The posting
Job Title: Zero Waste Program Manager Salary Range: $92,000-95,000 Location: Seattle Administration
About the Position The Program Manager, Zero Waste leads the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of Evergreen Goodwill’s Zero Waste program. This role translates organizational sustainability goals into coordinated, measurable initiatives that reduce landfill dependency, improve material recovery, and strengthen circular systems, and support mission and financial outcomes. The position in partnership with the Business Development role manages the full program lifecycle, from baseline assessment and opportunity prioritization through pilot design, implementation, performance measurement, and scale-up. Working across retail, donations, outlet, salvage, transportation, facilities, finance, data, and external partners, the Program Manager builds and executes the structure, accountability, and operating practices needed to manage and successfully deliver against the portfolio of projects encompassed within the Zero Waste Program. Essential Functions and Responsibilities Essential Functions and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice. Zero Waste Program Management – 70% · Operationalize the Zero Waste program roadmap, including priorities, milestones, dependencies, risks, resource needs, and implementation plans. · Identify and prioritize material streams and operational opportunities based on environmental impact, feasibility, cost, scale, market conditions, and mission alignment. · Coordinate with operational teams to ensure solutions are practical, safe, documented, and incorporated into day-to-day workflows. · Build and maintain a Zero Waste playbook to support consistent assessment, implementation, measurement, and replication across locations.
Design, launch, and evaluate pilots focused on reuse, recycling, source separation, donation acceptance, process redesign, and other diversion opportunities. Develop pilot charters, business cases, budgets, schedules, standard work, training plans, communications, and transition plans. Apply continuous-improvement practices to identify barriers, capture lessons learned, improve processes, and determine whether pilots should be scaled, modified, or discontinued. Lead cross-functional governance and working teams, establishing clear roles, decision-making responsibilities, commitments, and next steps. Partner with the Business Development Manager and other stakeholders to identify qualified recycling, reuse, technology, municipal, nonprofit, and industry partners. Monitor relevant market, policy, infrastructure, and technology developments and translate them into program risks, opportunities, and recommendations. Represent Evergreen Goodwill professionally during site visits, working groups, community forums, and external partner engagements.
Data, Measurement & Performance Reporting – 15% · Establish and maintain a data-driven baseline for landfill-bound materials using waste audits, material characterization, operational data, and recurring measurement. · Define program success measures and reporting cadence. · Track diversion, disposal costs, material volumes, contamination, operational performance, and other approved KPIs. · Prepare dashboards, recommendations, program updates, and presentations for leadership and key stakeholders. · Provide data and outcomes needed to support grants, incentives, and partnership opportunities. Disposal Cost & Operational Performance Management - 10% · Manage, audit, monitor, and identify opportunities to reduce organizational backhaul disposal costs. · Evaluate disposal and diversion opportunities based on cost, volume, operational feasibility, and environmental impact. · Use operational and financial data to recommend changes that improve both Zero Waste outcomes and cost effectiveness. Safety, Compliance & Other Responsibilities – 5%
Ensure compliance with applicable safety, environmental, legal, and organizational requirements. Escalate hazards, compliance concerns, and material program risks appropriately. Promote safe work practices through awareness, training, and identification and reporting of potential hazards. Perform other duties and projects as assigned.
Additional Responsibilities
Demonstrate sound judgment and professionalism while working independently or in team environments. Remain calm and effective during stressful or emergency situations. Maintain required certifications, training, and professional development. Meet established timelines for assigned work and projects. Uphold safe work practices and contribute to a culture of workplace safety. Perform other duties as assigned in support of department objectives and organizational needs.
Position Requirements To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This role requires reliable transportation to travel between work sites and/or perform job duties as scheduled. Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Sustainability, Environmental Studies, Business, Operations, Supply Chain, Project Management, Public Administration, or a related field; equivalent experience considered. [3-5]+ years of experience managing cross-functional programs or projects in sustainability, waste reduction, recycling, circular economy, operations, supply chain, continuous improvement, or a related field. Demonstrated experience moving initiatives from concept through implementation, measurement, and continuous improvement. Experience developing work back plans, managing dependencies and risks, facilitating teams, and communicating progress to varied stakeholders. Experience using data to establish baselines, evaluate performance, and make recommendations. Experience with waste audits, material recovery, recycling markets, reuse systems, retail operations, logistics, or nonprofit operations preferred. Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Teams; ability to learn internal systems quickly. Strong program and project management skills, including planning, prioritization, facilitation, risk management, documentation, and follow-through. Ability to translate ambitious sustainability goals into practical operating plans, phased pilots, and measurable results. Analytical ability to interpret operational and material-flow data, evaluate tradeoffs, and develop clear recommendations. Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build trust and influence across diverse operational, technical, and executive stakeholders. Ability to work effectively in ambiguity, create structure, and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously. Working knowledge of waste prevention, reuse, recycling, material recovery, circular economy, and related environmental concepts. Business and financial acumen sufficient to evaluate costs, avoided disposal expenses, resource requirements, and implementation feasibility. Commitment to Evergreen Goodwill’s mission, values, and culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Analytical skill, problem-solving, organizing, categorizing, and analyzing data. Strong attention to detail, prioritization, time management, and multi-tasking skills. Foster an environment of initiative, communication, accountability, and excellence.
Certificates, Licenses, or Registrations
Valid driver’s license and ability to travel locally for site visits and partner meetings as needed. Project management, Lean, Six Sigma, TRUE Zero Waste, or related certification preferred but not required.
Computer/Technology Skills
Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Teams; ability to learn internal systems quickly.
Physical Abilities
Ability to sit at a desk and work on a computer for extended periods of time. Occasionally required to lift and carry files or materials weighing up to 10 pounds. Ability to communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and in writing. Ability to visit operational sites and partner locations, which may include walking on uneven surfaces and exposure to warehouse/industrial environments. Analytical skill, problem-solving, organizing, categorizing, and analyzing data. Strong attention to detail, prioritization, time management, and multi-tasking skills. Foster an environment of initiative, communication, accountability, and excellence.
