Director of Fleet Operations Date: March, 2024 Terms: Regular full-time, exempt Reports to: Executive Vice President Location: Eureka's work site; this is an onsite position
Compensation: $80,000 - $95,000/annually
Benefits: Health insurance, long-term disability, and life insurance premiums paid 100%, dental insurance premium shared, 2% employer contribution to 403(b) retirement plan after 6 months of employment. Access to FSA/HSA health savings accounts, and various ancillary insurance plans. PTO and paid holidays.
Eureka Recycling has provided curbside and apartment recycling collections, recyclable processing, education, and advocacy since 2001. Unique for a nonprofit, Eureka Recycling has a large operational component consisting of two primary business units. Our union-represented drivers, operating a 35-vehicle fleet, collect recycling in Saint Paul and surrounding suburbs. Our material recovery facility (MRF), where recyclables are sorted and compacted for sale to end markets, process over 100,000 tons/yr of single-stream recycling.
Eureka Recycling is a nonprofit, social enterprise organization and an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer in word and action! We deeply value diversity because we understand that unique and diverse perspectives are essential to be able to achieve our mission and live our values. These organizational values are thoroughly felt and experienced in every workday at Eureka Recycling-Visionary Leadership, Strong Teams and Community, Respect, Caring and Wholeness, Sustaining and Enduring, and Honesty and Integrity.
If you are interested in working to change systems that perpetuate waste and the problems it causes for our health, economy, and communities; participating in organizational leadership in a collaborative setting; and supporting our initiative to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in our organization, Eureka Recycling may be the right place for you!
Requirements
Primary Purpose
The primary role of the Director of Fleet Operations (DOFO) is to implement the organization's strategic plan related to the execution of Eureka Recycling's collections contracts. The DOFO will provide leadership, management, motivation and development of a very diverse staff. It will be charged with managing individuals to their highest potential and creating a culture of clear expectations, transparency, and empowerment.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• 10 years of experience in fleet operations - 5 years in a leadership and supervision role
• Demonstrated experience managing the P&L and budgetary tasks for a business unit
• Demonstrated experience in applying systems thinking to address operational objectives
• Demonstrated experience with fleet maintenance and inventory tracking software
• Familiar with fleet dispatch and routing software
• Demonstrated experience with DOT compliance
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills leading a diverse team
• Experience and ability to manage, direct, and coach middle-level managers
• Able to effectively manage multiple ongoing projects simultaneously, to prioritize and balance the tasks of the day about larger project deadlines and immediate needs, giving attention to detail and striving for excellence
• Values the role of non-profit organizations in changing systems to improve our economy, environment, and community
• Commitment to Eureka Recycling's mission that waste is preventable, not inevitable

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• 10 years of experience in fleet operations
• Experience or knowledge of truck maintenance shop operations
• Experience with values-based decision-making around social, environmental, and financial benchmarks
• Experience with developing strong and effective teams and culture
• Ability to track budgets and create financial projections
• Experience with managing unionized work groups
• Knowledge of recycling collection trucks and equipment
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to create dashboards and performance-tracking systems
• Strong vision and passion for the execution of the current strategic plan with the capacity to inspire that vision and engender that passion within the organization
• Ability to view and evaluate long-range trends in the many related industries and adapt planning and strategy to reduce negative and enhance positive impacts on the mission and the organization
• Familiarity with strategies to implement continuous performance improvements

Job Responsibilities
Collaborative Leadership:

• Provide effective and inspiring leadership and stewardship of Eureka Recycling by being actively involved in appropriate ways in all programs and services
• Set operational goals and work towards achieving performance targets
• Maintain an inclusive and positive culture for the Collections and Fleet maintenance team
• Manage and oversee the work of middle management-level staff in the Collections and Fleet Maintenance departments, promoting collaboration and efficient operations processes
• With the Executive Leadership Team, create reporting and triple-bottom-line measurements for evaluation of Collections and Fleet Maintenance operations
• Provide timely, accurate, and complete reports on the operating conditions of Collections and Fleet Maintenance
• Manage departmental budget and work with staff within the department and across the organization to track and report on budgetary goals
• Develop financial reporting and projections in coordination with the Finance Department
• Maintain a high degree of confidentiality

Collections:

• Direct and oversee the evolution of the Fleet department related to contracts, collections procedures, vehicle types and equipment, routing software, and fleet maintenance and inventory software systems
• Monitor and ensure optimization of routing and create benchmarks to ensure efficient and safe operations
• Monitor staffing needs and work collaboratively with Human Resources to ensure the department is fully staffed and prepared for potential turnover of drivers in order to fulfill Eureka's contract obligations
• Develop and implement proactive Fleet Safety programs in order to prevent employee injuries and maintain zero lost time
• Direct the process of handling vehicular accidents and incidents and work with Eureka's auto insurance company to ensure the insurance process flows smoothly and to protect Eureka's best interest.
• Maintain OSHA records in regard to vehicle accidents and incidents
• Direct safety initiatives in conjunction with leadership and HR in order to comply with OSHA mandates in regard to equipment safety, inspections, PPE, and safety training for the Fleet department
• Oversee the maintenance of vehicle records and licensures and ensure compliance with all aspects of DOT law.
• Maintain Driver Qualification Files per DOT standards

Fleet Maintenance:

• Direct and oversee the work of the Fleet Maintenance department, creating processes and enforcing compliance so that time, labor, and parts are tracked efficiently and accurately using established technology systems
• Contributes to the financial health of the organization by tracking spending in the fleet maintenance department and ensuring that protocols are followed for keeping sufficient parts on the shelf and within established budgetary limits
• Establishes and enforces appropriate schedules for fleet maintenance staff so that there is an appropriate level of staffing according to the ebb and flow of traffic to the maintenance bay
• Work proactively with appropriate 3rd parties to ensure vehicles remain eligible for warranty and in good working condition in order to fulfill Eureka's contract obligations within budgetary constraints
• Direct and oversee the use of fleet back-office technology to respond to drivers' notifications of maintenance problems and to document the completion of repairs, per DOT policy
• Make decisions about when vehicles need replacing and oversee the purchases of new vehicles and sales of retiring vehicles in conjunction with Eureka's leadership team
• Direct and oversee the record keeping of the fleet, ensuring that all vehicles are registered and licensed and inspections are completed in a timely manner per DOT policy

Affirmative Action Policy Statement:
Eureka Recycling is committed to providing equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
Salary Description

$80,000 - $95,000/annually