Operations Manager Trainee

Salary Range: $70,000 - $73,000

Relocation: The 5-month training program will take place in Romulus, MI. While we aim to place candidates into an Operations Manager role at their training location, this is not guaranteed. Final placement is based on business needs, and candidates must be willing to relocate within the market area (Michigan, Indiana, Ohio) if a position is not available at the training site upon completion.

The Operations Manager Trainee (OMT) program is a structured 5-month leadership development program designed to prepare you for a front-line Operations Manager (OM) role. During training, you will gain hands-on field experience leading employees, improving operational efficiency, supporting safety programs, and driving customer satisfaction.

Upon successful completion, trainees transition into an Operations Manager position responsible for coaching, mentoring, and managing frontline employees, overseeing daily route operations, and ensuring safety, performance, and service excellence.

If you’re looking for a clear path into leadership, not just a job, this program is designed for you.

What is the value of a WM Job? At WM we know that the value of a WM job is more than a paycheck. It's a way to create opportunities for you and your family. This is why we are constantly working to make WM a great place to work and grow a career.

We Are Always Working For A Sustainable Tomorrow®: Our mission is to leave the world a better place than we found it by helping its inhabitants find purpose in becoming its caretakers.

We Are People First: The members of the WM family are the foundation for our success. We foster an environment where all teammates feel welcomed, valued and seen.

We Are Committed to Your Growth: Your Tomorrow Education Assistance Program, paid on-the-job training, and established career progression.

We Are Stable: From the front line to the corporate offices, our team members perform essential and meaningful work.

We Are a Family: At WM we are over 60,000 people - from many places and many backgrounds, and it is our amazing differences that make us stronger.

We Are Investing in You: Amazing Medical, Dental & Vision, 401K with match, discounted stock options, dependent day care, and more!

Ready to roll with us? Click Apply to join the WM team today.

I. Job Summary

The Operations Manager Trainee (OMT) training program is intended to prepare individuals to become front-line Operations Managers. The majority of the day is spent in the field, interacting with front-line employees. Through our hands-on training program, we will teach you how to increase financial profitability, maximize operational efficiency, improve customer satisfaction, and lead teams of people. Candidates must be willing to relocate within a certain geographic area at the end of the training program.

II. Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• DEVELOPING
• Provide timely and consistent touchpoints with frontline employees
• Regular review of best practices to enhance daily performance
• Partners with Drivers and Technicians to develop job-related skills
• Completes the assigned OMT training curriculum and all other assigned training
• COACHING
• Actively practice and seek feedback on coaching conversations
• Collaborates with all frontline managers to learn the day-to-day business operations (i.e., Operations Improvement Manager, Fleet Manager, Sales Manager, District Managers, Operations Managers)
• OTHER
• Develop knowledge of DOT & OSHA safety programs and systems; operational business processes, systems & tools; performance management; dispatch & routing; fleet maintenance processes

III. Qualifications

A. Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree (accredited) or in lieu of a degree,
• High School Diploma or GED (accredited) and two (2) years of relevant work experience.
• 2 years of relevant work experience (in addition to education requirements) and
• Must be at least 18 years of age and
• Legally eligible to work in the country where the position is located
• Valid Driver's License Upon Hire and
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license and clean driving record throughout the duration of employment in this position Upon Hire

B. Preferred Qualifications

IV. Physical Requirements

Listed below are key points regarding physical demands, physical and occupational risks, and the work environment of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Combination: This job operates in a mix between an office environment and plant/field environment and routinely requires the use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, copy machines, etc.

V. Benefits
At WM, each eligible employee receives a competitive total compensation package that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short-term disability. In addition, we offer a stock purchase plan, company matching on a 401(k), and more. Employees also receive paid vacation, holidays, and personal days. Please note that benefits may vary by site.

If this sounds like the opportunity that you have been looking for, please click Apply.

ABOUT WM

WM (WM.com) is North America's leading provider of comprehensive environmental solutions. Previously known as Waste Management and based in Houston, Texas, WM is driven by commitments to put people first and achieve success with integrity. The company, through its subsidiaries, provides collection, recycling and disposal services to millions of residential, commercial, industrial, medical and municipal customers throughout the U.S. and Canada. With innovative infrastructure and capabilities in recycling, organics and renewable energy, WM provides environmental solutions to and collaborates with its customers in helping them pursue their sustainability goals. WM has the largest disposal network and collection fleet in North America, is the largest recycler of post‑consumer materials and is a leader in beneficial use of landfill gas, with a growing network of renewable natural gas plants and the most landfill gas‑to‑electricity plants in North America. WM’s fleet includes more than 12,000 natural gas trucks – the largest heavy‑duty natural gas truck fleet in the industry in North America. Healthcare Solutions provides collection and disposal services of regulated medical waste, as well as secure information destruction services, in the U.S., Canada and Western Europe. To learn more about WM and the company’s sustainability progress and solutions, visit Sustainability.WM.com.

Equal Employment Opportunity

For United States: WM is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

For Canada: WM is committed to the principle of equal employment for all applicants and employees, without discrimination on the basis of all grounds protected by applicable human rights legislation. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Please notify us if you require accommodation.

Real ID

In order to travel by air or access federal property, federal law requires individuals have a REAL ID or an acceptable alternative. This position may require the successful candidate to travel by air for business reasons or service federal property. Accordingly, successful candidates must have, or be willing to obtain, a REAL ID or TSA‑approved alternative.

WM Leaders are a critical part of our People First culture. The proud, caring and resilient members of the WM family are the foundation for our success. We commit to taking care of each other, our customers, our communities and the environment. We are Leaders in Sustainability & Environmental Solutions.

WM is more than just managing waste. We're industry leaders helping people and organizations achieve their sustainability goals, and We Are Always Working for a Sustainable Tomorrow.