Trainee Compost Manager

About the Company

The Trainee Compost Manager supports the daily operations of a composting facility while developing the technical knowledge, leadership skills, and operational expertise required to manage a composting operation independently.

About the Role

Working closely with senior operational leaders, this role assists with production planning, compost quality management, inventory control, equipment oversight, environmental compliance, and team coordination. The successful candidate will receive hands-on training in all aspects of compost production, facility operations, equipment management, environmental monitoring, and employee supervision. This position is designed to prepare the individual for future leadership opportunities within compost operations and will progressively assume greater responsibility as competency and experience are demonstrated.

Responsibilities

Compost Operations

• Assist in maintaining compost quality and consistency.
• Support production scheduling and daily workflow planning.
• Learn and assist with compost recipe implementation and moisture management.
• Monitor compost process conditions, including temperature, moisture, and material quality.
• Assist with inventory tracking and material ordering.
• Participate in daily environmental and operational inspections.
• Support the maintenance of composting areas, storage systems, fans, probes, dampers, and related infrastructure.

Equipment and Maintenance

• Assist in monitoring the performance of composting equipment and machinery.
• Report equipment issues and coordinate maintenance activities with appropriate personnel.
• Support efforts to minimize downtime and improve equipment reliability.
• Learn preventative maintenance procedures and operational best practices.

Leadership Development

• Assist with coordinating daily work assignments and labor requirements.
• Support employee training initiatives and onboarding activities.
• Participate in coaching and mentoring opportunities with operational staff.
• Develop leadership skills through active involvement in team meetings and operational planning.
• Foster a respectful, collaborative, and safety-focused work environment.

Compliance and Continuous Improvement

• Support compliance with environmental permits, company policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in internal and external audits.
• Assist in maintaining production records, reports, and operational documentation.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, and cost control.
• Help identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and process effectiveness.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate operational records and production reports.
• Assist with inventory counts and material tracking.
• Support scheduling activities and workforce planning.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Experience in composting, agriculture, food processing, manufacturing, waste management, or a related operational environment preferred.
• Strong interest in composting operations, environmental stewardship, and process improvement.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends as operational needs require.

Required Skills

• Previous leadership, supervisory, or team lead experience.
• Knowledge of agricultural, manufacturing, environmental, or industrial operations.
• Familiarity with the British Columbia Environmental Management Act and Organic Matter Recycling Regulation (OMRR).
• Post-secondary education in Agriculture, Environmental Studies, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related field is preferred.
• Certification or experience operating heavy equipment such as forklifts, skid steers, loaders, or aerial lifts is preferred.
• Basic understanding of conveyors, mixers, pumps, fans, and related production equipment.