Route Manager

The Route Manager oversees daily residential curbside recycling collection operations, with direct accountability for execution under the Recycle BC stewardship program. This role manages supervisors, drivers and resources to deliver safe, efficient, and fully compliant service across all contract zones. The ideal candidate will optimize multi-stream residential routing, manage municipal and contract stakeholder relationships, enforce WorkSafeBC and environmental regulations, and drive continuous improvement in safety, diversion efficiency, and cost management.

Why GFL:

• Competitive Pay: Individual pay is determined by responsibilities, experience, and location.
• Comprehensive Health Benefits: Full employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Retirement Savings: Company-matching RRSP/DPSP program to secure your financial future.
• Modern Fleet & Gear: Work out of a safe, modern facility with well-maintained trucks, new equipment, and industry-leading safe work practices.
• Nationwide Career Growth: Clear pathways for advancement across GFL’s growing national network.
• Employee Support: Full access to our confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Green for Life Perks: Exclusive employee discount programs, perks, and team recognition initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Program & Operational Management: Oversee daily curbside collection execution for multi-stream residential recycling in alignment with Recycle BC material performance, contamination, and service-level agreements.
• Team Leadership & Development: Direct, coach, and support route supervisors and curbside drivers. Lead hiring, onboarding, performance evaluations, and workforce planning to promote a strong culture of accountability and retention.
• Safety & Environmental Compliance: Enforce strict adherence to WorkSafeBC standards, Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) policies, environmental regulations, and local municipal bylaws. Conduct incident investigations, safety audits, and continuous driver safety training.
• Fleet & Resource Optimization: Monitor equipment utilization, pre/post-trip inspection completion, and route productivity. Coordinate with maintenance teams to minimize fleet downtime, lower operating costs, and optimize vehicle lifecycle performance.
• Financial & KPI Performance: Develop and manage operational budgets, direct labor, and maintenance expenses. Track key performance indicators (KPIs) including missed stops, contamination rates, route efficiency, safety incidents, and downtime.
• Contract & Client Relations: Serve as a primary point of contact for Recycle BC program representatives and municipal partners. Resolve service escalations, review audits, and ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Technology & Process Improvement: Drive adoption of route optimization software, onboard telematics, and digital reporting systems. Implement lean operational strategies to reduce carbon footprint and maximize material recovery rates.
• Reporting & Governance: Generate weekly/monthly performance metrics, compliance logs, and financial variance reports for senior leadership.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations Management, Logistics, Environmental Science, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Experience: 5+ years of progressive operations management experience in municipal waste management, logistics, or transportation. Direct experience managing curbside collection contracts (Recycle BC or similar Extended Producer Responsibility programs) strongly preferred.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of WorkSafeBC rules, motor vehicle safety regulations, and provincial waste management/EPR frameworks.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in automated route optimization tools, fleet telematics (GPS/LYTX), asset management software.
• Leadership Capabilities: Strong interpersonal, conflict-resolution, and change-management skills with a demonstrated track record of leading diverse teams.

Working Conditions:

• Work Environment: Split between an office environment and field sites, including municipal routes, transfer stations, and material recovery facilities (MRFs). ● Physical Expectations: Occasional exposure to outdoor weather conditions, noise, and site environments during audits and safety reviews.
• Schedule & On-Call: Standard business hours with required on-call availability for operational incidents, winter weather emergencies, or routing disruptions.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and a reliable vehicle for site visits and travel between locations.

GFL Environmental Inc. is one of North America’s leading waste management companies, proudly making communities cleaner, safer, and happier through first-class service. Together, our employees are known as “Team Green” — a name that unites us all under our shared purpose: making our customers and communities Green for Life! Working for GFL is more than a job — it’s an opportunity to grow in your career, make new friends, and make a difference each day.