Shredder Operator Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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.
Function: Operations
Title: Shredder Engineer
Approved By (Title):
Date: 8/1/2026
Location
Petersburg, VA
Purpose of Role
The Shredder Engineer applies mechanical and industrial engineering principles to design, analyze, optimize, and improve shredder systems and supporting equipment. The primary purpose of the role is to maximize equipment performance, system reliability, safety, throughput, and operating efficiency through engineering analysis, process optimization, asset lifecycle management, reliability improvement initiatives, and capital project execution. This role serves as the technical expert supporting shredder operations and maintenance activities while ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
Reporting to
Regional Facilities Manager
Principal Accountabilities

• Lead all department operations including shredding, maintenance, plant coordination, and logistics
• Own plant safety performance; ensure compliance with OSHA, MSHA (where applicable), EPA, and company safety standards
• Drive operational efficiency through proactive maintenance planning, equipment reliability, and process optimization
• Manage plant budgets, operating costs, and capital projects; ensure financial targets are met or exceeded
• Lead, develop, and train personnel including supervisors
• Ensure environmental compliance, including stormwater, air permits, residue disposal, and spill prevention
• Oversee vendor relationships, contract services, and equipment suppliers
• Partner with Commercial, Purchasing, and Logistics teams to align production with inbound and outbound material flows
• Implement and sustain continuous improvement, lean initiatives, and root cause problem-solving
• Study shredder operations to maximize throughput, equipment utilization, and operating efficiency.
• Analyze throughput, power consumption, feed mix, and equipment constraints to identify optimization opportunities.
• Conduct bottleneck analysis and recommend engineering solutions to improve productivity.
• Apply lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies
• Serve as site leader during audits, inspections, and incident investigations

Key Performance Indicator (KPIs)

• Shredder uptime and overall equipment effectiveness
• MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures)
• MTTR (Mean Time to Repair)
• Energy consumption per ton processed
• Throughput volumes, shredder uptime, and operating cost per ton
• Maintenance cost vs. budget and unplanned downtime
• Operating cost per ton
• Environmental compliance metrics and audit results
• Employee engagement, retention, and training completion
• Quality of outbound products and customer satisfaction

Experience Required

• 7-10+ years of progressive experience in shredding, scrap metal processing, aggregates, mining, or heavy industrial operations
• Minimum 3-5 years in a plant manager or senior operations leadership role
• Minimum 3-5 years leading shredder, recycling, or heavy industrial operations and maintenance functions.
• Proven experience managing large industrial equipment (shredders, material handlers, conveyors, separation systems)
• Strong background in safety leadership and regulatory compliance
• Experience managing P&L, budgets, and capital expenditures
• Demonstrated success leading operational improvements and cross-functional teams

Skills

• Strong operational and mechanical aptitude
• Experience optimizing shredder performance through reliability, maintenance, and process improvement initiatives.
• Financial acumen with ability to analyze operating metrics and costs
• Leadership and people-development skills
• Root cause analysis and continuous improvement methodologies
• Strong planning, prioritization, and execution capabilities
• Effective communication across all organizational levels
• Proficient in CMMS systems and operational reporting tools

Core Competencies
Agility & Resilience: The capability to progress in an ambiguous, complex, and a constantly changing environment. Change management, inspire with purpose, leads by example, adopts a growth mindset. Is confident under pressure; Handles and manages crises effectively; Maintains a positive attitude despite adversity; bounces back from setbacks; grows from hardships and negative experiences.
Emotional Intelligence: The ability to perceive, use, understand, manage, and handle emotions.
Quality & Continuous Improvement: The ability and desire to consistently strive make existing processes or systems better in addition to an innovative mindset which involves bringing ideas to life and delivers work to a high-quality standard.
Work Execution, Productivity & Technical Skills: Works safely, effectively, and efficiently. Demonstrates the knowledge, skills and expertise required to perform the job and is able to apply it in their day-to-day duties.
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 prioritizes employee wellbeing, offering superior benefits packages, meaningful training opportunities, and a supportive atmosphere where employees feel valued and heard at all levels of the organization. Sims maintains a strong focus on safety, where individuals are encouraged to challenge themselves, contribute, and support one another, in a collaborative team environment.