Director of Operations – Mexico

THE COMPANY

We have been retained by a client, who is an industry leader in sustainable environmental services, specializing in hazardous waste management, solvent recycling, and site remediation.  With operations across North America, they deliver innovative, compliant, and cost-effective solutions that protect communities and the environment. They foster a culture of safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement while empowering their leaders to make an impact.

THE POSITION

The Director of Operations – Mexico will lead our client’s hazardous waste and recycling operations across multiple sites in Baja California (Tijuana and Mexicali), ensuring safety, compliance, operational efficiency, and growth. This executive will oversee P&L performance, build and maintain strategic relationships, and integrate U.S. and Mexico business practices into a unified operational framework.
This is a hands-on, high-impact role requiring deep knowledge of hazardous waste management, bi-national regulatory requirements, and the ability to align operational execution with strategic business goals. This position reports to the VP of Operations.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Performance

• Oversee Tijuana and Mexicali hazardous waste and recycling operations, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives.
• Develop, implement, and monitor annual business plans for each site, including performance targets, safety goals, and compliance objectives.
• Establish KPIs to drive operational efficiency, cost competitiveness, and value to clients.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, process optimization, and capital investment strategies.
• Ensure robust safety programs and compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations in both Mexico and the U.S.

Financial & Commercial Management

• Manage full P&L responsibility for $42M annual revenue, ensuring profitability and growth targets are met.
• Allocate resources and capital strategically to meet profit and expansion objectives.
• Approve pricing strategies and oversee market competitiveness for services and recycled products.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, including customer acquisition and retention strategies.

Strategic Relationships & Compliance

• Cultivate relationships with customers, government agencies (e.g., SEMARNAT), and regulatory authorities in both countries.
• Oversee transboundary hazardous waste activities in compliance with U.S. (EPA, CA) and Mexico regulations.
• Support integration of newly acquired companies into the companies’ operational and cultural standards.
• Provide market intelligence, industry trend analysis, and strategic recommendations to the executive team.

THE CANDIDATE

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Business, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 7+ years in hazardous waste industry management, including at least 3 years in Mexico overseeing multi-site operations.
• Proven experience with hazardous waste recycling, solvent recovery, and cross- border operations.
• In-depth knowledge of U.S. federal and California hazardous waste regulations, and Mexico federal/state environmental laws.
• Experience managing transboundary hazardous waste movements and related permitting processes.
• Strong P&L management, strategic planning, and financial acumen.
• Skilled negotiator with proven ability to lead teams, manage change, and resolve complex operational issues.
• Strong leader who wins trust and is empathetic. Possesses emotional and social intelligence to manage change.
• A driver who makes things happen, manages ambiguity, has high energy, agility, is assertive and self-motivated.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite, especially Excel; CRM experience preferred.
• 100% bilingual English Spanish, with exceptional verbal and written communication skills in both languages.

Why Join our client?

• Opportunity to lead a high-revenue, multi-site operation in a critical growth market.
• Influence bi-national environmental strategies with significant operational impact.
• Work in a mission-driven company committed to sustainability, safety, and community well-being.