Landfill Operations Manager

Landfill Operations Manager

Location: Loess Hills Sanitary Landfill, Malvern, Iowa

Compensation: $90,000 - $100,000 (DOE) + 15% Cash Bonus and 15% RSUs

Travel: Up to 25%

Reports To: District Manager / Division Vice President

FLSA Status: Exempt

Who We Are

At Waste Connections , we're more than just one of North America's leading waste services companies. We're a team of problem-solvers, operators, engineers, and leaders committed to safety, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence.

Our employees empowered us to become a different kind of company. One where self-directed, entrepreneurial professionals are trusted to make decisions, solve problems, and drive results.

We are looking for a high-impact Landfill Operations Manager to lead and optimize operations at our subtitle D landfill. This is a critical leadership role responsible for landfill performance, safety, compliance, and team development. This opportunity is ideal for a proven leader who thrives in industrial environments and is passionate about operational excellence.

Why Join Us?

• Culture: A workplace where empowered, self-directed professionals know their work matters.
• Integrity: We do what we say and keep our promises to our employees, customers, and communities.
• Growth: We invest in developing future leaders and provide opportunities to advance within Engineering and Operations.
• Impact: Lead projects that directly influence landfill performance, environmental compliance, and long-term operational success.

Position Summary

Waste Connections has an immediate opening for a Landfill Operations Manager to lead daily landfill operations while ensuring the highest standards of safety, environmental compliance, operational efficiency, and employee engagement.

The Landfill Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing landfill operations, heavy equipment activities, site development, regulatory compliance, customer interactions, budgeting, and employee development. This role partners closely with district leadership to ensure the landfill operates safely, efficiently, and in compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, builds strong teams, develops future leaders, and drives continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Safety Leadership

• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture throughout all landfill operations.
• Conduct regular safety meetings, site inspections, and compliance audits.
• Ensure adherence to company safety policies and OSHA requirements.
• Lead incident investigations and implement corrective actions.
• Hold employees accountable for safe work practices while fostering employee engagement.

Landfill Operations

• Oversee day-to-day landfill activities including waste placement, compaction, cover application, and site drainage management.
• Direct landfill airspace management and operational planning.
• Coordinate equipment utilization, scheduling, and maintenance activities.
• Monitor and manage traffic flow, customer service, and disposal operations.
• Ensure proper management of working face operations and landfill cell development.
• Partner with engineering and environmental teams on site expansion and construction projects.

Environmental Compliance

• Ensure compliance with EPA, state, local, and company environmental regulations.
• Manage landfill gas, stormwater, leachate, and groundwater monitoring programs.
• Maintain permits, operational records, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Prepare for and coordinate regulatory inspections and audits.
• Work closely with environmental consultants and regulatory agencies.

Leadership & Employee Development

• Lead, coach, and develop supervisors, operators, laborers, and support personnel.
• Drive employee engagement, retention, and succession planning efforts.
• Conduct performance reviews and provide regular coaching and feedback.
• Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Support recruiting, onboarding, and training initiatives.

Financial & Operational Performance

• Monitor landfill productivity, costs, equipment utilization, and operational metrics.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce operating expenses.
• Participate in forecasting, planning, and business reviews.
• Support district and region initiatives focused on operational excellence.

Customer & Community Relations

• Maintain positive relationships with customers, contractors, vendors, and regulatory agencies.
• Address customer concerns and operational service issues promptly.
• Represent the company in community and regulatory meetings as needed.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 3 years of landfill, construction, earthmoving, heavy equipment, or solid waste operations leadership experience.
• Previous supervisory or management experience required.
• Strong knowledge of EPA, OSHA, and state environmental regulations.
• Experience managing heavy equipment operations and site development activities.
• Proven ability to lead teams, drive accountability, and develop employees.
• Strong problem-solving, planning, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Ability to analyze operational and make informed business decisions.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Landfill Manager Certification.
• Experience managing Subtitle D landfill operations.
• Experience leading regulatory inspections and environmental compliance programs.
• Experience supporting landfill construction and permit expansion projects.

To be considered for any of our current openings, you must complete an application at Waste Connections Careers.

We Keep Our Promises!

At Waste Connections , we believe in empowering our employees. Our culture is built on respect, reliability, and integrity. When we say we'll do something, we follow through.

We offer excellent benefits including medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, 401(k) retirement with company match, paid time off, and unlimited opportunities to Connect with Your Future.

Waste Connections is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability or protected veteran status.