Operations Lead

We are looking for a dynamic and hands-on
Operations Lead
to establish and scale the
Deposit Refund System (DRS) operations in Kerala
. This role demands a true builder—someone who can
build the team from scratch, stand up the collection ecosystem, run reverse pick-ups/line-haul, commission sorting & processing centres, and manage dispatches to recyclers with full compliance and digital traceability
. The role will be pivotal in ensuring that Kerala's DRS operates with
end-to-end traceability, efficiency, and sustainability impact
.

Key Responsibilities

1. Team Build & Leadership

• Hire, onboard, and manage high-performing teams including area supervisors, field executives, hub leads, and control tower analysts.
• Define SOPs, SLAs, and safety standards; drive a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Run structured performance reviews and regular cadence of daily/weekly operational huddles.

2. Collection Ecosystem (Multi-Channel)

• Plan and commission collection points (RVMs, QR/app/sound-box, manual booths) across priority clusters including
  urban centers, tourist hubs, HoReCa, schools, and panchayats
  .
• Monitor uptime, consumables, cash/DRS-value reconciliation, and incident management.

3. Reverse Pick-up & Line-Haul

• Design route plans, fleet capacity, cut-offs, and ensure smooth daily dispatch and recovery.
• Drive KPIs on on-time pick-ups, first-attempt success rates, route productivity, and cost/ton efficiency.

4. Sorting & Processing Centres

• Establish and operate hubs as
  mini-warehouses
  handling inbound QC, weighment, grading, baling, storage, and outbound logistics.
• Implement EHS compliance, 5S practices, shrinkage control, and throughput targets; manage shift adherence and audits.

5. Dispatch to Recyclers / Brand Partners

• Plan and schedule loads, optimize freight, ensure documentation and maintain
  digital chain-of-custody
  .
• Monitor recycler SLAs (turnaround, quality acceptance) and resolve exceptions effectively.

6. Vendors, Compliance & Stakeholder Management

• Contract and govern transporters, O&M partners, and collection agents with bonus/penalty frameworks.
• Collaborate with product and tech teams for device uptime, ticketing, dashboards, and process automation.

7. Control Tower & Reporting

• Set up live dashboards covering collection point uptime, pick-ups, hub throughput, shrinkage, and safety metrics.
• Lead operational reviews, publish RCA and corrective action trackers to ensure continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 7–12 years of experience in
  high-density field operations
  (logistics/last-mile, FMCG RTM, waste/recycling, warehousing/device operations).
• Minimum 3 years of proven experience in
  building teams from zero to scale
  .
• Strong expertise in vendor contracting, governance, and cost optimization.
• Data-driven operator, proficient in Excel/Sheets (PowerBI/Tableau a plus).
• Familiarity with routing tools, ticketing systems, and operational dashboards.
• Proficiency in
  Malayalam
  is a strong advantage.

Core Competencies

• Ownership mindset
  with a strong bias for action, high standards, and frugal execution.
• Structured problem-solver
  with the ability to simplify complexity and resolve conflicts.
• Hands-on field leadership
  , comfortable with early starts, 6-day work weeks, and intra-state travel.
• Crisp communication
  and ability to influence stakeholders across teams and vendors.

Why Join Us?

This is a rare opportunity to build and lead a
state-wide sustainability initiative
from scratch—impacting communities, driving environmental outcomes, and shaping the future of the
circular economy in India
. If you thrive in unstructured environments, enjoy solving complex operational problems, and want to create large-scale impact, this role is for you.