What are the responsibilities and job description for the Route Manager position at Gold Medal Environmental - Apple Valley Waste Inc?
Lead From the Front. Drive Results. Build Something That’s Growing Fast.
Patriot Disposal is one of the fastest-growing waste and recycling companies in the Mid-Atlantic. As we are expanding rapidly, we’re building a high-performance team to support our continued growth across residential, commercial, and roll-off services.
We’re looking for a Route Manager who leads from the front, and knows how to get the best out of a team.
If you’re someone who takes ownership, moves fast, and wants to grow your career with a company that’s scaling — this is your opportunity.
Job Description
The Route Manager is a frontline operations leader responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant execution of daily collection operations. This role leads and develops drivers and helpers, ensures consistent service delivery, and drives performance across safety, productivity, and customer satisfaction.
As a hands-on field leader, the Route Manager maintains a strong presence in daily operations—monitoring route execution, resolving issues in real time, and holding teams accountable to company standards. This role partners closely with dispatch, maintenance, customer service, and site leadership to ensure reliable, high-quality service and continuous operational improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Operations Execution
- Plan, assign, and oversee daily route schedules based on service needs, staffing, and equipment availability
- Ensure all routes are completed safely, on time, and in accordance with company standards
- Adjust routes and reallocate resources throughout the day to address call-outs, delays, breakdowns, and service issues
- Review and validate route activity, including driver logs, trip records, and operational documentation
- Ensure timely recovery of missed pickups and service failures
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, coach, and hold drivers and helpers accountable for safety, performance, attendance, and conduct
- Foster a positive, safety-first, and performance-driven team culture
- Support recruiting, onboarding, and training of frontline employees
- Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and performance management, including disciplinary actions when necessary
- Serve as a visible and approachable leader in the yard and field
Safety Leadership
- Promote and enforce a safety-first culture across all operations
- Conduct route observations, ride-alongs, and yard audits to ensure compliance with safety standards
- Ensure adherence to DOT, OSHA, and company safety policies
- Support incident and accident investigations, including fact-finding and corrective action implementation
- Reinforce proper use of PPE and safe operating practices at all times
Operational Performance & Continuous Improvement
- Own daily and weekly performance outcomes, including:
- Route completion
- Missed pickups
- Labor productivity
- Safety performance
- Identify inefficiencies and recommend improvements to routing, sequencing, and service delivery
- Support cost control by managing overtime, fuel usage, and operational exceptions
- Analyze route performance trends and take action to improve consistency and efficiency
- Own daily and weekly performance outcomes, including:
Cross-Functional Coordination
- Partner with dispatch to ensure clear communication of route plans and changes
- Work with maintenance to address equipment issues and ensure fleet readiness
- Collaborate with customer service to resolve customer concerns quickly and effectively
- Communicate operational updates, challenges, and opportunities to site leadership
Customer Experience
- Serve as a point of escalation for service-related issues
- Ensure timely and professional resolution of customer complaints
- Represent Patriot Disposal positively in all interactions with customers and the public
Key Performance Expectations
Success in this role will be measured by the ability to:
- Consistently achieve high route completion rates with minimal service failures
- Maintain strong safety performance and compliance
- Improve route productivity and operational efficiency
- Drive frontline employee accountability, engagement, and retention
- Deliver reliable, high-quality customer service
Qualifications & Requirements
- Operations Execution
- Plan, assign, and oversee daily route schedules based on service needs, staffing, and equipment availability
- Ensure all routes are completed safely, on time, and in accordance with company standards
- Adjust routes and reallocate resources throughout the day to address call-outs, delays, breakdowns, and service issues
- Review and validate route activity, including driver logs, trip records, and operational documentation
- Ensure timely recovery of missed pickups and service failures
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, coach, and hold drivers and helpers accountable for safety, performance, attendance, and conduct
- Foster a positive, safety-first, and performance-driven team culture
- Support recruiting, onboarding, and training of frontline employees
- Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and performance management, including disciplinary actions when necessary
- Serve as a visible and approachable leader in the yard and field
Safety Leadership
- Promote and enforce a safety-first culture across all operations
- Conduct route observations, ride-alongs, and yard audits to ensure compliance with safety standards
- Ensure adherence to DOT, OSHA, and company safety policies
- Support incident and accident investigations, including fact-finding and corrective action implementation
- Reinforce proper use of PPE and safe operating practices at all times
Operational Performance & Continuous Improvement
- Own daily and weekly performance outcomes, including:
- Route completion
- Missed pickups
- Labor productivity
- Safety performance
- Identify inefficiencies and recommend improvements to routing, sequencing, and service delivery
- Support cost control by managing overtime, fuel usage, and operational exceptions
- Analyze route performance trends and take action to improve consistency and efficiency
- Own daily and weekly performance outcomes, including:
Cross-Functional Coordination
- Partner with dispatch to ensure clear communication of route plans and changes
- Work with maintenance to address equipment issues and ensure fleet readiness
- Collaborate with customer service to resolve customer concerns quickly and effectively
- Communicate operational updates, challenges, and opportunities to site leadership
Customer Experience
- Serve as a point of escalation for service-related issues
- Ensure timely and professional resolution of customer complaints
- Represent Patriot Disposal positively in all interactions with customers and the public
Key Performance Expectations
Success in this role will be measured by the ability to:
- Consistently achieve high route completion rates with minimal service failures
- Maintain strong safety performance and compliance
- Improve route productivity and operational efficiency
- Drive frontline employee accountability, engagement, and retention
- Deliver reliable, high-quality customer service
Work Environment
This role operates in a combination of office, yard, and field environments and requires a consistent presence in active collection operations. The Route Manager is frequently exposed to outdoor conditions, traffic, noise, and moving equipment.
The position requires frequent walking, standing, climbing in and out of vehicles, and navigating active work zones. Use of required personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory.
Why Join Us?
This isn’t just another job — this is a chance to build, lead, and grow with a company that’s going places.
- Competitive salary performance-based bonuses.
- Real career growth opportunities as we expand.
- Strong leadership team focused on operational excellence.
- Full benefits: medical, dental, vision, 401(k) match.
- Paid time off holidays.
- Company-provided gear and PPE for operations jobs.
At Patriot Disposal, you’ll have the opportunity to lead a critical frontline team in a growing, essential services business. We are committed to safety, operational excellence, and building a culture where employees are valued, developed, and set up for success. This role offers meaningful impact, leadership responsibility, and opportunities for career growth.
The Bottom Line
If you’re ready to take ownership, lead from the front, and make an impact in a fast-growing company, we want to talk to you.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Patriot Disposal is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where all employees feel valued, respected, and supported.