Director of Operations

Food Bank of Central New York • Syracuse, NY

1h • $90,000 - $111,000

About The Position

Reporting to the Chief Operations Officer, the Director of Operations provides leadership and strategic direction for all operational functions that support the distribution of food and resources across the emergency food network. This role ensures that all Operations departments function safely, efficiently, and in alignment with organizational standards for food safety, regulatory compliance, and service reliability. The Director is expected to maintain a high level of accuracy and service. The Director of Operations coordinates cross-department operations, develops management capacity, and ensures consistent implementation of operational systems that support the mission of Food Bank of Central New York to provide nutritious food to people in need while addressing the root causes of hunger.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Management, Logistics/Supply Chain, Business Administration, Industrial Management, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience (see Experience Requirements Below).
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in operations, warehouse management, fleet management logistics, regulated food environments, OSHA safety programs, and/or continuous improvement processes.
• Minimum of 3 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Experience managing budgets, operational metrics, and process improvement initiatives.
• Experience with warehouse management systems (WMS) or logistics software.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate operational procedures.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication skills across diverse teams and functions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and inventory management software.
• Commitment to the mission and values of Food Bank of Central New York.

Nice To Haves

• Food safety certification preferred.
• OSHA safety training or certification preferred.
• Experience in nonprofit, food banking, or regulated food environments a plus.
• Bi-or multi-lingual as plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, and lead the day-to-day operations in assigned operational departments, ensuring alignment with mission and priorities. Current assigned departments are: warehouse, transportation, food rescue, and facility operations.
• Exercise sound judgment and independent decision-making within scope of responsibility, while escalating issues appropriately.
• Promote and model leadership that supports Food Bank of Central New York’s values and strategic direction.
• Collaborate effectively with other departments and leadership to support cross-functional initiatives and organization-wide goals.
• Ensure consistent execution of operational procedures.
• Monitor overall operational performance and throughput and address operational bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
• Maintain awareness of budgetary impact, resource needs, and compliance requirements relevant to their teams and grants.
• Participate in leadership meetings and contribute to organizational planning, policy updates, and performance improvement efforts.
• Provide direct supervision, coaching, and support to assigned staff, including regular one-on-one meetings, performance evaluations, professional development planning, team compliance with policies and procedures, and conflict management.
• Monitor departmental performance indicators.
• Support managers in resolving operational challenges.
• Ensure managers maintain appropriate safety and sanitation standards.
• Reinforce accountability and consistent management practices.
• Ensure operational activities are conducted in a safe manner consistent with organizational policies and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee safety practices in all operational areas.
• Review incident reports and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Coordinate safety training and communication.
• Support development and maintenance of safety policies and procedures
• Monitor trends related to equipment damage, injuries, and near misses.
• Support organizational compliance with food safety and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure operational departments follow food safety procedures.
• Monitor sanitation and facility standards.
• Ensure that all operational areas are ready for inspections and that corrective actions are completed.
• Coordinate with staff responsible for documentation and compliance tracking.
• Continuously improve operational efficiency and reliability across assigned departments.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflows and coordination.
• Implement standardized operational procedures where needed.
• Support data collection related to operational performance.

Benefits

• Eligible for Full Time Employee benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance, 12 paid Holidays, 1 Floating Holiday, generous PTO, administered 401(k) after 1 month with employer match after 1 year, $100 annual boot credit, eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program for federal college loans, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees