CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

The D C Central Kitchen Inc•Washington, DC

14h•Onsite

About The Position

DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) is an iconic nonprofit and social enterprise that combats hunger and poverty through job training and job creation. Our approach provides hands-on culinary job training while creating living-wage jobs and bringing nutritious, dignified food where it is most needed in our city. We serve scratch-cooked farm-to-school meals in DC schools; deliver fresh, affordable produce to corner stores in neighborhoods without supermarkets; provide delicious catering; and operate healthy cafes that double as job training venues. Above all else, we are committed to creating a more just, equitable, and inclusive community, both outside our doors and right here on our team. We strive to offer a safe environment to learn, discover, and develop individual strengths while pursuing meaningful career pathways. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we recognize and work to address the lasting effects of historic injustices and systemic racism, and we strongly encourage people of color, women, LGBTQ people, returning citizens, and people who have experienced poverty or homelessness to apply to join our team. The Operations team works to ensure efficient and smooth operations across all meal production, meal distribution, and social enterprise activities. This team comprises four critical departments – Culinary Operations, Contract Meals and Nutrition, Cafes and Retail Sales, and Transportation – that carefully coordinate and sync efforts to ensure that DC Central Kitchen delivers quality meals in a timely manner with high customer satisfaction. This team upholds DCCK’s mission and supports the hiring and career development of Culinary Job Training program (CJT) graduates. DC Central Kitchen is a nationally recognized social enterprise operating at the intersection of nonprofit impact and hospitality. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will play a critical role in strengthening and scaling a complex, multi-vertical operation while ensuring sustainability, efficiency, and mission alignment. The COO will lead core operational areas, including Culinary Operations, Transportation and Logistics, Contract Meals and Nutrition, which includes the Healthy School Food and Community Meals programs, as well as Cafés and Retail Operations. This leader will assess systems holistically and implement processes supported by effective technology and AI-enabled tools to drive consistency, efficiency, and scale. The ideal candidate brings a strong operations background, potentially from supply chain, logistics, hospitality, or other adjacent industries, with a demonstrated ability to translate processes into scalable systems and lead across functions. They will build integrated workflows that support performance, employee engagement, and a strong, inclusive culture. They will also demonstrate a commitment to creating clear career pathways for staff, particularly for individuals from historically marginalized communities, including many graduates of our Culinary Job Training (CJT) program. The COO is responsible for strategy, execution, business growth, and leadership development, including oversight of day-to-day operations, leadership of senior team members, and partnership with the CEO and Executive Team. This role also plays a key part in advancing culture, engagement, and equitable workforce development. To support this work, the COO will partner closely with the Chief Impact Officer to ensure a coordinated approach to integrating CJT graduates into operations and advancing their long-term success.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations, supply chain, logistics, hospitality, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-functional operations and improving performance through systems, process design, and operational discipline
Proven track record of leading and developing leaders and building high-performing, accountable teams
Demonstrated ability to lead effectively in a diverse, mission-driven environment, with a commitment to equity, inclusion, and respect for the communities served
Highly effective in balancing mission and operations, and ensuring strong business performance while advancing workforce development goals
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence, build trust, and collaborate across all levels of the organization
Strong strategic and systems thinking, with the ability to translate priorities into scalable, sustainable solutions
Strong financial acumen, including experience managing budgets and understanding the operational drivers of financial performance
Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment, with sound judgment and strong prioritization skills
Demonstrated experience leveraging technology, software systems, and AI-enabled tools to improve operations, enhance efficiency, and support data-driven decision-making
High level of professionalism, integrity, and accountability
Pre-employment drug screen and background check are required.

Responsibilities

Provide enterprise-level leadership across all operational verticals, ensuring alignment, integration, and efficiency across Culinary Operations, Materials Management, Transportation, School Food Services, and Cafés and Retail Operations.
Lead and develop a high-performing team of leaders and promote a culture of accountability, engagement, and strong execution across departments.
Foster an inclusive and high-performing workplace that strengthens engagement and retention, while ensuring all employees have access to meaningful growth and advancement opportunities, including graduates of the Culinary Job Training (CJT) program.
Collaborate closely with the C-Suite to align organizational strategy, growth initiatives, and operational priorities, translating them into clear, actionable plans with defined performance metrics and accountability structures.
Build and strengthen operational infrastructure by leveraging technology, software systems, and AI-enabled tools to ensure processes are clearly defined, consistently executed, and standardized where appropriate.
Evaluate, implement, and optimize technology solutions, including AI and automation tools, to enhance operational effectiveness.
Ensure all systems support data-driven decision-making, streamline workflows, and improve cross-functional coordination and performance tracking, while being effectively implemented to drive efficiency, scalability, and real-time visibility into operations.
Support the expansion of programs and services by developing scalable operating models that enable growth without compromising quality or mission alignment.
Collaborate with Finance to develop, manage, and monitor departmental budgets, ensuring financial discipline and alignment with operational goals.
Partner with internal stakeholders, including Programs, Development and Communications, Volunteer Engagement, and Human Resources, to ensure operations effectively support program delivery and community impact.
Strengthen coordination across functions such as procurement, facilities, and logistics to ensure seamless execution across the organization.
Continuously evaluate operational performance and implement improvements that enhance efficiency, service delivery, and overall effectiveness.
Perform other duties as needed to support the mission, vision, and values of DC Central Kitchen