Supervisor of Cell Operations
About the job
- A high school diploma or GED is required.
- At least 5 years of experience is required in landfill, solid-waste, heavy-equipment, construction, aggregate, mining, recycling, or a comparable heavy-industrial operation.
- At least 3 years of experience leading employees or coordinating an operating shift, including assigning work, monitoring performance, and responding to changing priorities.
- Working knowledge of landfill cell operations, including waste placement, compaction, grading, cover, haul-road maintenance, traffic control, and safe operation around heavy mobile equipment.
- Ability to read and follow fill plans, site maps, grades, elevations, operating procedures, and written shift instructions.
- Working knowledge of applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements, company safety practices, incident response, and environmental controls used in an active landfill.
- Ability to lead from the field, give clear direction, coach employees, address performance issues, and maintain accountability during a high-volume shift.
- Strong judgment, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to remain calm and make timely decisions during equipment failures, weather events, or other operating disruptions.
- Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic timekeeping.
- A valid driver's license is required.
- Ability to work the assigned night schedule, including weekends, holidays, overtime, and extended hours when operating conditions require additional coverage.
- Ability to work primarily outdoors in an active landfill environment with moving equipment, uneven terrain, dust, odors, noise, mud, and weather extremes, and to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Lead night-shift cell and working-face operations, including pre-shift communication, work assignments, field direction, and follow-up with equipment operators, laborers, and support personnel.
- Review the current fill plan, shift priorities, staffing, equipment availability, weather, and site conditions; adjust the work plan as conditions change and communicate material issues to the Director of Landfill Operations.
- Direct waste placement, spreading, compaction, grading, and daily or intermediate cover in accordance with the approved fill sequence, operating plan, and airspace-management expectations.
- Maintain safe and orderly truck flow at the working face by establishing dumping locations, separating truck and equipment movements, using spotters when needed, and addressing unsafe driver or customer behavior promptly.
- Monitor working-face width, lift depth, compaction practices, grades, slopes, and access so production goals are met without compromising safety, permit requirements, or long-term airspace utilization.
- Ensure haul roads, ramps, tipping pads, berms, drainage paths, lighting, signage, and traffic-control measures remain suitable for night operations; coordinate corrective work for mud, dust, snow, ice, standing water, or poor visibility.
- Maintain a visible presence in the field and reinforce company safety rules, required personal protective equipment, seat-belt use, backing and traffic procedures, equipment separation, and other safe-work practices; stop work when conditions are unsafe.
- Confirm that pre-shift and post-shift equipment inspections are completed and defects are reported. Coordinate with Maintenance to prioritize repairs, field service, fueling, and equipment changes that affect production or safety.
- Coordinate with Rail, Gondola Operations, Scale, Maintenance, Safety, Environmental, Wellfield, and other site teams to maintain waste flow, protect landfill infrastructure, and resolve operating conflicts during the shift.
- Supervise attendance, breaks, shift coverage, overtime, and timekeeping; provide coaching and timely feedback, document performance or conduct concerns, and partner with the Director and Human Resources on appropriate follow-up.
- Support onboarding, task training, and equipment qualification for new and current employees. Reinforce standard work and verify that employees can perform assigned duties safely and consistently.
- Track and communicate shift performance, including tons handled, production progress, equipment availability, staffing, delays, safety concerns, environmental issues, and work remaining for the next shift.
- Provide a complete written and verbal handoff to the day-shift Cell Operations Supervisors and the Director of Landfill Operations so open risks, equipment needs, site conditions, and operating priorities are understood.
- Respond to injuries, near misses, fires, spills, equipment damage, unstable ground, severe weather, and other emergencies; secure the area, make required notifications, preserve relevant information, and support investigations and corrective actions.
- Follow site procedures and permit requirements involving waste acceptance, cover, litter, stormwater, odors, leachate, and landfill-gas infrastructure; identify unusual conditions and escalate concerns to the appropriate site leader.
