Chief Operations Officer

Job Summary

Are you ready to lead, shape and continuously improve an integrated operating system that advances a purpose-driven mission? You will provide executive leadership for food supply, warehouse operations, inventory, transportation, logistics, facilities, fleet readiness, production and disaster response coordination while developing operational leaders, managing resources and partnering across the organization to serve neighbors, partners and communities. What success looks like in the first 6-12 months includes establishing clear performance measures and operating reviews, strengthening coordination across operational functions, improving food availability and inventory health, advancing safety and service reliability, clarifying decision rights and developing collaborative relationships throughout the organization.
Success Measures (First 12-18 Months)
• A disciplined operating management system is established, including KPI dashboards, operating reviews, action plans and regular follow-up on
commitments.
• Food availability, inventory health, throughput and order fulfillment improve through clearer planning, process discipline and cross-functional
coordination.
• Warehouse, production, transportation, fleet and facility performance are measured through productivity, utilization, service level, safety and cost
indicators.
• The food supply portfolio is actively managed across purchased, donated, recovered and government commodity sources to support reliable service and
responsible stewardship.
• Budget performance, capacity planning, waste reduction and asset reliability show measurable improvement or clear action plans with executive
visibility.
• Operational leaders demonstrate stronger role clarity, accountability, coaching, discipline and follow-through on priorities.
• Decision rights, escalation paths and cross-functional handoffs are clarified and used consistently across Operations and the executive team.
• Has built strong collaborative relationships amongst their own team and across the organization.
Decision Rights
• Decides operational priorities, work plans, process standards, performance expectations and corrective actions for assigned Operations functions.
• Decides inventory, distribution, production, transportation, fleet, facility and logistics approaches within approved budgets, policies and risk parameters.
• Jointly decides food supply priorities, partner service commitments, major resource tradeoffs and cross-functional operating changes with the CEO, CFO
and appropriate executive leaders.
• Recommends annual budgets, staffing plans, capital needs and significant resource shifts using operational, financial and service data.
• Requires CEO approval for material changes to organizational structure, strategic direction, major capital commitments, policy exceptions or decisions
with significant legal, funding or reputation risk.• Owns disaster response coordination when assigned Incident Commander responsibilities apply and escalates issues that affect safety, continuity or
community response.
A Day in the Life

The essential functions described below represent the primary responsibilities of this role and may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.
Operational Strategy and Oversight:
• Build and run an integrated operating system that connects food flow, service, assets, people and performance across assigned operational functions.
• Translate organizational strategy into operational priorities, goals, work plans and operating cadences so execution is focused and visible.
• Own KPI development, operating reviews, action plans, productivity measures, throughput tracking and capacity planning so leaders manage
performance consistently.
• Oversee warehouse operations, inventory, distribution, transportation, logistics, facilities, fleet readiness and production so food moves safely, efficiently
and reliably.
• Clarify cross-functional handoffs with food sourcing, partner service, customer service, volunteer-related operations, protein production, safety and
program leaders so accountabilities are unmistakable.
• Monitor operational performance, risks, service outcomes and resource use so decisions are timely, transparent and grounded in data.
• Develop and maintain preventive maintenance and replacement plans all organizational equipment and assets to limit downtime.
Food Inventory, Production and Distribution:
• Provide executive accountability for the food supply portfolio, including purchased, donated, recovered and government commodity products, so
availability aligns with community need and operational capacity.
• Ensure precise ordering, receipt, storage and reporting of USDA commodities to maintain accurate records and comply with program requirements.
• Coordinate food purchasing, donated product flow, recovery opportunities and commodity planning with appropriate leaders so supply decisions support
service commitments.
• Plan kit production, rework, repacking and product allocation so available inventory matches partner demand, program needs and service priorities.
• Oversee inventory control so WMS and ERP records match physical inventory, product condition, allocation decisions and food availability.
• Ensure warehouse and production practices improve safety, quality, throughput, waste reduction and reliable order fulfillment.
Transportation, Logistics and Fleet Readiness:
• Oversee transportation and logistics operations to ensure driver and warehouse teams have clear direction.
• Maintain a safe work environment and ensure compliance with DOT, AIB and CFR regulations to mitigate operational risks.
• Coordinate scheduling and routing to effectively address the needs of partner agencies while ensuring reliable service and optimal resource
management.
• Monitor fleet utilization, driver readiness, routing efficiency and transportation service levels so delivery resources are used effectively.
Disaster Readiness and Response Coordination:
• Serve as Incident Commander during major disasters and follow ICS protocol to maintain organized response authority.
• Set disaster response direction through annual training and proactive planning so teams are ready to act.
• Oversee inventory, product ordering and special kitting for disaster response so critical supplies are available.
• Coordinate added logistics and staffing for disaster response so urgent operational needs are addressed.
• Use after-action reviews and operating data to improve readiness, resource planning and future response.
Cross-Functional Coordination, Compliance and External Support:
• Clarify operating handoffs with food sourcing, partner service, customer service, volunteer-related operations, production, safety and program leaders so
responsibilities are understood before execution begins.
• Direct cross-functional initiatives that improve service quality, access and consistent support.
• Contribute operational information for grants, outcomes tracking, storytelling and fundraising needs.
• Partner with finance and program leaders on aligned, well-managed budgets and resource plans.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, contractual, safety, food handling and transportation requirements.
• Escalate legal, policy, funding and reputation risks to the appropriate authority.
• Represent operational needs in internal planning and external partner discussions.
• Align Operations resources, logistics, inventory, transportation and service processes with Community Impact priorities so programs can reliably meet
neighbor and partner needs.
Staff Development and Workforce Planning:
• Increase mission delivery through clear expectations, role clarity and skill development within Operations.
• Maintain current job descriptions that reflect actual work, accountability and required competencies.
• Translate organizational values into daily behaviors, outcomes and performance expectations.
• Provide tools, guidance and feedback that enable employees to deliver consistent results.
• Identify growth potential and build capability through coaching and learning opportunities.
• Align goals across Operations teams to improve consistency, accountability and focus.
• Support workforce planning, succession planning and staffing recommendations for assigned operational functions.
• Ensure employees deliver respectful, inclusive and high-quality service to partners and neighbors.
Senior Leadership and Organizational Stewardship:

