Chief Operating Officer

Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank•Akron, OH

14d•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Operating Officer is an executive leader at the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, responsible for warehouse and facility operations, transportation logistics, food sourcing, and program partnerships. Reporting to the President & CEO, the COO is a member of the Executive Leadership Team and formulates and executes strategy for multi-site operations, using data-driven measures to help meet programmatic, annual operating, and strategic goals. The role calls for expertise in stakeholder engagement, data analysis, operations, regulatory compliance, and team leadership, with a commitment to systemic change in hunger relief, cross-departmental collaboration, inclusion, and partnerships that expand the organization’s impact. The COO provides leadership and oversight for Network Partners and Programs, Operations, and Food Sourcing and Transportation. Responsibilities include operational stewardship, budgeting, procedures, supply-chain improvements, facility planning, technology systems, regulatory compliance, and representing the Foodbank with partners and stakeholders locally, statewide, and nationally. The position is typically performed in an office, with work also occurring in warehouses and community partner locations. Travel throughout the Foodbank’s eight-county service territory and elsewhere in Ohio and nationally is required, sometimes on short notice. The position may require work beyond normal working hours. The Foodbank describes its workplace as a diverse, inclusive environment grounded in compassion, collaboration, service, integrity, inclusion, and innovation. It offers competitive benefits and compensation, nine paid holidays, and a paid time off program that begins on the first day of employment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Six to eight years of substantial experience working with public agencies, diverse populations, compliance monitoring and evaluation, communications, information systems, and software used to assess program performance.
Ability to comply with applicable safety, food-handling, regulatory, and organizational requirements, including requirements of the American Institute of Baking, Feeding America, FDA, USDA, OSHA, and Foodbank procedures and employee handbook.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents, including financial and legal documents.
Ability to respond to inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, and community members.
Ability to present information effectively to senior management, public groups, and boards of directors.
Ability to work with mathematical concepts, analyze complex data, and use findings to support data-driven decisions.
Ability to solve practical problems in situations with limited standardization and interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or scheduled instructions.
Willingness and ability to travel for the organization, including on short notice.
Willingness to work beyond normal working hours when necessary.
Mandatory proficiency in Windows-based computer systems and network administration.
High initiative and self-direction in conducting research and analysis and executing strategies.
Strong leadership skills, including supervising, evaluating, and directing staff, volunteers, and interns.
Strong organization, consistently sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion in handling confidential information.
Established relationships with, or ability to cultivate relationships with, business, community, and foundation leaders, regional media, and government officials.
Commitment to the Foodbank’s mission and vision, effective action to end food insecurity and its causes, respect for the people it serves, and willingness to understand the drivers of food insecurity.
Positive, solution-oriented, can-do approach to supporting the organization.
Ability to interact effectively with people of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, with openness to differing opinions and views.
Ability to frequently sit, talk and/or hear, and use hands to handle objects, tools, or controls; occasionally stand and/or walk; and occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds.
Close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Foster a workplace culture aligned with the Foodbank’s core values, mentoring and guiding staff to strengthen the employee experience.
Ensure compliance with food safety, people safety, OSHA, DOT, TEFAP/CSFP, Feeding America contracts, applicable laws and regulations, and related audits.
Lead and oversee the people, processes, and activities of the Network Partners and Programs, Operations, and Food Sourcing and Transportation teams.
Promote cross-departmental collaboration and oversee time management, performance management, and project management.
Oversee Operations, including product receipts, storage and distribution, product handling and classification, inventory control, delivery, volunteer center activities, and facility management.
Oversee Food Sourcing and Transportation, including fleet activity and maintenance, DOT compliance, food and product purchasing, donor recruitment and retention, and the product sourcing plan.
Oversee Network Partners and Programs, including partner recruitment and retention, partner and Foodbank compliance, network training and education, Foodbank-led distribution programs, and the service area assessment and operational response plan.
Ensure appropriate resources, leadership, and internal controls for stewardship of inventory, warehouse and transportation equipment, electronic equipment, and facilities.
Oversee department budgets and collaborate with department leaders on annual budgets and financial plans aligned with strategic goals.
Oversee department standard operating procedures and ensure they are reviewed, revised, or developed in line with internal and external requirements.
Drive end-to-end supply-chain improvements across food acquisition, warehouse operations, distribution, disposal, inventory controls, transportation, and logistics.
Plan and execute facility management plans to support safe, continuous operations, and oversee capital improvements and construction projects.
Collaborate with IT on systems affecting functional areas, including warehouse management, appointment scheduling, GPS, and neighbor intake platforms; oversee systems administration and continuous improvement to support data integrity and operational efficiency.
Build relationships and partnerships with community leaders, donors, government officials, internal leaders, and board members to advance the Foodbank’s mission.
Travel within the eight-county service area, Ohio, and nationally as directed by the President & CEO to represent the Foodbank with stakeholders.
Represent the Foodbank with Feeding America, including serving on national committees.
Monitor trends in charitable food, nonprofit, corporate, agriculture, grocery, manufacturing, and government sectors, including legislation affecting the Foodbank and people it serves.
Perform other duties as assigned.