- Identify practical improvements to shift organization, traffic flow, equipment use, compaction, road conditions, safety, and employee training, and work with the Director and day-shift supervisors to put improvements in place.
- Perform other duties and provide additional shift coverage as required to support safe and continuous landfill operations.
- Related technical training or college coursework is preferred.
- Direct landfill working-face experience is strongly preferred.
- Experience operating or directing the use of dozers, landfill compactors, excavators, loaders, haul trucks, water trucks, and similar equipment is preferred.
- Bilingual English/Spanish skills are a plus.
About the company
Interstate Waste Services (IWS) provides waste management services to commercial, industrial, and residential clients in New York and New Jersey. It collects trash, rents dumpsters, and handles recycling, with revenue from service fees for collection and disposal, dumpster rentals, and processing recyclables. IWS also runs material recovery facilities that sort and process paper, cardboard, plastic, and aluminum for reuse. Distinctive traits include privately owned, locally operated operations with a family legacy, a strong emphasis on prompt, dependable service and competitive pricing, and a focus on environmental responsibility. The company aims to be a reliable waste management partner by offering comprehensive services and sustainable waste practices.
Company Size
501-1,000
Company Stage
Growth Equity (Non-Venture Capital)
Total Funding
$125M
Headquarters
Teaneck Township, New Jersey
Founded
1998
Get referred to Interstate Waste Services
See people who can refer or advise you
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- DSNY’s CWZ rollout started Midtown South on July 1, 2026, expanding locked-in demand.
- IWS added more than 1,400 employees in 2025, deepening route capacity.
- Emerge’s April 16, 2026 hiring event yielded two hires and 50 committed.
What critics are saying
- NLRB case 04-RC-380380 and Local 701 keep Hammonton labor relations volatile.
- DSNY’s 15-zone cap forces Action to sell routes after Filco’s December 2025 purchase.
- A failed CWZ transition would strand Action’s NYC growth engine behind DSNY approvals.
What makes Interstate Waste Services unique
- IWS owns collection, transfer, recycling, and disposal assets across the tri-state region.
- Action Environmental won Midtown South on April 28, 2026, proving zone-specific execution.
- North Arlington’s $30 million MRF processes 215,000 tons annually with AI robotics.
Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?
Benefits
Hybrid Work Options
Professional Development Budget
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
23%1 year growth
23%2 year growth
23%Interstate Waste Services' Brian Moran honored as a 2026 Waste360 40 Under 40 award recipient. The awards recognize rising stars in the waste, recycling and organics industries NEW YORK CITY, June 11, 2026 - Interstate Waste Services, Inc. ("IWS") is proud to announce that Brian Moran, Director of Contract Compliance, has been named to Waste360's 2026 40 Under 40 Awards list. This honor highlights young professionals who have made meaningful contributions to the waste, recycling, and organics industries. Brian began his career with Interstate Waste Services (IWS) as a project coordinator shortly after graduating from Rutgers University and has progressed through roles in project and program management. Today, he serves as Director of Compliance for the New York City Commercial Waste Zones (CWZ) program. In this role, Brian partners closely with market, functional, and executive leadership to scale operations at Action Carting, an Interstate Waste Services (IWS) company, in response to evolving regulatory requirements, market dynamics, workforce growth, and community needs. Brian's work is central to ensuring program readiness, which includes supporting strategic investments in infrastructure, technology, and people. He is responsible for monitoring progress and reporting on key milestones across all functions to support a seamless and compliant transition under the CWZ program. "I'm honored to be included in this year's 40 Under 40," said Brian Moran. "Since joining the company in 2020, I've been fortunate to learn from a host of talented industry leaders, and this humbling acknowledgement can be attributed to these leaders' generous lessons and inspiring appetite for innovation. Action/IWS' commitment to the success of NYC's CWZ Program has afforded me tremendous opportunities for personal and professional growth, and I'm excited to continue applying ingenuity within such an essential industry." "Brian has been instrumental in driving our success as we implement the Commercial Waste Zones program," said Josh Haraf, Vice President of NYC Market. "His ability to navigate complex requirements while keeping our teams on track and focused sets him apart. This truly reflects the impact he's had, not only here at IWS, but across the industry." Action Carting's designation as an authorized hauler across 15 Commercial Waste Zones reflects the company's expertise and commitment to meeting the city's evolving standards. Brian's leadership has played a critical role in helping secure this position, ensuring readiness across all aspects of the program. As implementation continues, Action remains focused on driving operational excellence, maintaining the highest levels of compliance, and delivering meaningful community impact for its customers.
