Director of Food Bank Operations
hace 3 días
Rochester
Job DescriptionDescription: Director of Food Bank Operations Department: Food Bank Reports to: VP, Food Bank Status: Full time, Exempt Job Level: Grade #8 – Departmental Leadership Role Updated: December 2025 BACKGROUND Foodlink is seeking a strong, mission-driven leader to provide strategic oversight and coordination of Foodlink’s food bank operations. Our 70,000+ square foot warehouse distributes more than 25 million pounds of food annually to a network of more than 400 emergency food programs throughout our 10-county service area. The logistics of distributing food are complex, with many regulatory requirements, and must always be mission-oriented and community-centered. SUMMARY The Director of Food Bank Operations is a mission driven leader responsible for ensuring the efficient, safe, and accurate movement of products through Foodlink’s supply chain. This role oversees order fulfillment, shipping, receiving, and inventory management—ensuring partners receive exceptional service and that all food handling meets regulatory and organizational standards. They lead with The Foodlink Way and model our leadership core competencies— playing a critical role in operational strategy, cross departmental collaboration, and advancing Foodlink’s mission to end hunger and build healthier communities. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Leadership & Mission Alignment • Guide and inspire teams to fulfill Foodlink’s mission, ensuring daily operations reflect organizational values and a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging., • Embody The Foodlink Way by collaborating across teams, adapting to challenges, taking ownership of outcomes, and leading with compassion for staff, partners, and the community., • Act as a steward of Foodlink’s resources, making informed, mission aligned-decisions even amidst uncertainty., • Communicate clearly and effectively with diverse audiences, ensuring understanding across internal teams, partner agencies, and community stakeholders., • Provide strategic and hands-on- leadership for order fulfillment, shipping, receiving, and distribution operations., • Oversee receiving, product storage, inventory movement, order fulfillment, and delivery processes to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and safety., • Ensure compliance with AIB food safety regulations, Feeding America standards, OSHA requirements, and internal policies., • Directly supervise the Food Bank Logistics Manager and Food Bank Fulfillment Manager, effectively delegating and empowering them to achieve goals., • Provide clear, timely feedback and coaching to support the growth and development of team members., • Build trust by leading with empathy, accountability, and alignment with Foodlink values, policies, and practices., • Celebrate team wins and contributions, fostering a positive and collaborative culture., • Resolve conflict effectively and engage in difficult conversations with composure and emotional self-awareness-., • Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, reduce waste, and improve service levels., • Lead or support implementation of systems, equipment, or technologies that enhance operational efficiency and lower cost., • Encourage curiosity, continuous learning, and adaptability across the distribution center team., • Create and manage the annual operations budget, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and resource stewardship expectations., • Monitor monthly financial performance, analyze variances, and adjust operational plans as needed., • Ensure cost-effective use of labor, equipment, supplies, and contracted services., • Collaborate with Finance to support forecasting, grant reporting, and long-term financial planning., • Partner with Member Services, Procurement, Finance, Development, and Facilities to ensure seamless coordination and support for partners and community initiatives., • Support emergency food distribution efforts and community response operations as needed., • Communicate operational needs, constraints, and opportunities to leadership., • Lead with curiosity, seek feedback, and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning., • Take responsibility for decisions, outcomes, and continuous improvement., • Act with compassion in interactions with staff, partners, and community members., • Manage workload with intention, prioritizing personal well-being while maintaining high standards of excellence., • Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, logistics, business administration, or related field—or equivalent work experience., • 5+ years of progressive experience in operations, logistics, warehouse management, or supply chain roles., • 3+ years of leadership experience managing supervisors or managers., • Experience in nonprofit, food bank, or food distribution preferred., • Demonstrated success in operational planning, process improvement, and team leadership., • Strong understanding of warehouse operations, distribution, and inventory management., • Experience with budget creation, financial management, or departmental cost oversight., • Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills., • Experience with warehouse management systems (WMS), routing software, or ERP systems., • Experience managing fleet operations or working in CDL-regulated environments preferred., • Strong organizational and time-management skills with attention to details and accuracy., • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment., • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with social media platforms., • Flexible, adaptable, and able to manage changing priorities. SALARY AND BENEFITS This is a full time, exempt position ranging from $72,039 - $90,048 per year depending on experience. Foodlink covers 100% of individual health and dental insurance with the ability to acquire family coverage with pretax dollars. In addition to generous paid time off (PTO), we observe 14 paid holidays throughout the year. Opportunity to contribute to a 401k retirement savings plan upon hire. Eligible for generous employer match after 1 year of service. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand and talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to handle or feel items such as documents. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk for long periods of time. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus. Able to lift bulk objects or objects weighing up to 50 pounds. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all- inclusive. Employees will follow other instructions and perform other related duties as required. Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Foodlink is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. At Foodlink we believe that anti-hunger work is only possible with a commitment to removing barriers caused by systems of oppression that perpetuate hunger and poverty. We recognize that systematic injustice and bias disproportionately impact some identities more than others. ? Foodlink is actively working to center equity- the fair treatment of all people- in everything that we do so that everyone in our region has access to nourishing food that reflects and values cultural differences.? Foodlink is committed to listening and supporting solutions to hunger that are sourced from people and communities with lived/living experience of hunger and poverty, and to responding where inequities exist.? ? Foodlink is committed to taking great care to cultivate internal culture and practices that support diversity and inclusion. We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique. We aim to foster an environment in which everyone feels a sense of belonging and understands their connection to the Foodlink mission. ? Foodlink employees have a responsibility to always treat others with dignity and respect. Employees are expected to always exhibit conduct that reflects our values and promotes equity and inclusion during work, and at work functions. Requirements: