Area Operations Manager

Job Details: Job Location: Wayne County - MI, Salary Range: Undisclosed, Company Summary

Priority Waste, headquartered in Clinton Township, MI, is a growth-oriented waste management company serving municipal solid waste and construction & demolition customers in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Founded in 2018, Priority Waste has expanded rapidly through organic growth and strategic acquisitions, operating out of multiple facilities across three states. Backed by TPG (Nasdaq: TPG), a leading global private equity firm with approximately $246 billion in assets under management, Priority Waste is committed to delivering outstanding customer service. We are building a best-in-class finance organization to support our continued growth.

Job Purpose

The Area Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing and supporting Priority Waste locations within our Wayne County territory. This position provides operational leadership to ensure consistent performance across locations, with a focus on safety, productivity, customer service, employee development, compliance, and cost control. The Area Operations Manager works closely with local site leadership to drive results, resolve operational challenges, and ensure Priority Waste standards are consistently met.

Duties and Responsibilities
Duties include but are not limited to:

Oversee and direct operations across multiple Priority Waste locations.
Lead, coach, and hold Operations Managers and site leadership accountable for performance.
Drive consistent processes, productivity, service quality, and operational standards across all assigned locations.
Monitor labor, time and attendance, overtime, staffing, and overall operating costs.
Partner with Maintenance to ensure fleet availability, repairs, and preventative maintenance are addressed.
Partner with HR on recruiting, hiring, retention, employee relations, and workforce planning.
Work closely with Safety to ensure safe work practices and DOT compliance.
Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations and permit requirements.
Monitor customer service and resolve escalated operational or customer issues.
Review operational and financial performance, including P&L, KPIs, productivity, and cost control.
Identify opportunities for process improvement and implement best practices across locations.
Support new business start-ups, integrations, and other operational initiatives as needed.

Qualifications: The successful candidate profile includes:

5+ years of progressive operations management experience; waste, transportation, or logistics experience preferred.
Multi-site or regional operations leadership experience preferred.
Proven ability to lead and develop Operations Managers and frontline teams.
Experience with P&L, budgeting, labor management, and operational KPIs.
Strong knowledge of safety, DOT, and regulatory compliance.
Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Ability to manage multiple locations, priorities, and teams effectively.
Willingness to travel between assigned locations.
Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record required.

At Priority Waste, there are fundamental qualities that we look for in all our employees:

People who excel in a collaborative environment (team players)
A willingness to do whatever the situation calls for
An excitement to be part of a growing organization
A genuine understanding that the quality of your work has a direct impact on the company's success