Interstate Waste Services committed to hiring Emerge graduates. Here's what built that. Interstate Waste Services collected over 30 resumes at its April 16 CDL Hiring Event, hired two graduates within weeks, and committed to hiring at least 50 more through a structured Driver Helper-to-CDL Driver pathway. Here's how one employer champion turned a single event into a real hiring pipeline. May 4, 2026 Inter state Waste Services committed to hiring Emerge graduates. Here's what built that. One employer walked out of its April hiring event with 30+ resumes in hand. A couple of weeks later, they'd already hired 2 of its graduates. Now they've formally committed to hiring at least 50. That employer is Interstate Waste Services (IWS). And the person who made this partnership real is David Brown Sr., MBA, Director of Safety at IWS. David showed up, stayed engaged, and kept the conversation going long after the event ended. That kind of follow-through is rare. This post is about what he set in motion. The event was the setup. The story is what came after. On April 16, 2026, Emerge Career ran its CDL Community Employer Hiring Event at the Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Heights Branch. 48 students showed up with resumes in hand. 9 employers were in the room. By every measure, it exceeded every goal Emerge Career set for it. The centerpiece was a live four-person employer panel that gave its students an honest, ground-level look at building a career in waste services and commercial transportation: * David Brown Sr., MBA - Director of Safety, Interstate Waste Services * Michael J. Cristina - Director of Safety, Boro-Wide Recycling * Zach Miller - VP of Government Affairs, Trucking Association of New York * Leroy Smalls - Driver Trainer, Sprague Operating Resources LLC These weren't placeholder panelists. Each one came with real information, real hiring needs, and real talk about what the work actually looks like. Its students came prepared. The employers came to recruit. That combination - when it clicks - is exactly what Emerge Career built this event to create. IWS didn't just show up. They recruited. David Brown and his team didn't come to wave a banner. They came to hire. IWS collected over 30 resumes that night - more than any other employer in the room. That's a Director of Safety and his team actively working the floor: talking to graduates, asking real questions, evaluating real talent. The results came fast: * | 2 graduates hired directly from the event * | More interviews actively in progress * | Formal commitment: IWS will hire at least 50 Emerge Career graduates from its program Don't take my word for it - hear it directly from David himself: David says it plainly: IWS needs drivers. A lot of them. And they've decided Emerge graduates are who they want filling that pipeline. That's not a polite gesture - that's a hiring commitment backed by action already underway. The pathway: CDL Driver Helper | Full CDL Driver. Here's what makes this more than a job fair win. IWS isn't just handing its graduates a job and calling it done. They've structured a real career track. Its graduates enter IWS as CDL Licensed Driver Helpers - working alongside experienced drivers, learning the operation from the ground up: the routes, the physical demands, the safety standards, the culture. This is intentional onboarding, not a holding pattern. The pathway: * CDL Licensed Driver Helper - ride the routes, learn the company, prove reliability * Promotion to Full CDL Driver - with IWS directly or through their network of partner companies * Continue growing - IWS has a deep culture of promoting from within; their supervisors, managers, and dispatchers have been doing this for yearsMany of IWS's supervisors, managers, and other leadership staff started their careers as helpers, drivers, or dispatchers - and they are eager to promote from within.What's new is that Emerge Career is now a formal feeder into that pipeline - and IWS is backing that with a committed hiring number and graduates who are already on the job. This isn't a gap-filler role. It's a launchpad. A genuine thank you to David Brown and the IWS team. Big-picture partnerships don't build themselves. They build because one person decides to show up, stay in it, and follow through after everyone else has gone home. That person is David Brown Sr., MBA. David came to the panel, he engaged authentically with its students, and when the event was over, he kept the conversation going. He's the reason IWS has already made two hires, has interviews in progress, and has committed to 50 more. He's the champion here - and Emerge Career does not take that lightly. To David and the full IWS team: thank you. You're not just hiring graduates. You're helping build what this entire program is designed to produce - a real, functioning pipeline from its community into careers in the trades. That matters more than you know. What this means if you're building in this space. A few things became clear through this process that I want to put on the record: * Employers are hungry. IWS collected 30+ resumes in one night because the need is genuine.IWS is one of the most progressive and innovative providers of solid waste and recycling services in the country, and they still can't fill their driver seats fast enough. The CDL shortage is not abstract - it shows up as a Director of Safety personally working a hiring event floor. * Structure beats intention. The Helper-to-Driver pathway works because it's a defined career track, not a vague "opportunity to grow." Its graduates know what Day 1 looks like and what promotion looks like. That clarity is what makes placements stick. * One champion changes everything. David Brown didn't have to commit to 50 hires. He did it because he sees what Emerge graduates bring. If you're an employer reading this - be the David Brown at your company. Partner with Emerge Career. If you're in waste services, trucking, HVAC, EV tech, or any skilled trade where you need a pipeline of trained, job-ready CDL talent - let's talk. Emerge Career is actively building employer partnerships across the New York metro area and beyond.
Reflecting on 2025 and looking ahead to 2026. By jaime gollotto, president of IWS. Stepping into 2026, I wanted to pause and reflect on how 2025 was a truly defining year for IWS. It was a year shaped by meaningful progress, continued momentum, and a deep commitment to delivering reliable, high-quality service to the customers and communities Interstate Waste Services, Inc. serve. Throughout 2025, one principle remained clear: Interstate Waste Services, Inc. did not simply grow, Interstate Waste Services, Inc. grew the right way. Its core values of Do the Right Thing, Refuse to Fail, Be a Great Team, Say What You Mean, Do What You Say, and Make a Difference Every Day guided its decisions, shaped its culture, and anchored Interstate Waste Services, Inc. through a year of significant change. 2025 was marked by meaningful growth and transformation. Through disciplined, strategic acquisitions, Interstate Waste Services, Inc. expanded its footprint and strengthened its capabilities. Interstate Waste Services, Inc. reached a major milestone with the launch of its first CWZ zone, an important step forward in modernizing how Interstate Waste Services, Inc. operate, collaborate, and serve its customers in New York City. Change at this scale requires focus, resilience, and trust, and the execution throughout this journey was exceptional. While its values guide Interstate Waste Services, Inc., its results matter. Interstate Waste Services, Inc. delivered record safety performance, Interstate Waste Services, Inc. achieved strong acquisition driven growth and expanded its IWS family with more than 1,400 new employees, all while maintaining a strong focus on integration, safety, and service. Interstate Waste Services, Inc. also realized strong organic growth, generating new commercial hauling revenue, and successfully renewing numerous municipal contracts. To support this growth, Interstate Waste Services, Inc. expanded and modernized critical infrastructure through enhanced landfill and rail capabilities, the opening of the North Arlington MRF, and the launch of the Lyndhurst container maintenance facility. At the same time, Interstate Waste Services, Inc. continued to invest deeply in its people and leaders. Interstate Waste Services, Inc. reduced total turnover, conducted an engagement survey with results in the top quartile, and launched a leadership development program that 360 leaders have already completed. Interstate Waste Services, Inc. also successfully incorporated more than 50,000 customers into the IWS billing platform while testing and deploying new technology, systems, and processes that will define its future operating model. Interstate Waste Services, Inc. made important progress strengthening its foundation as well. Interstate Waste Services, Inc. advanced enterprise-wide transformation efforts by piloting new operating models in NYC and Northern New Jersey while also scoping its initial customer facing Ease of Doing Business initiative. Interstate Waste Services, Inc. accomplished all of this while reinforcing a culture of accountability, teamwork, and high standards. What I am most proud of, however, is not any single metric or milestone. It is the consistency with which IWS continued to raise the bar on talent, processes, and performance while staying true to who Interstate Waste Services, Inc. is. That discipline and integrity are what position IWS for sustained, long term success. As Interstate Waste Services, Inc. look ahead to 2026, its focus is clear: build on its momentum. Interstate Waste Services, Inc. will continue to integrate recent acquisitions, fully leverage the systems and tools Interstate Waste Services, Inc. has put in place, and accelerate operational excellence and the customer experience across the enterprise. Interstate Waste Services, Inc. will continue investing in leadership development, collaboration, and execution as Interstate Waste Services, Inc. strengthen IWS and support the communities and customers Interstate Waste Services, Inc. proudly serve. The opportunities in front of Interstate Waste Services, Inc. are significant, and I am confident in its ability to capture them. Interstate Waste Services, Inc. will continue delivering for its customers, supporting its communities, and creating long-term value for all stakeholders. Here's to 2026!
