CHRISTOPHER K. BELL
Sandy,UT
Summary
Dynamic leader with a proven track record in the solid waste and recycling industry driving sustainability initiatives and managing a $25 million budget. Expert in process management and safety leadership, achieving operational excellence through strong employee engagement and fiscal discipline, and aligning diverse stakeholders around common goals.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
DIRECTOR, WASTE & RECYCLING DIVISION
Salt Lake City Corporation - Appointed Position
Salt Lake City, UT
01.2020 - 04.2026
- Managed $25 million annual budget for operational division of sustainability department, servicing approximately 42,000 properties.
- Achieved operational budget adherence and strong safety record since fiscal year 2020.
- Mayor's designee for managing City interests in Salt Lake Valley Solid Waste Management Facility.
- Collaborated with County staff and City engineers to develop Facility budget and implement strategic initiatives.
- Cultivated strong relationships with elected leaders and constituents by responding promptly to inquiries or complaints.
- Managed budgeting and financial planning processes for the organization.
- Promoted an inclusive culture of safety and innovation encouraging staff to contribute ideas.
- Implemented immediate process changes to ensure team safety and service continuity throughout pandemic.
- Led organizational restructuring to enhance growth and optimize human capital.
- Drove cost reductions by improving contractual processes with recycling processor and enhancing plastics recovery.
- Fostered partnerships with local organizations to enhance community development initiatives.
- Initiated project with solutions provider to explore smart cities technology for cross-departmental efficiency.
- Collaborated with HR to address equipment operator shortages through targeted recruitment efforts.
- Effectively managed crisis situations to minimize impact on staff and operations.
- Key contributor to 2020 windstorm recovery team, managing contractor to achieve over 50% landfill diversion rate on debris.
- Served on Unified Command of City Emergency Coordination Center.
REGIONAL SALES & BROKERAGE MANAGER
Smurfit Kappa North America Recycling
Mesquite, TX
12.2017 - 11.2019
- P & L responsibility for all recovered fiber purchasing through 7 US recycling plants and regional brokerage business. Scope: $37MM annual revenue, 405M tons volume.
- Achieved 2018 EBITDA and volume targets, contributing to overall financial performance.
- Surpassed 2017 EBITDA target by 16%, enhancing profitability.
REGIONAL OPERATIONS MANAGER
Smurfit Kappa North America Recycling
Mesquite, TX
10.2016 - 11.2017
- P & L responsibility for operations of 7 US recycling plants, including transportation, safety & compliance. Scope: $26MM annual revenue, 212M tons volume.
- Exceeded 2016 EBITDA goal by 19%.
- Participated in SAP conversion project team, facilitating operational streamlining and integration.
SALES REPRESENTATIVE - Southwest US | Latin America
International Paper - Recycling
Denver, CO
06.2013 - 08.2016
- Managed recovered fiber sales across IPR's three commercial channels to third-party customers and IP internal mill system, overseeing $49MM revenue and 240M tons volume.
- Achieved 10% year-over-year growth in 2016 with largest third-party customer.
- Key contributor to Brokerage group exceeding 2015 Enterprise Value goal by 181%.
- Closed back-to-back sales contracts supporting key National Accounts suppliers.
- Converted strategic Latin American customers to direct sales within first 6 months, expanding market reach and increasing sales potential.
BROKERAGE REPRESENTATIVE - Southwest, Northwest US | Western Canada
International Paper - Recycling
Salt Lake City, UT
08.2008 - 05.2013
- Built and maintained supply of recovered fiber from diverse generator base across large geographic territory for direct mill shipment, achieving $709M margin and 114M tons volume for third-party customers and internal mill system.
- Exceeded annual goals by over 100% consistently.
- Received Key Driver Award in 2012 for contributions to Pacific Northwest internal mill supply team.
- Recognized with Chairman's Award in 2011 for outstanding achievements in National Accounts dual role.
RECYCLING REPRESENTATIVE - Salt Lake City
International Paper (Weyerhaeuser Company) - Recycling
Salt Lake City, Utah
09.2001 - 07.2008
- Profitably secure recovered fiber using innovative value propositions aligned with plant goals and capabilities. Implement equipment placement strategies that enhance value and create competitive barriers to entry.
Education
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - BUSINESS
University of Colorado
Boulder, CO05-1993
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS -
Colorado Mountain College
Steamboat Springs, CO05-1990
Skills
- SAFETY LEADERSHIP
- INTEGRITY AND ETHICS
- CUSTOMER FOCUS
- RESULTS DRIVEN
- RESILIENCE
- STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
- POLITICAL SAVVY
- BUSINESS ACUMEN
- PROCESS MANAGEMENT
- SUSTAINABILITY
- CIRCULARITY
Certification
- DHS FEMA ICS 100, 200, 300, 400 Course Completions
Accomplishments
- International Paper Key Driver Award, 2012 – Pacific Northwest internal mill supply team
- International Paper Chairman’s Award, 2011 – Developmental dual role, National Accounts
Timeline
DIRECTOR, WASTE & RECYCLING DIVISION
Salt Lake City Corporation - Appointed Position
01.2020 - 04.2026
REGIONAL SALES & BROKERAGE MANAGER
Smurfit Kappa North America Recycling
12.2017 - 11.2019
REGIONAL OPERATIONS MANAGER
Smurfit Kappa North America Recycling
10.2016 - 11.2017
SALES REPRESENTATIVE - Southwest US | Latin America
International Paper - Recycling
06.2013 - 08.2016
BROKERAGE REPRESENTATIVE - Southwest, Northwest US | Western Canada
International Paper - Recycling
08.2008 - 05.2013
RECYCLING REPRESENTATIVE - Salt Lake City
International Paper (Weyerhaeuser Company) - Recycling
09.2001 - 07.2008
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - BUSINESS
University of Colorado
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS -
Colorado Mountain College