Waste & Recycling Implementation Lead

This position is known internally as an Implementation Project Lead and plays a key role in launching new national clients, from setting up services and outlet partners through handoff to our Client Services team.

_______________

About Northstar Recycling

Northstar Recycling is an independent waste and recycling management company for manufacturers and distributors. We replace a patchwork of vendors with one managed program that cuts costs, increases landfill diversion, and delivers audit-ready data. We manage 3,000+ client sites through a national network of 5,000+ service providers, and 225+ client locations have reached Zero Waste to Landfill. Learn more.

About The Role

As a Waste & Recycling Implementation Lead (internally known as an Implementation Project Lead), you'll move new national clients onto Northstar's services. You'll set up contracted services at a group of client sites, then find diversion, cost-savings, and efficiency projects at each one. You'll be the main contact for your sites and report to the Implementation Director of Project Management. Between implementations, you'll manage and grow a set of existing accounts.

What You'll Do

Plan and Launch Implementations

• Outline the timing and resources needed to meet service go-live dates, track personal and team progress toward them.
• Determine the proper structure for setting up new clients and outlets in Northstar’s system, including any ongoing reporting.
• Create and present expectations and updates, internally and externally, before, during, and after the implementation period.
• Share insights on site contacts when transitioning sites to the Client Services team.

Analyze and Improve Waste Programs

• Baseline data supplied by new clients and analyze opportunities to maximize client savings and Northstar gross profit.
• Analyze historical data to offer recommendations on waste program improvements.
• Identify and implement creative solutions for waste and recycling programs, including cost-savings and diversion opportunities.
• Conduct on-site and phone waste audits with manufacturing sites.

Set Up and Price Services

• Establish pricing for new services and assist with outlet negotiations.
• Propose and execute materials, trainings, and equipment for new and existing services.
• Establish sorting procedures and collection processes for new services.

Manage Client Relationships and Results

• Build professional relationships with site contacts based on trust and respect and provide excellent customer service.
• Serve as the point of escalation for urgent service and billing issues, from trial loads through the implementation period.
• Achieve established profitability targets, maximize retention rates, and grow Northstar’s business footprint.
• Manage your own workload and identify your own projects to hit Northstar performance objectives.
• Build well-rounded knowledge of how Northstar works across departments to meet client and company objectives.

Experience

• Internal Candidates: At least 12 months as a Client Development Executive or Senior Client Development Executive, in good performance and behavioral standing.
• External Candidates: Bachelor’s degree and 2+ years of project management experience or similar experience in the waste, recycling, environmental services, or sustainability industry (examples include: Hauler or Broker operations, Account Management, of EHS and Sustainability roles at manufacturing sites).
• Highly skilled in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, with experience creating presentations, using Excel formulas and pivot tables, and writing proposals and work plans.
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time during implementations

Skills

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple simultaneous projects with various internal and external teams.
• Excellent time management, strong interpersonal skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to interact with people at all levels of an organization.
• Able to propose and implement new approaches, methods, or technologies.

How You Work

• Resourceful, adaptable, and always aiming to fulfill clients’ needs beyond their expectations.
• Accountable in all ways: a problem-solver, not a problem-bringer.
• Professional in demeanor, articulate in delivery, and engage in your work and meetings.
• You get it done, with wholehearted purpose and excitement in why we’re here.

Details

• Location: Remote or Hybrid from our East Longmeadow, MA office
• Travel: Required to travel throughout North America up to 50% during implementations – A valid driver's license and clean driving record are a condition of employment.
• Employment Type: Full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible
• Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm Eastern Time. This position is open to candidates residing within the Eastern, Central, or Mountain Time Zones to support operational coverage and business needs

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer within the United States. Northstar Recycling is unable to sponsor or assume sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

DEIB Statement & Commitment

At Northstar Recycling, our company’s intention behind Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) is to create a more inclusive and equitable culture, business practices and methods of operation. As an organization, we are continuing the work that allows for unlearning, accountability, and acceptance. We are incorporating DEIB thinking in all our interactions including hiring, promotion, and retention efforts.

To hold ourselves accountable, Northstar utilizes a DEIB scorecard to measure the following performance metrics: Employee Education and Participation; Leadership Support and Investment; Data Practices; and Retention, Hiring and Promotion. Each metric is evaluated on a quarterly basis and Northstar’s progress is reviewed annually with our leadership team to drive accountability organizationally.

Northstar takes many actions to promote DEIB practices, especially as they relate to recruitment, retention, and promotion. We support our employees through educational resources and training, professional development opportunities, and formal Mentorship programs. We also offer several Affinity Groups and our DEIB Employee Resource Group (ERG).

Employee Benefits

Northstar offers a comprehensive benefits package, and provides a generous employee contribution to our health, dental, and vision insurance premiums. We offer a 401(k)-retirement plan and match 100% of your first 4% of pay contribution to the plan; this matching contribution is 100% immediately vested. We also provide company sponsored short-term, long-term, and life coverage, as well as a multitude of supplemental and voluntary benefit programs.

Northstar promotes a healthy work-life balance. In that spirit, we offer a competitive PTO package that includes vacation time, sick time, 7 observed federal holidays, 3 floating holidays, and additional time off each year for volunteer efforts.

Northstar is a remote-first organization! We offer a fully remote working environment with virtual culture and teambuilding events to create and maintain a sense of belonging, connection, and inclusivity between our team members. We also take great pride in our coaching culture! Northstar fosters professional development for employees within their roles and works to create opportunities for promotion to cultivate meaningful growth for Northstar employees.

EEOC Statement

Northstar Recycling adheres to all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person's race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age (40 or older), handicap or disability, genetic information, or military status. It is also illegal to discriminate against a person because the person complained about discrimination, filed a charge of discrimination, or participated in an employment discrimination investigation or lawsuit.

Northstar Recycling is committed to fully complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which ensures equal opportunity for qualified persons with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation is available to all disabled employees, where their disability affects the performance of job functions. All employment decisions are based on the merits of the situation in accordance with defined criteria, and not on the disability of the individual. The Company will follow any state or local law that provides individuals with disabilities greater protection than the federal ADA law.