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Chief Operating Officer (COO) Santa Clara, California at Olyns Inc.

Olyns Inc. No longer available

Job Description

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Olyns will be responsible for designing, implementing, and leading our strategic and tactical operations. You will oversee all aspects of Olyns Cube field operations, new Cube deployments, recycling processing plant operations, customer service for both B2B customers and B2C users, and regulatory compliance. The ideal candidate is a seasoned operator with a proven track record in scaling complex organizations, driving cross-functional teams, and ensuring operational excellence in a regulated environment.

Who we are

Every year 67 million tonnes of plastic is thrown away and never recycled. It's landfilled, it's incinerated and it pollutes our oceans. Why?

At Olyns, we're creating a new paradigm for recycling by combining the act of recycling with the requirements of sustainability marketing. By leveraging what the Boston Consulting Group recently called the $100B opportunity in retail media, we're providing value for all stakeholders:

  • Consumers get the convenience, incentives and paths to action that they want.
  • Brands get a media channel to align their sustainability message with the action of recycling at a valuable point of sale.
  • Retailers get increased customer visits and spend.
  • Our planet gets a break from the tons of plastic that would otherwise pollute our environment.

We're venture funded and looking for talented and passionate team members to help us change the face of recycling. If you're looking for a mission rather than just a job, we want to meet you.

What you'll do

1. Field Operations of Olyns Cubes

  • Oversee deployment, maintenance, and performance optimization of Olyns Cubes in the field.
  • Develop operational processes to maximize uptime, minimize maintenance costs, and ensure consistent user experience.
  • Create and monitor KPIs to assess operational efficiency and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Build out and lead a world-class field operations team comprised of both full-time employees and partners spanning North America, EMEA, and Asia.

2. New Cube Deployments and Activations

  • Partner with cross-functional teams (Engineering, Product, Sales) to plan and execute new Cube rollouts.
  • Establish project timelines, resource allocation, and risk mitigation strategies to ensure on-time and on-budget activations.
  • Manage vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and oversee logistics for Cube deployment.

3. Recycling Processor Plant Operations

  • Direct the daily operations of Olyns' recycling processing plant, ensuring compliance with environmental and safety standards.
  • Define production targets, budget controls, and performance metrics to optimize throughput and reduce operational costs.
  • Implement lean manufacturing and process improvement methodologies to enhance efficiency and quality.

4. Customer Service (B2B & B2C)

  • Develop and lead a multi-channel customer support strategy for businesses and consumers, ensuring high satisfaction and retention rates.
  • Collaborate with the product and marketing teams to capture and analyze user feedback, translating insights into product or service enhancements.
  • Establish service-level agreements (SLAs) and performance metrics that support Olyns' brand promise of reliability and convenience.

5. Regulatory Compliance and Administration

  • Ensure Olyns adheres to all federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to waste management, recycling, and consumer products.
  • Develop and maintain compliance policies and procedures; work closely with legal teams, government bodies, and relevant regulatory agencies.
  • Lead internal audits and implement corrective actions to address compliance gaps.
Diversity

At Olyns, diversity is important to us. We are an equal opportunity employer and make employment decisions on the basis of merit and business needs.

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter detailing their relevant experience, leadership philosophy, and passion for sustainability to

Join Olyns in our mission to revolutionize the recycling industry - together, we can create a more sustainable future.

Typical senior pay: $206k for Chief Executives nationally

National salary averages
Expected senior-level
$206k
Entry
Mid
Senior
Expected

Balanced market

Many alternative paths available. Don't feel locked into any single offer.

Hiring leverage
Balanced
Wage leverage âš  Disconnect
Limited
Mobility
Good mobility
Durability
Mostly durable

Who this leverage applies to

Stronger for: Remote-capable workers
Weaker for: Entry-level candidates, Career switchers

Where to negotiate

Base salary
Sign-on bonus
Title / level
Remote flexibility
Scope & responsibility
Start date / PTO

Likely Possible Unlikely

Watch out for

Wage disconnect: Hiring is active but pay hasn't responded—negotiate on other terms.
26% self-employed: Traditional full-time roles may be scarcer.

Does this path compound?

Job Growth →
High churn
Growth, flat pay
🚀 Compound
Growth + pay upside
⚠️ Plateau
Limited growth
Specialize
Experts earn more
Pay Upside →
Stable but flat

Steady work, but limited growth in both jobs and pay.

+4%
10yr growth
26% work independently—freelance or consulting is viable.
A bachelor's degree is typically expected.
Typical: Bachelor's degree

Openings come from turnover, not new growth. Differentiate to advance.

Labor data: BLS 2024