Operations and Finance Leadership Development Program

Position Summary

Casella Waste Systems' 18-24 month rotational program is designed to develop future operations and finance leaders through structured learning and direct experience across the company's operating, accounting, safety, systems, and business processes. The selected candidate will complete 2-3 month rotations at divisions and functional areas within the Western Region, gaining exposure to waste collection, transfer, disposal, recycling, fleet maintenance, and corporate and divisional finance.

The candidate will work with regional financial and operations leadership and local operating teams to understand how safety, service, people, productivity, and asset decisions affect financial performance. Assignments will combine financial analysis and reporting with frontline operating experience, supervised leadership responsibilities, and cross-functional improvement projects. Upon successful completion of the program, the individual will be considered for an operations or finance leadership opportunity within Casella based on performance, experience, career interests, and business needs. Potential roles may include Assistant Division Controller, Division Controller, Assistant Operations Supervisor, Operations Manager, or another business unit leadership position.

Travel and relocation will be required during the program and may be required upon completion.

Hiring Range  $60,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year

Key Responsibilities

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  Operations Leadership Development

  • Builds collaborative relationships with frontline managers, dispatchers, drivers, maintenance, sales, and safety teams to understand daily business operations and the customer service commitments of the local market.
  • Learns and supports collection operations and processes for commercial, industrial, and residential customers, including dispatch, route planning, work order execution, and fleet coordination.
  • Participates in route, labor, and productivity reviews to understand service performance, labor hours, asset utilization, fleet availability, and opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability.
  • Develops practical knowledge of DOT and OSHA safety requirements, accident prevention programs, environmental and regulatory standards, and company policies related to operating, accounting, employment, and ethical conduct.
  • Supports business unit plans intended to improve the customer experience, service reliability, sustainable growth, and long-term profitability.
  • Gains supervised people leadership experience through goal setting, performance discussions, coaching, training, talent development, and employee engagement activities.

  Finance Leadership Development

  • Assists the financial leadership team in analyzing, preparing, and reviewing financial activities and business processes using generally accepted accounting principles and established internal controls.
  • Contributes to financial statements and operating analysis to explain performance, identify risks and opportunities, and recommend practical corrective measures with operating leaders.
  • Assists with monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and develops an understanding of the close process, account analysis, and financial reporting requirements.
  • Contributes to annual budgets and periodic forecasts that connect volume, pricing, labor, fleet, capital, and other operating assumptions to division and corporate financial results.
  • Develops in-depth knowledge of the financial ERP system and applications used for billing, accounts receivable, work order management, routing, maintenance, data extraction, budgeting, and forecasting.
  • Learns accounting and finance policies and procedures across corporate and divisional groups and identifies opportunities to strengthen processes, controls, data quality, and efficiency.
  • Develops an understanding of the application of Sarbanes-Oxley requirements within Casella and the operating leader's role in maintaining effective internal controls.

  Business Leadership Development

  • Connects operational performance with financial results by evaluating the effect of safety, service, labor, routing, fleet, pricing, and customer decisions on the business unit's income statement and financial position.
  • Communicates with employees throughout the company, including operations, finance, marketing, sales, maintenance, safety, human resources, and information technology, as part of assigned analyses and improvement initiatives.
  • Completes rotational projects that address a defined business need, uses data to evaluate alternatives, and presents findings and recommended actions to operating and financial leaders.
  • Cultivates productive working relationships with customers, vendors, auditors, community partners, and company personnel while representing Casella in a professional and trustworthy manner.
  • Participates in training, field learning, and other development opportunities to expand knowledge of the company, its products and services, and its operating and financial leadership practices.

Education, Experience & Qualifications

The successful candidate will have a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, or a related field and 2-5 years of relevant experience in business, public accounting, operations, transportation, logistics, or solid waste. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered. The individual must be legally eligible to work in the United States and must demonstrate the ability to work as part of a collaborative team.

Excellent listening, communication, problem-solving, analytical, and relationship management skills are required. The candidate must demonstrate proficiency with Microsoft Office, spreadsheets, database management, data extraction, and analysis. Experience with ERP accounting software and operational systems is preferred, as is familiarity with DOT, OSHA, DEP, and DEC requirements.

The role requires regular travel among business units and the willingness and ability to relocate during the program and for an appropriate leadership opportunity after completion.

Attributes

Analytical, safety-minded, responsible, confident, and team-oriented individual who is attentive to detail, highly organized, trustworthy, adaptable, committed to developing others, and focused on results. The successful candidate can see the larger business picture while examining detailed operating and financial information.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability Insurance, Maternity and Parental Leave, Flexible Spending Accounts, Discounted Stock Program, 401K, Employee Awards, Employee Assistance Plan, Wellness Incentive, Tuition Assistance, Career Pathways, and More.