Senior Manager – Material Characterization CA

Role Overview

The California Material Characterization Senior Manager is responsible for leading CAA’s California material characterization efforts, including implementation of the 2027 California statewide characterization study in support of the state’s extended producer responsibility requirements for paper and packaging (SB 54). This position reports to the California Director of Recycling Operations and ensures methodological consistency, quality assurance, facility participation, audit center development, procurement coordination, and reliable reporting across characterization activities used to inform program implementation, reporting compliance, and operational decision-making.

The Senior Manager oversees California-focused sampling operations, auditing and reporting governance based on CAA National standards and protocols, develops and manages a team comprised of both internal staff and vendor contractors, and helps ensure alignment with applicable California regulatory and program requirements. This role directly supports and informs planning and operations by producing reliable, actionable data on material composition, recycling system performance, and program outcomes.

The position requires expertise in solid waste management, recycling systems, field execution frameworks and workflows, statistical analysis, QA/QC standards, vendor management and proposal awards, along with the ability to lead cross-functional work, collaborate with operational and data teams, and manage complex datasets. The California Material Characterization Senior Manager ensures that characterization efforts are accurate, actionable, and responsive to California policy, program, and operational needs.

Key Responsibilities

Methodology & Protocol Leadership

• Oversee the operationalization of California-specific protocols for material composition audits, inbound and outbound sampling at facilities and central audit centers, audit design, and consistent definitions of material categories as defined by California regulation and CAA National standards.
• Ensure data collection, storage, and reporting methodologies meet quality assurance and quality control standards and maintain integrity across all sampling locations.
• Align methodologies with California regulatory requirements and program needs to support consistent, defensible characterization data.

Data & Quality Assurance Oversight

• Collaborate with CAA National departments and provide direction to California material characterization operations teams who will supervise data recording, storage, and vendor management to maintain accurate and secure databases.
• Propose QA/QC processes to validate the accuracy, reliability, and completeness of all characterization data for implementation by the operational team.
• Monitor and report on methodological adherence and performance against CAA National program priorities and standards.

Strategic Program Leadership

• Oversee California characterization priorities, balancing resource allocation, regulatory compliance, and operational needs.
• Work closely with operational, data, and program planning teams to integrate characterization results into modeling, reporting, and policy frameworks.
• Identify emerging data needs, gaps, and opportunities to improve solid waste and recycling measurement practices.
• Lead the development of state-wide material sampling locations, operational structures, facility participation strategies, and vendor contract management, including securing and maintaining facility participation across dozens of facilities and managing the procurement, evaluation, and award of RFPs for contracted services involving multiple bidders.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary point of contact for California material characterizations, coordinating with internal teams, external researchers, auditors, regulators, facility operators, CalRecycle, and other jurisdictions to align study activity with CAA standards, support the appropriate use of shared data, and maintain productive stakeholder relationships.
• Provide guidance and training to California program staff, service providers, and partners on characterization methods, QA/QC procedures, and data management practices.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure data informs decision-making and program evaluation.

Additional Responsibilities

• Lead the development and build-out of California’s material characterizations management function, including defining scope, priorities, organizational structure, and operating model aligned with SB 54 program and CAA National requirements.
• Develop and implement operational processes, execution playbooks, audit center development plans, and field workflows to support material characterizations, statewide characterization study implementation, system performance tracking, and material management activities across California.
• Establish and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), documentation frameworks, and reporting structures to support consistent, scalable execution across California.
• Lead the development and build‑out of the California material characterization team, including identifying staffing needs, recruiting, onboarding, and managing internal team members, consultants, and contractors, while establishing clear roles, workflows, and performance expectations. Build and manage a network of external partners, including auditors, sampling contractors, technical consultants, and facility operators, to support program implementation.
• Lead research and innovation initiatives to improve characterization methods and data utilization.
• Facilitate benchmarking and comparison of characterization results across California program activities in collaboration with the Data & Analytics team.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support California solid waste and recycling characterization efforts.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong expertise in solid waste management, recycling systems, and material characterization.
• Proven experience in operational process design and implementation, including QA/QC and data management within complex regulatory or operational environments.
• Robust analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex datasets for operational and policy use.
• Excellent organizational, leadership, and project management abilities.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills for collaboration with internal teams, government agencies, and external partners.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment supporting California program implementation.
• Ability to thrive in ambiguity, set priorities, and implement executable plans to achieve program objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Waste Management, or related field preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in material characterization, recycling, or related environmental data management fields.
• Proven track record of leading methodological development, QA/QC, and multi-site data initiatives.
• Experience aligning regulatory guidance, compliance requirements, or related environmental program standards preferred.
• Strong leadership experience in cross-functional programs involving operations, data, regulatory, and external stakeholder coordination.
• Experience negotiating contract terms, pricing, and conditions with vendors, customers, or partners.
• Experience managing relationships with suppliers, contractors, and service providers.
• Familiarity with contract dispute resolution, mediation, and enforcement.
• Understanding of pricing models, cost structures, and payment terms in contracts.

Compensation & Other Information

• Location: Fully Remote - in the state of California
• Pay Rate: Based on a variety of factors in accordance with applicable law including the successful candidate’s relevant experience, skills, knowledge and experience.
• Reports To: California Director of Recycling Operations

Circular Action Alliance is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you require accommodation as part of the application process, please contact [email protected] listed below.