General Manager, USA Operations & Business Services

The Company

Our client is a progressive global plastic recycling business with three distinct divisions: (1) Plastic Recycling; (2) Recycled Supply Chain Management; and (3) Recycled & Waste Plastic Feedstock. Their expert global team combine impressive technical knowledge and capability with a passion for recycling and the circular economy. Our client is passionate about transforming waste into a valuable commodity, buying, selling and recycling scrap plastic.

Since our client started on their journey in 2005, they have developed a worldwide presence, serving hundreds of customers in over 50 countries. They have grown a strong, talented team who are highly trained, dedicated and loyal. They are headquartered in Hong Kong with operations and representation in Australia, Finland, Ireland, Turkey, Spain, Netherlands & UK. They operate a factory based in the UK specialising in the collection and recycling of plastic waste generated from industry and manufacturing.

Job Summary

The mission of this role is to establish and scale our client in USA into a high-performing, controlled and profitable business platform capable of supporting long-term growth.

This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for building the operational and financial foundations of the US business. The successful candidate will guide the set up of the business and its operations, establish finance controls, support banking and payment controls, and ensure operational execution does not become a barrier to growth.

You will oversee contract-to-cash execution, logistics oversight, documentation standards, customer service processes, performance reporting, risk controls and team development. You will build the structure needed for the US business to scale through its first stage of growth.

Working closely with commercial and global business leaders, you will ensure our client in USA has the standards, controls and responsiveness required to serve customers, support suppliers and convert trading opportunities into profitable cash outcomes.

This is not a purely strategic role. It requires someone willing to get into the detail, solve problems quickly, hold standards and create the practical operating rhythm needed for a new business to grow.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Business Establishment & Leadership:
  • Lead the set up and development of the US operating platform.
  • Establish scalable operational, finance and reporting processes.
  • Develop the organisational structure and hiring plan for the US operation.
  • Build and develop future operational, logistics and finance team members.
  • Identify growth constraints and implement practical solutions.
  • Drive accountability, ownership and performance standards across the business.
• Operational Management:
  • Oversee contract execution from trade confirmation through to cash collection.
  • Ensure operational excellence across logistics, documentation and customer service.
  • Develop procedures to support growth while managing risk.
  • Ensure customer and supplier requirements are handled with speed and accuracy.
  • Drive continuous improvement across the full execution process.
  • Ensure clear communication between commercial, operations, finance and logistics teams.
• Financial Control & Governance:
  • Support the establishment of banking relationships and payment control processes.
  • Oversee customer credit, deposit, balance payment and cargo release disciplines.
  • Support financial reporting, budgeting and performance management activities.
  • Ensure strong commercial controls are maintained during periods of rapid growth.
  • Work closely with finance teams to protect working capital, manage risk and improve cash conversion.
• Global Coordination:
  • Work closely with colleagues across the US, UK, Europe, Türkiye, Asia, Australia and LATAM.
  • Support global trading opportunities by ensuring US operations can execute reliably.
  • Maintain consistent operating standards across regions.
  • Challenge constructively when payment, risk, customer service or operating standards need to be protected.
  • Build strong working relationships while remaining firm on the standards required to protect the business.
• Team Development:
  • Recruit, lead and develop a high-performing operational team.
  • Create a culture of ownership, accountability, customer focus and continuous improvement.
  • Coach team members to understand the full trade execution process.
  • Develop future leaders capable of supporting long-term growth.
  • Ad hoc duties as and when required and not limited within the role.
• Knowledge (Education & Related Experience):
  • Minimum of 10 years’ experience in operational leadership, business management, trading operations, logistics, supply chain or related fields.
  • Experience within commodity trading, chemicals, polymers, recycling, logistics, freight forwarding, supply chain or related industries.
  • Strong understanding of contract-to-cash processes.
  • Experience working across multiple countries, offices and time zones.
  • Experience leading and developing teams.
  • Experience implementing operational controls and business processes.
  • Experience in a multinational business or globally distributed operating model.
  • Experience using ERP, CRM, reporting or business management systems an advantage.
• Skills & Abilities:
  • Strong financial and commercial acumen.
  • Able to establish practical controls without slowing the business down unnecessarily.
  • Able to build credibility quickly with commercial, finance, logistics and operational teams.
  • Able to challenge senior colleagues constructively when business standards need to be upheld.
  • Able to manage and respond quickly to changing or competing priorities.
  • Highly organised, detail-minded and able to work independently.
  • Able to present and clearly communicate information in speaking and writing.
  • Able to ensure tasks are completed on time and to a high standard.
  • Able to use the full suite of O365 products, especially Outlook, Excel, Word and Teams.
• Competencies:
  • Non-Negotiables: Being Resilient, Collaborative, Customer Focused, Inquisitive, Reflective, Resourcefulness, Taking Initiative.
  • Professional and ethical in their approach.
  • Understands that upfront effort prevents issues down the line.
  • Committed to on-going personal and professional development.
  • Values team above self.
  • Takes ownership of outcomes and follows through.