Oversee 40 to 60 staff members, including directors, managers and staff.
• Set departmental direction and priorities that advance the mission, sustainability, and consistent decision-making.
• Lead and hold directors and managers accountable for performance expectations, leadership standards and execution.
• Translate mission and strategy into measurable metrics, KPI's, goals, resource plans and change priorities.
• Monitor financial, operational and programmatic outcomes that affect effectiveness, risk and reputation.
• Collaborate with executive leaders and external partners to align priorities and resolve complex issues.
• Support governance, ethics and executive-level employee relations matters with the appropriate functional leaders.
• Use data insights to inform organizational strategy, planning, reporting and board-level recommendations.
• Establish and oversee operational budgets aligned with strategic goals and mission sustainability.
Other Duties as Assigned

Other duties, consistent with the scope and essential functions of the role, may be assigned as organizational needs evolve.

Required Qualifications
How you have spent your time:

• Demonstrated completion of a bachelor's degree in business administration, operations, supply chain, logistics, nonprofit management or a related field, or equivalent combination of education, training and relevant professional experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible senior leadership experience managing complex operations at meaningful scale, such as supply chain, manufacturing, distribution, food banking, logistics, facilities, production or adjacent operating environments.
• Experience leading managers or supervisors with responsibility for budgets, staffing, performance expectations and operational outcomes.
• Experience developing budgets, operating plans, process standards and resource recommendations using operational data.
• Experience overseeing compliance requirements related to safety, transportation, food handling, inventory or regulated operations.
• Experience coordinating across functional areas to support service delivery, risk management and operational continuity.
• Experience communicating operational information, recommendations and risks to senior leaders or governing bodies.

Other Requirements:

• Proficiency in common office applications (e.g. email, messaging, word processor, spreadsheet) and job-specific systems (e.g., financial, inventory, customer relationship management).
• Valid driver's license with a driving record that meets organizational standards.
• Ability to learn and adapt to new technologies.
• Ability to complete a background check, motor vehicle record review, drug screening and physical assessment as required for the role.
• Ability to participate in a rotating on-call schedule, occasional unscheduled issue response and role-related travel as needed.

Safety Sensitive Designation:

This position is classified as Safety Sensitive under Oklahoma law. Employees in safety-sensitive roles perform duties where even a momentary lapse in
concentration could result in injury to themselves, others or cause environmental harm. The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is not permitted to hire
applicants who hold a medical marijuana card for safety-sensitive positions, in compliance with state law.
PreferredQualifications
How you have spent your time:

• Experience or exposure to nonprofit food banking, human services or community-based operations.
• Familiarity with food safety, commodity programs, disaster response or transportation compliance frameworks.
• Experience supporting board-level reporting, policy advisory functions or executive decision-making.
• Experience using operational data to support process improvement, service planning or resource recommendations.
• Exposure to grant-funded programs, reimbursement models or external partner coordination.

Physical & Environmental Expectations

This role requires maintaining a stationary position for extended periods in office, field or vehicle settings and safely operating vehicles while monitoring surroundings and road conditions. Responsibilities may involve fine motor coordination, moving objects weighing up to 20 pounds occasionally and up to 10 pounds frequently, accessing work areas or vehicles with limited space, exchanging information in dynamic environments and maintaining concentration during complex tasks. Personal protective equipment may be required. Work occurs in office, field, industrial and vehicle environments with occasional exposure to outdoor weather, dust, chemicals, gases, fumes, smoke, noise and vibration. The role may require a rotating on-call schedule, occasional unscheduled issue response, adjusted hours during critical periods and isolated trips for meetings, training or assignments.
EEO & Accommodation Statement

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state laws, it is the policy of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application process and employment. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io.