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Salary Range **$150,000.00 - $185,000.00 Salary/year**

Category **Executive**

Description

**Job Title:** General Manager of Operations

**Location:** Houston, TX

**Reports to:** Senior Leadership

**Compensation Range:** $150,000-$185,000

**Other Compensation:** Eligible for discretionary performance-based bonus

**Benefits** : Comprehensive package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, and travel opportunities

About TGU

TGU (The Ground Up, Inc.) has carved a niche for itself in the sustainable and green waste recycling sector, with a steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation. We provide products to retail and wholesale markets, as well as operating as a significant support system for the Ceres emergency response division and operate out of Houston, Texas.

Driven by Purpose, Powered by People

At TGU, we believe you're more than just an employee; you're part of a team with a purpose and a meaningful mission. Whether in management, field operations, or behind the scenes, every team member plays a vital role in supporting sustainable practices and community resilience.

We value initiative, respect diversity, and give our people the freedom to lead. We offer competitive pay, travel opportunities, and a culture built on innovation and teamwork. If you show up with dedication, share the commitment, react with urgency, and deliver solutions, you'll fit right in. We don't just respond to challenges; we rise to them.

What We Are Looking For

The General Manager of Operations will lead and oversee all operational aspects of TGU's sustainable waste recycling and product distribution activities, ensuring seamless daily functions, employee performance, and financial health. This role reports to senior leadership and fits at the top of the operations hierarchy, directly managing department managers and teams to align with company goals in environmental innovation and community support. It involves managing people, including supervising staff, identifying training needs, and fostering development. Success in the first 12 months looks like achieving measurable improvements in operational efficiency, such as optimized production processes, reduced costs, enhanced team performance through KPIs, and successful implementation of at least one major process improvement initiative that boosts profitability and sustainability metrics.

What You Will Do

• Lead and manage all aspects of daily operations, including production, workforce management, and financial oversight.

• Review P&L statements monthly with management to ensure financial health and alignment with goals.

• Develop and implement strategies to optimize operational efficiency, productivity, and profitability.

• Identify training needs, initiate employee development, and recommend effective personnel actions.

• Supervise and support department managers, ensuring alignment with company objectives and performance goals.

• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.

• Ensure compliance with industry regulations, safety standards, and company policies.

• Manage budgets, cost controls, and financial planning to maximize profitability.

• Drive a culture of accountability, innovation, and teamwork across the organization.

• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance operational effectiveness.

• Collaborate with senior leadership to develop long-term business strategies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering, or a related discipline.

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive operational and managerial experience in a similar industry.

• Proven leadership skills with the ability to manage and develop teams effectively.

• Strong financial acumen and experience in budget management and cost control.

• Strong understanding of production processes, supply chain management, and operational best practices.

• Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, and strategic planning abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or advanced degree.

• Strong knowledge of plants, trees, soil science, and horticulture.

• Previous nursery operations management experience.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

What to Expect

In this role as General Manager of Operations at TGU, expect a fast-paced, hands-on environment where you'll oversee daily operations in sustainable waste recycling and product distribution from our Houston base. You'll lead a team of department managers and staff, focusing on production efficiency, employee development, and financial oversight, with responsibilities including monthly P&L reviews, KPI monitoring, and strategy implementation to boost profitability and sustainability. The workweek is typically Monday through Friday with standard business hours, but flexibility is needed for occasional evenings or weekends during peak seasons or emergencies, plus 1-20% travel locally or nationally for site visits, supplier meetings, or industry events. The role demands strong leadership in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that values innovation and accountability, often involving problem-solving in dynamic settings like production facilities or field operations. Physical demands are moderate, including walking production areas, lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally, and working in varying weather conditions during site inspections. Success requires balancing strategic planning with tactical execution, ensuring compliance with regulations, and fostering a high-performing team—expect rewarding challenges that directly impact environmental stewardship, with opportunities for growth but also the pressure of meeting ambitious operational goals.

Physical Requirements and Environment

The Ground Up provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to applicants with sincerely held religious beliefs, as required by law. The physical requirements listed below reflect the essential functions of this role. If you need accommodation to perform these functions, please inform us during the application process.

• Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Specific vision abilities to include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus where required to safely perform the job.

• Willing to wear PPE (Personal Protective equipment) including but not limited to hard hat, protective eyewear, steel-toed boots, etc. in jobs that require PPE.

• Ability to work in adverse weather/field conditions, elevated spaces, confined spaces, extreme temperatures, exposure to mechanical parts, wet and/or humid conditions, high, precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock and vibration, and loud noise levels.

• Commitment to following safety standards and protocols.

Why join TGU?

At TGU, you won’t just have a job, you’ll have a mission. Your work will directly impact the efficiency and sustainability of our operations.

We offer:

• A collaborative, mission-driven culture.

• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

• The chance to make a lasting difference in sustainable practices and community support.

The Ground Up is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Ceres does not sponsor employment-based visas for this position unless stated otherwise.

E-Verify: We comply with Federal law by verifying employment eligibility.