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Operations Management Trainee

Date:  Feb 10, 2026
Location: 

Richmond, CA, US, 94804

Company:  simsmetalm
Req ID:  6243
Salary Range:  70000 - 75000

Sims Metal (Sims) is a global leader in metal recycling. With facilities across the globe, Sims plays an intrinsic role in the circular economy by making resources available for future use. As a responsible corporate citizen, we continuously seek new ways to broaden our participation in the environmental sector, ensuring that our future is as bright, safe, and secure as at any time in our long history.

Discover a career at Sims Metal (SM), a global leader in metal recycling. We buy and process ferrous and non-ferrous metal, and we sell recycled metal to manufacturers in 30 countries. Cultivating the industry’s most talented professionals with more than 80 locations in the United States, we recognize our continued growth and success will be achieved by recruiting and developing, skilled people just like you. As innovators in the industry, we take great pride in our recycling infrastructure, and we invest heavily in our operations, our functions, and most importantly, our people. Our commitment to growth and sustainability means we are constantly seeking motivated, results-driven, and creative individuals to join our stellar team of professionals.

Trainee Program

Our Operations team is growing, and we want to add new team members who are determined, creative, and collaborative to ensure our continued success. As a Management Trainee, you will be enrolled in a one-year paid program that will prepare you to manage a front-line team within our North American operation. This includes leading employees and managing operations at one of our many facilities.

This program gives you the opportunity to receive field-based training and shadow a team of seasoned experts from our Operations, Commercial, and Support functions. You will also receive comprehensive leadership training and professional development that will bring you more visibility and engagement with leaders from other programs across our global operations. Travel within the Region (Northern California and Nevada) will be required. Occasional travel to other US locations may also be required.

Once the program concludes, you will be considered for a full-time role on the SM Operations team. SM is offering you the chance to build a rewarding and fulfilling career with a leading sustainability company and acquire transferable skills that you can use for the rest of your life! If you are good at what you do, you can work anywhere. If you are great at what you do, come work with us.

Upon completion of program, some of your daily responsibilities include:

  • Supervise production team members (laborers and equipment operators) performing production operations.
  • Possess thorough working knowledge of the union contract (if applicable), employee handbook, safety manuals, and all rules, programs, and procedures that pertain to production team members and apply them effectively and consistently.
  • Familiarize team members with company policies/rules/regulations.
  • Promote and maintain good employee relations through effective management practices, setting expectations, coaching, and proper application of employee relations policies.
  • Responsible for orientation and on-the-job training of team members in the safe, efficient operation of equipment.
  • Instill a sense of good housekeeping of their immediate work area in all employees as well as their responsibility for compliance with all quality specifications.
  • Evaluate probationary team members based on attendance, performance, attitude, potential, etc. Recommend candidates for hire, promotion, transfer, demotion, or termination.
  • Responsible for maintaining production within the assigned department at authorized levels.
  • Observe the production operation within your area of control to ascertain compliance with methods, quality standards, safety regulations, production standards, and efficient operation of equipment: take corrective action to eliminate any deviation.
  • Participate in conducting job hazard analyses and the development of safe work procedures.
  • Continuously analyze the assigned area of responsibility for improved methods of production, tool design communication, and reporting, cost controls and make recommendations to the production manager for disposition.
  • Clearly communicate on-the-job problems including low production, poor quality, poor attendance, tardiness, etc. to employees and works with employees to develop a corrective action plan.
  • Documents problems and reviews action plans with manager.
  • Arrange for proper maintenance of machines and equipment. Recommend improvements in equipment and processes.
  • When applicable, study operations where cost standards are not being met to determine causes and implement corrective action.
  • Where appropriate, coordinate the functions over which assigned with those of other departments or shifts.
  • Develop among the assigned team members a consciousness of the need for teamwork to attain departmental and SMM goals and objectives.
  • Support and carry out the management philosophy and vision.
  • Conducts meetings (i.e. safety and quality) and is responsible for communicating policies and regulations to subordinate personnel.
  • In case of an emergency, direct team members to their assigned safe area.
  • Promote plant-wide teamwork and positive morale.

To learn more about SM and our career opportunities, visit www.simsmm.com/careers

SIMS LIMITED IS PROUD TO BE AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. WE VALUE THE DIVERSITY OF ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND ARE COMMITTED TO CREATING AN INCLUSIVE WORKING ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERYONE CAN CONTRIBUTE, ADVANCE ON MERIT, AND REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. SIMS LIMITED IS AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. THE COMPANY DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE WITH REGARD TO RACE, SEX, RELIGION, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN, CITIZENSHIP STATUS, DISABILITY, AGE, MARITAL OR FAMILIAL STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, GENDER EXPRESSION, VETERAN STATUS, HOUSING STATUS, SOURCE OF INCOME, OR ANY OTHER STATUS PROTECTED BY FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL LAWS. THIS APPLIES TO ANY EMPLOYMENT DECISION, INCLUDING RECRUITING, HIRING, PLACEMENT, PROMOTION, TERMINATION, LAYOFF, RECALL, TRANSFER, LEAVES OF ABSENCE, COMPENSATION, AND TRAINING. QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WITH A DISABILITY IN NEED OF A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION MAY REQUEST SUCH WITHOUT FEAR OF REPRISAL OR DISCRIMINATION.

Job Types: Full-time

Salary: $75,000.00 per year

Education: Bachelor’s Degree preferred

Benefits:

  • Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage
  • 401(k)
  • Paid Time Off
  • Life Insurance
  • Many other voluntary benefits

Experience level:

  • No experience required
  • Experience in an industrial environment preferred

Environment:

  • This job includes working in an outdoor industrial environment which can at times be dusty, dirty, and loud. This includes working at times in inclement weather.
  • PPE required
  • Ability to lift 50 lbs

A career with Sims provides you with the opportunity to work with an organization whose goal is to be the world’s safest and most responsible recycling company. Our people achieve this by creating a zero-harm workplace, being exemplary members of the communities in which we operate, and being responsible stewards of the environment. We also offer competitive pay and a range of attractive benefits.

Sims is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value the diversity of all of our employees and are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where everyone can contribute, advance on merit, and realize their full potential. Sims does not discriminate with regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, citizenship status, disability, age, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, housing status, source of income, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. This applies to any employment decision, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.  qualified applicants with a disability in need of a reasonable accommodation may request such without fear of reprisal or discrimination. 

To achieve our purpose to create a world without waste to preserve our planet, we are guided by our Principles of Purpose: Be Safe + Well, Band Together, Be Accountable + Transparent, Consistently Innovate, Inspire with Purpose, Celebrate + Have Fun.

ALREADY AN EMPLOYEE?

Please apply through our Internal Career Site: Click here

Why Choose A Career with Sims?

Sims is a hub of innovation, offering employees the chance to explore new ideas and technologies while providing ample opportunities for personal and professional growth.

With a diverse workforce, Sims fosters a sense of belonging and inclusion where employees can thrive and establish lasting connections. Working at Sims offers the chance to engage with a global network, providing opportunities for travel, cross-cultural experiences, and the ability to contribute to a sustainable future. Sims is renowned as one of the world’s leading sustainable companies, empowering employees to make a difference in creating a world without waste to preserve the planet.

Sims prioritises employee wellbeing, offering superior benefits packages, meaningful training opportunities, and a supportive atmosphere where employees feel valued and heard at all levels of the organisation. Sims maintains a strong focus on safety, where individuals are encouraged to challenge themselves, contribute, and support one another, in a collaborative team environment.


Nearest Major Market: San Francisco
Nearest Secondary Market: Oakland

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