Director - Operational Performance

VLS Environmental Solutions, LLC, is a recognized leader in providing sustainability solutions, with three divisions providing industry-leading services. With a mission to innovate solutions to meet clients' sustainability goals, VLS has over 1,200 employees in 40+ locations across North America.

Waste Services

VLS Waste Services provides customized waste processing solutions for hazardous and non-hazardous industrial and commercial waste, including landfill diversion and sustainability programs, solidification of liquid waste, recycling, wastewater treatment, and waste sequestration.

Railcar Services

VLS Railcar Cleaning and Repair Services division provides specialty cleaning services for difficult-to-clean products, including chemicals, hardened materials, and pressurized gases, and comprehensive repair services for certified full-service repairs, tank car qualifications, and maintenance.

Marine Services

VLS Marine Services division offers state-of-the-art barge cleaning, repair, and gas-free facilities for various chemical solvents and downstream petroleum products.

Qualifications

Position Summary

The Director, Operational Performance is responsible for executing operational improvement initiatives across the Non-Hazardous Waste division by translating strategic priorities established by senior leadership into actionable projects that enhance operational efficiency, standardize best practices, and improve overall business performance.

Reporting to the SVP of Operational Improvements, this role leads cross-functional initiatives that drive process optimization, operational consistency, and cost efficiency across facilities. The Director also oversees operational integration activities associated with branch openings, relocations, consolidations, acquisitions, and organizational transitions, ensuring operational readiness, regulatory compliance, and business continuity.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Improvement Execution
Lead implementation of divisional operational improvement initiatives that increase efficiency, reduce operating costs, and improve facility performance.

Process Optimization & Standardization
Evaluate operational workflows, identify inefficiencies, and deploy standardized best practices across facilities to improve consistency, productivity, and safety.

Project Leadership
Lead cross-functional operational improvement projects from planning through execution in coordination with regional leadership, engineering, compliance, transportation, IT, and the PMO.

Operational Integration & Facility Transitions
Plan and execute operational integrations associated with facility openings, relocations, consolidations, and acquisitions while ensuring operational continuity and readiness.

Facility Readiness & Startup Coordination
Support site readiness activities including equipment mobilization, infrastructure coordination, and operational startup during facility transitions.

Regulatory & Environmental Compliance
Ensure operational transitions and improvement initiatives comply with DOT, EPA, and applicable state and local environmental regulations, including permit coordination where required.

Logistics & Asset Coordination
Coordinate operational assets, fleet, containers, equipment deployment, and waste routing adjustments to maintain service continuity during operational transitions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Risk Management
Act as a liaison between operations leadership and corporate departments to ensure alignment, identify integration risks, and implement mitigation strategies to prevent operational disruption.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations Management, Environmental Science, Engineering, or related field preferred
• 10+ years of operational leadership experience in environmental services, industrial services, logistics, or related industries
• Experience leading operational improvement initiatives and facility integration or startup projects
• Working knowledge of DOT regulations and environmental compliance preferred
• Strong project management, organizational leadership, and cross-functional coordination skills

Core Competencies

Strong knowledge of CA regulatory requirements 

Operational Improvement & Continuous Improvement
Operational Integration & Execution
Process Optimization & Standardization
Project & Change Management
Regulatory Compliance Awareness
Cross-Functional Leadership
Risk Mitigation & Problem Solving