Director of Food Bank Operations

Foodlink Inc • City of Rochester, NY

20d • $72,039 - $90,048

About The Position

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. 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.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Commitment to Foodlink’s mission, leadership core competencies, and The Foodlink Way values.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in nonprofit, food bank, or food distribution preferred.
• Experience with warehouse management systems (WMS), routing software, or ERP systems.
• Experience managing fleet operations or working in CDL-regulated environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Demonstrate strong systems thinking, challenge the status quo, and identify future opportunities to improve operations.
• 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.
• Monitor operational KPIs and use data to drive continuous improvement and decision-making-.
• 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-.
• Promote a healthy, sustainable workload for self and others.
• 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.
• Use data, feedback, and frontline insights to inform improvements and future planning.
• 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.
• Make operational decisions that balance efficiency, service quality, and financial responsibility.
• 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.
• Model team first- collaboration by working across departments to solve problems and advance shared goals.
• 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.
• Pursue excellence and hold self and others accountable for results.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees