Supervisor of Cell Operations

Overview

Interstate Waste Services is the most progressive and innovative provider of solid waste and recycling services in the greater New York, New Jersey and Connecticut markets with a rail-served landfill in Ohio.  IWS is committed to delivering high-quality waste, recycling and environmental services, while prioritizing the safety of our employees, customers and communities. We cater to a diverse range of industrial, medical and commercial/residential customers.

Founded in 1998, IWS has grown over the years through acquisitions, many of which were family-owned businesses that remain a part of our team today. We’re proud to combine the resources of a large company with the values and care of a family-run business.

Essential Job Summary:

The Supervisor of Cell Operations leads the safe and efficient operation of the landfill working face during the assigned shift. This position directs equipment operators and laborers and is responsible for waste placement, compaction, grading, cover, traffic flow, haul-road and tipping-area conditions, housekeeping, and the effective use of people and equipment.

Working as a peer to the alternative shift Cell Operations Supervisor. This is a field-based leadership role that requires sound judgment, strong knowledge of landfill and heavy-equipment operations, and the ability to set clear expectations, respond to changing conditions, and follow through on safety and performance issues.

Essential Job Functions: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other minor duties may be assigned.

• 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 PPE, 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.
•  

Requirements and Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED required; related technical training or college coursework is preferred.
• At least 5+ years of experience in landfill, solid-waste, heavy-equipment, construction, aggregate, mining, recycling, or a comparable heavy-industrial operation. Direct landfill working-face experience is strongly preferred.
• 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.
• Experience operating or directing the use of dozers, landfill compactors, excavators, loaders, haul trucks, water trucks, and similar equipment is preferred.
• Ability to read and follow fill plans, site maps, grades, elevations, operating procedures, and written shift instructions.
• Working knowledge of applicable OSHA requirements, company safety practices, incident response, and the environmental controls used in an active landfill.
• Demonstrated 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
• Valid driver's license required. Bilingual English/Spanish skills are a plus.
• Must be able 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.

Additional Information

This job description is intended to be an accurate representation of the general functions of the job, rather than exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or experience. Other duties may be assigned, requested, or required. Aspects of the job may be altered without notice.

Interstate Waste Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Salary Range Minimum

USD $75,000.00/Yr.

Salary Range Maximum

USD $100,000.00/Yr.