Operations Improvement Analyst

Have you been looking for a company that you can get behind and feel good about the impact it has on sustainability and recycling efforts? Quest is a full-service environmental consulting and management group supporting the efforts of Fortune 500 companies seeking to maximize profits and mitigate risks and minimize their ecological footprints.

If you want an opportunity where your efforts make an impact, Quest has an opportunity for you. The ideal person must be able to multi-task, work independently and have strong attention to detail while being able to collaboratively communicate across departments.

Why Work at Quest?
First off, we practice what we preach. We focus every day on recycling, reusing and repurposing where we can, and being socially responsible.

Second, we take care of our employees’ wellbeing and offer a comprehensive benefits package including: Medical/Dental/Vision, 401(k) Plan, Life and STD.

• Company paid Life, Short term disability plan (voluntary employee-paid LTD is offered)
• Eligibility for health and life insurance plans: 1st of month following date of hire
• Remote/hybrid work environment
• 401k plan with employer match
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Paid Holidays, Vacation and Sick time

Finally, we are just a modern, FUN and collaborative work environment. We’re a smaller company that provides opportunities for employees to advance within the company, so there is always room to grow. We offer a casual business environment (so, you can wear jeans), great incentives and rewards with a quarterly recognition program.

ROLE SUMMARY

The Operations Improvement Analyst is a data-driven and strategic role focused on optimizing costs and improving profitability across brokered and operational activities. This position plays a critical role in connecting waste generators with sustainable recycling solutions by analyzing brokerage cost structures, including transportation, processing fees, vendor margins, and other operational expenses.

The Analyst evaluates commodity market trends, client contract economics, and operational inefficiencies to identify opportunities for cost reduction and margin improvement. Through detailed financial and operational analysis, the role supports improved performance on brokered transactions, maximizes revenue from recyclable commodities, and contributes to delivering cost-effective, high-diversion waste management solutions in a dynamic and volatile market.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

• Analyze brokerage and operational cost drivers (e.g., vendor performance, commodity pricing fluctuations, contract variances) to identify inefficiencies, margin leaks, and savings opportunities across client and vendor portfolios.
• Perform detailed variance analysis on a monthly/quarterly basis for P&L, client-vendor specific costs, and highlight drivers such as market volatility strategies.
• Develop and maintain cost models, pricing tools, and scenario analyses (e.g., impact COGS – cost of goods sold) using Excel, SQL, and BI platforms to support quoting, negotiations, and profitability forecasting.
• Conduct total cost of ownership (TCO) and should-cost analyses for brokered services (hauling, processing, disposal alternatives); benchmark against market rates to negotiate better vendor terms and enhance client value propositions.
• Collaborate closely with sales, account managers, procurement, and finance to optimize client programs—identifying opportunities for cost savings, higher diversion rates, and increased commodity revenue share.
• Build and monitor KPI dashboards (Power BI/Tableau) for brokerage-specific metrics: cost per ton brokered, gross margin per transaction, client savings achieved, and variance trends.
• Support client audits, sustainability reporting (e.g., diversion percentages, avoided landfill costs, GHG impacts), and ESG goals by linking cost improvements to environmental outcomes.
• Quantify ROI on implemented initiatives; track sustained savings through audits, market monitoring, and control mechanisms to prevent cost regression in fluctuating commodity/fuel markets.
• Consistent and prompt attendance
• Other duties and projects as assigned and required of the business.

CORE VALUES
Together, we DRIVE success through the Quest Core Values:

• Develop People
  • Trust and empower one another
  • Encourage people to be their best selves
  • Honor individual goals and aspirations
  • Build strong leaders
• Foster Respect
  • Support one another
  • Treat every role as vital
  • Embrace diverse backgrounds
  • Create an inclusive environment
• Deliver Innovation
  • Be the change
  • Ask questions and be curious
  • Seek opportunities and identify problems
  • Contribute to solutions
• Value Relationships
  • Win and grow as one team
  • Put people first
  • Partner across the organization to build strong collaboration
  • Embody a customer service mindset – both internally and externally
• Pursue Excellence
  • Act with integrity
  • Hold yourself and others accountable
  • Be fully engaged
  • Focus fanatically on data and insights
  • Serve as a good steward in our communities

ROLE COMPETENCIES

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Business Analytics, Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Environmental Science, or a related quantitative field.
• 4–7 years of experience in cost analysis, pricing, operations finance, or process improvement—ideally in waste/recycling brokerage, commodity trading, logistics brokerage, environmental services, or related industries.
• Proven ability to deliver measurable cost savings or margin improvements (e.g., $300K annually) through data analysis, vendor negotiations, or operational optimizations.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel (financial modeling, VBA/macros), SQL for data querying, and visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau).
• Strong grasp of cost accounting, variance analysis, budgeting/forecasting, and basic Lean/Six Sigma principles (Green Belt preferred).
• Analytical mindset with excellent problem-solving skills; comfort handling volatile data.
• Strong communication skills; ability to influence cross-functional teams and present insights to leadership and clients.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to synthesize Business needs and manage relationships with diplomacy and tact
• Strong interpersonal and verbal/written communication and decision-making skills
• Strong technology skills and demonstrated proficiency using standard software packages as well as the ability to learn new software to collect data and complete projects
• Strong negotiating, analytical, planning, problem solving, organizational, and project management skills

Other Requirements:

• Ability to maintain the required level of activity toward achieving goals independently
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with executive management
• Ability to plan, develops, and coordinates profit-related activities independently
• Ability to introduce efficiencies into the profit generation process
• Periodic travel may be required
• This position is a "work from home" primary position. Standard rules governing work from home shall be always adhered to and will be supplied under separate documentation.

Salary : $300,000