significant part, and risk management. Commercially astute, metric-driven & people focused.
• Excellent problem‑solving, leadership, and decision‑making skills with a collaborative demeanor. Executive presence, decisive and confident leader with strong business judgment.
• Exceptional communication, influence, and relationship‑building skills with all levels of leadership. Resilient, adaptable, and passionate about motivating others to excel through integrity, accountability, and hands‑on leadership. Commercially minded; ability to develop long‑term strategic plans inclusive of capturing new business (sectors).