Operations Manager Non Ferrous Recycling

Operations Manager

We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to oversee day-to-day warehouse and yard operations and lead a team of approximately 47 hourly employees. This is a hands-on leadership role focused on creating consistency, accountability, safety, and productivity across the operation.

The ideal candidate is someone who leads from the floor, understands material-handling equipment, and can establish a stable, productive work environment. This person will have significant autonomy in developing processes, managing the team, maintaining equipment, and driving operational improvements.

Responsibilities

• Manage, train, and develop a team of 47 hourly employees.
• Establish consistency, accountability, and productivity throughout daily operations.
• Spend the majority of the workday in the warehouse overseeing operations.
• Oversee receiving, shipments, material preparation, and staging for sale.
• Ensure material is handled, processed, and prepared according to customer and mill specifications.
• Operate and oversee the proper use of forklifts, skid steers, material handlers, balers, and yard trucks.
• Train employees on proper equipment operation and identify potential equipment issues before they become major problems.
• Take ownership of fleet maintenance strategy and coordinate repairs and preventative maintenance as needed.
• Perform basic mechanical troubleshooting and repairs when appropriate, including tasks such as removing and replacing hydraulic lines, to minimize unnecessary downtime.
• Maintain full responsibility for OSHA compliance and workplace safety, including establishing and enforcing safety procedures and training.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflow, productivity, organization, and overall operational performance.
• Create and maintain a professional, stable, and productive warehouse environment.

Qualifications

• Previous experience managing employees in a warehouse, recycling, scrap, manufacturing, industrial, or material-handling environment.
• Strong hands-on experience with forklifts, skid steers, material handlers, balers, and yard trucks.
• Ability to recognize proper equipment operation and identify potential mechanical or operational issues.
• Basic mechanical aptitude with the ability to perform simple repairs and troubleshooting.
• Experience with OSHA requirements and workplace safety programs.
• Strong leadership and team-management skills with the ability to establish accountability and consistency.
• Comfortable working hands-on in a warehouse/yard environment rather than managing exclusively from an office.
• Ability to learn new material specifications, terminology, and processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Non-ferrous metal recycling experience strongly preferred.
• Experience working with mill specifications, material grades, and industry terminology.
• Experience in a scrap or recycling environment.
• Candidates coming from retail scrap yards are welcome; however, familiarity with the differences between retail-yard operations and downstream processing/mill specifications is a plus.
• Open-minded approach and willingness to learn new processes and terminology.