VLS Environmental Solutions, LLC, is a recognized leader in providing sustainability solutions, with three divisions providing industry-leading services. With a mission to innovate solutions to meet clients' sustainability goals, VLS has over 1,200 employees in 40+ locations across North America.
Waste Services
VLS Waste Services provides customized waste processing solutions for hazardous and non-hazardous industrial and commercial waste, including landfill diversion and sustainability programs, solidification of liquid waste, recycling, wastewater treatment, and waste sequestration.
Railcar Services
VLS Railcar Cleaning and Repair Services division provides specialty cleaning services for difficult-to-clean products, including chemicals, hardened materials, and pressurized gases, and comprehensive repair services for certified full-service repairs, tank car qualifications, and maintenance.
Marine Services
VLS Marine Services division offers state-of-the-art barge cleaning, repair, and gas-free facilities for various chemical solvents and downstream petroleum products.
Operations Supervisor
The Operations Supervisor is responsible for overseeing the safe, efficient, and compliant daily operations of both the shredding and solidification processes used to receive, process, stabilize, and prepare non-hazardous waste materials for final disposition. This position provides direct supervision of production personnel and coordinates all operational activities, including material receipt, waste characterization, shredding, blending, solidification, quality control, staging, container management, equipment utilization, and outbound shipments.
As a key member of a startup facility, this position will play a critical role in establishing operational processes, building a high-performing team, implementing standard operating procedures, commissioning new equipment, and developing a strong culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement. The Operations Supervisor must be adaptable, solutions-oriented, and capable of leading through change while supporting the successful startup, stabilization, and long-term growth of the facility.
Essential Job Duties
- Supervise the daily operations of the shredding and solidification processes, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant production.
- Lead and promote a strong safety culture by ensuring compliance with all company policies and applicable OSHA, EPA, RCRA, DOT, and environmental regulations.
- Ensure adherence to approved waste profiles, mix matrix protocols, operating procedures, and quality standards throughout all processing activities.
- Plan, prioritize, and execute daily production schedules based on workload, customer demand, and operational priorities.
- Supervise, coach, train, and evaluate operators and technicians while fostering accountability, teamwork, and continuous professional development.
- Optimize labor, equipment, and facility resources to maximize productivity, minimize downtime, and achieve operational goals.
- Oversee the receipt, inspection, staging, shredding, blending, treatment, solidification, drum building, and outbound shipment of waste materials.
- Inspect inbound and outbound loads to verify waste compatibility, regulatory compliance, and adherence to processing requirements.
- Coordinate and manage waste blending activities to produce compliant landfill and Waste-to-Energy (WTE) materials that meet customer specifications, disposal facility acceptance criteria, regulatory requirements, and operational quality standards.
- Monitor equipment performance and coordinate preventive maintenance and repairs with the Maintenance Department to maximize equipment reliability and uptime.
- Ensure accurate completion and maintenance of production records, waste tracking documentation, inventory records, material usage logs, and regulatory compliance reports.
- Conduct routine inspections of work areas to maintain housekeeping, operational efficiency, environmental compliance, and workplace safety.
- Collaborate with Laboratory, Maintenance, Transportation, Customer Service, Environmental, and Compliance teams to optimize processing methods and ensure exceptional customer service.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, productivity, throughput, and cost control.
- Investigate operational issues, implement corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement initiatives throughout the facility.
- Maintain effective communication with facility leadership regarding production performance, staffing, equipment status, operational challenges, and improvement opportunities.
- Promote and model the Company's Core Values while ensuring employees conduct aligns with organizational expectations and performance standards.
REQUIREMENTS
- High school diploma or GED required, associate degree or technical training in environmental science, chemistry, or industrial operations preferred.
- 3–5 years of experience in waste management, environmental services, or a related industrial setting.
- Previous experience supporting the startup, expansion, commissioning, or significant operational transition of an industrial, manufacturing, or waste processing facility preferred.
- Minimum of 2 years of supervisory or team leadership experience in a production or industrial setting.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and operational best practices.
- Proven ability to establish production workflows, performance expectations, and accountability systems from the ground up.
- Strong understanding of solidification/stabilization methods and waste classification.
- Knowledge of liquid/solid materials handling, safety compliance, and applicable environmental regulations.
- Experience coordinating production schedules, labor allocation, and workflow to meet operational objectives.
- Excellent leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
- Ability to adapt to a dynamic work environment where processes, staffing, and operational procedures continue to evolve as the facility grows.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office software.
Compensation & Benefits
At VLS our employees are the core of our business. As such, we value our employees' physical, mental, and financial wellbeing by providing first class, high value benefits and resources that are centered around a proper work-life balance.
Physical and Mental Wellbeing: VLS is committed to supporting our employees' physical and mental health by providing:
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance - Based on each employee's need, we offer various high quality, low-premium medical, dental and vision plans, which include our first-in-class concierge service (available in Spanish) and 2nd MD Offering.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Healthcare Saving Accounts (HSA) -- Set aside pre-tax money to use toward your health care spending. VLS provides an employer contribution to all HSA accounts.
Time Off - We offer 11 (eleven) company-paid holidays, in addition to our paid time off and voluntary time off plans.
Employee Assistance Program -- 24/7 assistance and counseling services that are 100% confidential and free to all employees and their dependents.
Telemedicine -- All employees and dependents receive free virtual visits by licensed practitioners any time, any day...including holidays!
Financial and Retirement Planning: At VLS we offer the following to assist our employees with planning around their finances and saving for retirement:
401(k) - Generous 401(k) matching program after 90 days of employment. VLS will match up to 5% of your pay every pay period. Matching contributions are 100% vested immediately.
Life and Disability Insurance -- Employer-paid life insurance, along with short-term and long-term disability coverage provided to all full-time employees.
Voluntary Life Protection Plans -- Employees and their dependents can elect coverage in our voluntary life/add, critical illness, hospital indemnity and accident plans.
Rewards and Recognition Programs -- We celebrate our employees! From birthdays to anniversaries and other various milestones/achievements, we have programs in place to recognize our employees.
Financial Planning - Free One on One financial planning with a certified Financial Planner/Coach.
Employee Discount - Employee Discount Program for savings on everyday goods and services at various retailers throughout the US.
Skills Required
- High school diploma or GED
- 3-5 years of experience in waste management, environmental services, or a related industrial setting
- At least 2 years of supervisory or team leadership experience in a production or industrial setting
- Ability to develop and implement standard operating procedures, work instructions, and operational best practices
- Ability to establish production workflows, performance expectations, and accountability systems
- Understanding of solidification/stabilization methods and waste classification
- Knowledge of liquid and solid materials handling, safety compliance, and environmental regulations
- Experience coordinating production schedules, labor allocation, and workflow
- Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills
- Ability to adapt to a dynamic and evolving work environment
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office software
- Associate degree or technical training in environmental science, chemistry, or industrial operations
- Experience supporting facility startup, expansion, commissioning, or significant operational transition
What We Do
VLS Environmental Solutions, LLC is a leading provider of sustainable waste management and environmental solutions. The company specializes in waste-to-energy initiatives, processing non-hazardous waste into heat and fuel, as well as hazardous waste management, marine services, and railcar cleaning. They are dedicated to helping clients achieve zero-waste goals and sustainability through an integrated approach to industrial processes and environmental compliance.
