Senior Route Optimization Analyst

Position Summary The Senior Route Optimization Analyst is a high-impact individual contributor reporting to the Logistics Manager. This role leads complex, large-scale route optimization projects across Athens Services' municipal service areas in the greater Los Angeles region, leveraging advanced GIS capabilities and deep logistics domain expertise. The Senior Analyst serves as the department's subject matter expert on spatial analysis and route design methodology across all lines of business, mentoring junior analysts and driving continuous improvement in routing practices. This position is based at a centralized office location with regular travel to division sites for project execution, field validation, and stakeholder coordination. Essential Responsibilities Advanced Route Design & Optimization Lead end-to-end route optimization projects across all lines of business — residential collection, commercial front-load, roll-off, back yard service (BYS), street sweeping, and equipment delivery — including reroutes, rebalancing, new contract implementations, and service area redesigns. Develop dynamic routing strategies for on-demand service lines (roll-off delivery/pickup, bin/cart equipment replacement) that generate optimized daily route plans based on incoming work orders. Design and optimize multi-vehicle coordinated routing for operations requiring sequenced vehicle timing, including scout operations (staging equipment ahead of main collection vehicles to eliminate wait time) and Back Yard Service (BYS) operations (coordinating smaller service trucks with centralized mother truck staging locations to maximize fleet productivity). Apply advanced GIS and spatial analysis techniques (network analysis, service territory optimization, drive-time modeling) to design routes that minimize cost and maximize service quality. Develop and refine route optimization methodologies and standard operating procedures for the Logistics department. Build and maintain route models using RouteSmart, Descartes, or comparable optimization platforms, incorporating constraints such as vehicle capacity, disposal locations, labor rules, and municipal contract requirements. Lead service expansion projects (e.g., increasing collection days), barrel conversion deployments (2-stream to 3-stream, SB 1383 compliance), and disposal site change reroutes requiring load consolidation analysis and municipal coordination. Oversee implementation of route changes into Soft-Pak (system of record) and MobilePak (driver tablets), ensuring data accuracy and driver-ready outputs. Evaluate and recommend routing technology enhancements, new tools, and process improvements. Project Leadership Manage multiple concurrent route optimization projects across different divisions and lines of business (residential, commercial, roll-off, organics). Develop project plans with timelines, milestones, and resource requirements for route builds, reroutes, and service deployments. Coordinate cross-functional project execution with operations, finance, billing, outreach, and IT teams. Manage project timelines, milestones, task assignments, and status reporting using project management platforms (Monday.com or similar) to ensure transparency and accountability across concurrent initiatives. Present project findings, recommendations, and ROI analyses to senior leadership and division management. Analytics & Performance Management Design and maintain KPI frameworks to measure route efficiency, productivity, and service quality across all divisions. Perform advanced data analysis on operational metrics (stops, lifts, tons, yards, miles, disposal trips, time-at-customer, shift duration) to identify trends and improvement opportunities. Build dashboards and reporting tools using Tableau, Power BI, or similar platforms to provide ongoing visibility into route performance. Conduct cost-benefit analyses for proposed route changes, fleet adjustments, and service area modifications. Mentoring & Knowledge Transfer Serve as technical mentor to other Logistics Analysts on GIS tools, route optimization software, and analytical methods. Develop training materials and best practices documentation for routing systems and processes. Support the onboarding of new team members by providing hands-on training in Athens-specific systems and workflows.

Required Qualifications Experience:

5+ years of experience in route optimization, GIS analysis, logistics planning, or transportation operations, with demonstrated experience leading complex projects.

Education:

Bachelor's degree in GIS, Geography, Urban Planning, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a related field.

GIS Expertise:

Advanced proficiency in ArcGIS or QGIS including spatial analysis, network analysis, geocoding, geoprocessing, and cartographic design.

Route Optimization:

Proven experience designing and implementing collection or delivery routes using RouteSmart, Descartes, Roadnet, or comparable optimization platforms.

Data & Analytics:

Advanced Excel skills; experience building dashboards and reports in Tableau, Power BI, or similar tools. SQL proficiency for database querying.

Project Management:

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with competing deadlines and cross-functional stakeholders.

Communication:

Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to present complex technical analyses to executive leadership and non-technical operations teams.

Driver's License:

Valid Class C Driver's License with acceptable driving record. Preferred Qualifications Direct experience in waste management, solid waste collection, or environmental services operations. Experience with waste management ERP systems (Soft-Pak, Routeware, or similar). Proficiency with GPS/telematics platforms (Samsara, Verizon Connect, or similar) for establishing route baselines, monitoring post-optimization route adherence, and analyzing operational performance trends. Experience leveraging on-vehicle camera systems (Samsara, 3rd Eye, Waste Vision, or similar) for stop-level service verification, pickup location documentation, and time study analysis of equipment service durations. Knowledge of California municipal contract requirements, SB 1383 compliance, and franchise agreement obligations. Experience with parcel-level data audits, account reconciliation, and desktop audit methodologies. Experience with Python or R for geospatial data automation and analysis. GISP certification or equivalent professional credential. Experience mentoring or training technical staff. Physical and Environmental Demands Frequent sitting and use of computer-based tools and GIS software for extended periods. Occasional standing, walking, and travel to division site locations for field observations and meetings. Occasional exposure to environmental factors such as noise, dust, or outdoor weather conditions during site visits. Capability to perform the physical requirements of the role with or without reasonable accommodations.

Pay:

$85,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person