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The Production Lead plays a hands-on leadership role on the production floor, supporting daily recycling operations while guiding and motivating a team of operators. This role ensures safe, efficient, and compliant processing of recyclable materials while maintaining production targets, equipment uptime, and quality standards.

The Production Lead acts as the bridge between operators and management—leading by example, troubleshooting issues in real time, and keeping operations running smoothly.

Operational Leadership

• Lead daily production activities to meet safety, quality, and throughput goals

• Assign work, monitor workflow, and adjust staffing as needed during the shift

• Serve as the first point of contact for operators regarding production issues

Safety & Compliance

• Enforce all safety policies, procedures, and PPE requirements

• Conduct safety huddles, toolbox talks, and on-the-spot coaching

• Identify and report safety hazards, near misses, and incidents

Production & Quality

• Monitor production lines, sorting accuracy, and material flow

• Ensure recyclables meet quality standards and contamination thresholds

• Track downtime, material losses, and operational bottlenecks

Team Support & Development

• Train new hires and cross-train existing employees

• Provide coaching, feedback, and performance guidance to operators

• Promote teamwork, accountability, and a positive work environment

Reporting & Communication

• Complete production reports, shift logs, and safety documentation

• Communicate shift handoffs and operational updates clearly

• Escalate issues appropriately to supervisors or management

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in a manufacturing, recycling, or industrial production environment

• Prior experience leading or training hourly employees

• Strong safety awareness and ability to enforce policies consistently

• Mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills

Preferred

• Experience in recycling, waste processing, or material recovery facilities (MRF)

• Forklift, skid steer, or heavy equipment certification

• Familiarity with conveyor systems, balers, screens, or optical sorters

Skills & Competencies

• Hands-on leadership and team coordination

• Clear communication and conflict resolution

• Ability to make quick, sound decisions in a fast-paced environment

• Strong attention to safety, quality, and efficiency

• Dependable, adaptable, and solutions-oriented

Physical & Work Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and climb for extended periods

• Work in a dusty, noisy, and industrial environment

• Willingness to work overtime, Saturdays as needed

Why Join Us?

• Stable, essential industry with long-term growth

• Opportunity to lead and grow into supervisory roles

• Team-oriented culture focused on safety and continuous improvement

• Competitive pay, benefits, and advancement opportunities

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