Its big transformation is here. By Rakesh Gopakumar, Chief Transformation Officer What an incredible time for IWS! With amazing growth, new acquisitions, and major projects like New York City's Commercial Waste Zone, the IWS team has accomplished a lot in 2025. As Interstate Waste Services, Inc. look ahead as an organization, toward new and exciting opportunities, one of its core values comes to mind: Make a Difference Every Day. This value challenges Interstate Waste Services, Inc. to grow through continuous improvement and the relentless pursuit of finding a better way to deliver its essential services. That's why Interstate Waste Services, Inc. has launched IWS Transform: a bold initiative designed to elevate the customer experience and set new standards for operational excellence. What Does Transformation Mean? By definition, transformation is the process of changing in composition or structure. For Interstate Waste Services, Inc., it means enhancing systems and processes to unlock new levels of performance and leap forward into the next chapter of IWS's growth journey. Here's its areas of focus for the next 12-24 months: * Transforming Customer Experience Interstate Waste Services, Inc. is committed to being the most reliable and easiest company to work with. Through this initiative, Interstate Waste Services, Inc. aim to make it simpler for its customers to engage with Interstate Waste Services, Inc., whether through proactive communication or multiple support channels like phone, chat, web, and a mobile app with more robust support resources. * Transforming Operations Behind the scenes, Interstate Waste Services, Inc. is standardizing processes and investing in technology to make the best use of its talented people and equipment. This means more efficient service and a foundation for sustainable growth. Why It Matters Over the next 12-24 months, these changes will lay the groundwork for its future. While transformation begins with customer experience and hauling operations, it will touch every part of its business, propelling Interstate Waste Services, Inc. to new levels of growth and reliability. Its mission is simple: make IWS the leading waste management company in every market Interstate Waste Services, Inc. serve. And transformation is how Interstate Waste Services, Inc.'ll get there. Follow Interstate Waste Services, Inc. for updates on how Interstate Waste Services, Inc. is shaping the future of waste management and what it means for you.
NEW YORK, Dec. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Interstate Waste Services, Inc. ("IWS"), a leading, vertically integrated provider of solid waste collection, recycling and disposal services, announced the acquisition of Filco Carting Corp ("Filco"). This acquisition strengthens the CWZ preparedness of Action Environmental Services, IWS's BIC-licensed and CWZ-awarded subsidiary, across New York City, and marks another milestone in the company's growth throughout the tri-state region.Filco Carting Corp., founded in New York City in 1910, began its operations with a single horse and cart on 38th St. Now, in its fourth generation of family ownership, Filco has grown into one of NYC's longest established and most respected waste management companies. In 2024, through the acquisitions of a series of residential waste collection contracts, Filco expanded its service area and relocated its headquarters to Closter, NJ."We are thrilled to welcome the Filco team to the IWS family," says Mike DiBella, founder and chief executive officer of Interstate Waste Services