Operations Management Trainee

GFL Environmental • Muskego, WI

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Operations Manager Trainee will work with all members of the branch, and management team to develop the technical and leadership skills necessary to assist with needed operational activities and to ensure the support of the branch’s goals and objectives. This is a fast-track, 9-to-12-month rotational leadership initiative designed to turn raw talent, work ethic, and leadership acumen into a critical management role at our hauling location. We hire for aptitude, grit, and an eagerness to learn. We will teach you the business from the ground up. In return, we expect you to bring a fierce work ethic, sharp critical thinking, and the ability to connect with people from the dispatch office to the driver’s seat. Upon successful completion of this 9-to-12-month program, you will graduate directly into a frontline leadership position (e.g., Operations Supervisor or Operations Manager). You must be willing to relocate within our Midwest territory (Wisconsin, Illinois, or the Upper Peninsula of Michigan) based on where we have operational openings.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred (any major—Business, Logistics, Communication, Humanities, etc.), OR equivalent life/military experience that proves you know how to work hard and lead others.
• Must be willing and able to relocate within the Midwest (Wisconsin, Illinois, or the Upper Peninsula of Michigan) based on where we have operational openings.
• Valid work authorization in the country where the job is located is required.
• Successful candidates will be required to provide valid documentation confirming their eligibility to work in the country where the job is located prior to their start date.

Nice To Haves

• Prior waste industry experience is not required.

Responsibilities

• Ride along with drivers, shadow mechanics, and work alongside dispatchers to learn the daily grit of route management, safety protocols, and fleet maintenance.
• Dive into data, routing software, and customer service to learn how to optimize routes, manage labor costs, and handle customer escalations.
• Step into a 'co-pilot' role, supervising small teams, running daily safety briefings, and owning specific operational KPIs under the mentorship of the General Manager.
• Graduate into a permanent leadership role with accountability for a team, a budget, and a book of business.
• Absorb compliance regulations (DOT, OSHA), safety standards, and corporate financial metrics.
• Build genuine relationships with driving and maintenance teams by demonstrating humility, curiosity, and a willingness to get your hands dirty.
• Analyze daily route data to identify inefficiencies, reduce missed pickups, and improve safety scores.
• Lead by example, stepping up to handle unexpected operational hurdles (weather delays, truck breakdowns, staffing shortages) with a calm, decisive attitude.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level