About RoadRunner

At RoadRunner, our daily motivation is to accelerate the road to Zero Waste™ while providing maximum value for our customers and our communities. We achieve this through efficient, cost-effective and sustainable waste operations.

Our team cares deeply about each other and our planet, and we are dedicated to leveraging technology and innovation to modernize a vital industry with integrity, expertise and a passion for create a future where waste is a problem of the past™.

Technology, artificial intelligence and data-driven strategies are the backbone for our team of waste experts to reliably provide our customers with the most streamlined, cost effective and sustainable waste and recycling services.

Since RoadRunner’s creation in 2014, we’ve helped more than 12,000 customer locations achieve an average between 10 - 20% savings on their monthly waste bills while also improving their recycling efficiencies. We’re proud that RoadRunner’s industry-leading model has been recognized by the SEAL Business Sustainability Awards 2023, Pittsburgh Business Times’ Best Place to Work 2022, and Pittsburgh Inno’s 2022 Fire Awards.

Our Glassdoor reviews are fantastic (3.5/5 on 271 reviews), our CEO’s approval rating is 72%, and 67% of our reviewers would recommend working here. Our Indeed ratings have consistently improved as we’ve been expanding our teams (3.4/5 on 79 reviews) and we now have over 13K followers on LinkedIn.

Job Summary:

The Strategic Partnership Director will be responsible for developing, managing, and growing relationships with solid waste and recycling companies, including a focus on independent disposal facilities across the US (collectively, vendors). This includes working with private integrated collections and disposal companies, and public and private outlets that intake and/or process and/or dispose of various waste and recyclable material. The role is critical in ensuring the company meets growth and financial goals by ensuring operational efficiency via mutually beneficial vendor relationships.

A cross-functional role collaborating with internal strategy, operations, and hauling teams, this individual will help optimize vendor selection and customer routing, support material diversion opportunities, and act as a primary liaison between RoadRunner and vendors across our 20+ active markets. The ideal candidate will blend strategic thinking, relationship management skills, and a deep understanding of the waste and recycling ecosystem. The successful candidate is one who leverages their high level of strategic insight but works tirelessly on the day-to-day; there is no task too small.

Primary Duties %

50% - Develop and Manage Partnerships: Identify and establish partnerships with vendors and all divisions within their organizations, including hauling operations and disposal facilities, recycling centers, landfills, and transfer stations, in all active markets. Build strong, long-term relationships to support business needs.

25% - Vendor Relationship Management: Nurture and optimize relationships with vendors to drive operational efficiency; secure competitive pricing, and explore growth opportunities. Collaborate with internal teams to assess vendor performance, and address overarching issues timely and thoroughly.
10% - Operational Support: Relating to work done directly with disposal facilities, act as a primary point of contact for resolving issues quickly and offering support to internal teams and third parties, ensuring that all vendors meet established standards.
10% - Compliance and Sustainability: Ensure that all partners adhere to strict operational standards, and comply with industry regulations and sustainability goals, aligning outlet selection with RoadRunner’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

5% - Reporting & Analytics: Provide regular updates on partner performance, economic impacts, and developing market opportunities, using data to drive decisions and improve outcomes.

Travel required: 20% -40%

Organizational Relationship:

• Reports To: VP Marketplace
• Direct Reports: None
• Interacts with: Operations/Account Strategy, Finance, Technology, and the broader waste management ecosystem

Skills and Experience:

• Proven track record of negotiating and managing complex partnerships.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to drive data-driven decisions.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to travel as required to meet with vendors and manage relationships in various markets.
• Knowledge of the recycling and waste management industry.
• Familiarity with supply chain logistics and material handling processes.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Logistics, or a related field.
• 5 - 7+ years of experience in vendor management, business development, or strategic partnerships, preferably in waste management, logistics, or related industries.

Core Values:

• Trust - Have confidence in our team. Have integrity in your actions.
• Care personally about each other - Show compassion, empathy and open-mindedness.
• Be Passionate - Love what you do. Love what we do.
• Embrace challenge - See obstacles as opportunities to learn and grow.
• Be Humble - Stay grounded. Seek feedback. Be curious.
• Be Accountable - Take ownership. Be reliable. Be proactive.

We are excited to consider talented individuals from across the country. However, please note that we currently do not support candidates residing in the following states: Alaska (AK) / Delaware (DE) / Hawaii (HI) / Louisiana (LA) / Maine (ME) / Nebraska (NE) / Nevada (NV) / New Mexico (NM) / North Dakota (ND) / Rhode Island (RI) / South Dakota (SD) / Vermont (VT) / Wyoming (WY)

We thank all candidates for their interest in RoadRunner, but we cannot respond to everyone personally. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We look forward to reviewing your application!

RoadRunner is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer and is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. It is the policy of RoadRunner that qualified individuals with disabilities are not discriminated against because of their disabilities regarding job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of RoadRunner to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. RoadRunner is prepared to modify or adjust the job application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of the applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee to be considered for the position he or she desires, to perform the essential functions of the position in question, or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation will impose an undue hardship.

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