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,productionand disaster response coordination while developing operational leaders, managing resources and partnering across the organization to serve neighbors,partnersand 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 ICSc 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.