Director, Operations

Second Harvest Food Bank•Nashville, TN

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee is seeking a full-time Director, Operations to join their Operations Department. For nearly 50 years, Second Harvest has been dedicated to nourishing and empowering their neighbors through sustainable solutions to food insecurity, serving over 600 partners across 46 counties. This role is crucial for ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient day-to-day execution of operations and for developing the people, processes, and systems needed to support organizational goals and community needs. The Director will foster a culture of inclusion, belonging, accountability, and respect while modeling the organization's mission and values.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business or logistics preferred.
7-10 years of Operations Management experience within warehouse and logistics environment.
Food industry experience desirable.
Multi-site experience preferred.
Ability to organize, coordinate, and direct projects and operational priorities.
Ability to hire, train, coach, and effectively manage performance across a team of salaried exempt, salaried nonexempt and hourly employees.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in both oral and written form with leaders, staff, partners, vendors, and other stakeholders.
Strong vendor, negotiation, and third-party management skills.
Ability to use data, KPIs, and operational systems to identify opportunities, solve problems, and improve performance.
Ability to build strong cross-functional partnerships and leverage shared resources to achieve organizational goals.
Ability to develop, and sustain, a culture that aligns with the values of a mission-driven organization, creating a space for employees to grow, develop and provide feedback to improve their day-to-day work.
Acceptable results from professional reference feedback, criminal background check, and Motor Vehicle Record.
Current Driver’s License and automobile insurance are also required.

Nice To Haves

Food industry experience desirable.
Multi-site experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Directs, supervises, and manages warehousing and distribution operations including receiving, storage, order fulfillment and distribution, inventory control, quality control, and facilities maintenance at all Food Bank locations.
Partners closely with the Vice President of Operations & Logistics and peer leaders in Transportation, Food Resourcing, and Manufacturing/Food Safety to align priorities, capacity, and day-to-day execution.
Builds strong cross-functional relationships with Agency Program and Services, Technology, Finance, External Affairs, and other teams; leverages organizational resources and maintains effective relationships with vendors and service providers.
Provides effective inventory management and quality control to ensure inventory accuracy, maximize warehouse utilization, and maintain appropriate cycle count and inventory control processes at all facilities.
Reviews and improves processes, workflows, systems, and operating practices to support safe and efficient receiving, storage, inventory control, order fulfillment, and movement of product.
Implements and maintains operating standards that support effective utilization of Food Bank facilities and equipment and ensure work environments are functional, safe, and well maintained.
Develops and maintains an effective equipment repair, facility repair, warehouse, and maintenance management program to support Food Bank operations.
Develops and manages the annual Operations budget in partnership with the Vice President of Operations & Logistics and Finance; monitors operating costs, maintenance needs, vendor performance, and resource utilization.
Serves as Deputy Food Safety Officer of the Food Safety Committee and provides direct oversight within Operations for all food safety activities including procedure development, training programs and monitoring activities supporting food bank activities.
Provides leadership for safety within Operations and works with Human Resources and other leaders to support organizational safety programs and the Safety Committee.
Ensures operational activities comply with applicable laws, regulations, safety requirements, Feeding America standards, food safety requirements, and organizational policies.
Develops staff and future leaders through coaching, mentoring, clear expectations, feedback, on-the-job experience, and appropriate training.
Supports operational readiness for the new campus, including workflow, equipment, storage, and transition planning, as requested by the Vice President of Operations & Logistics.
Provides direct leadership and supervisory oversight to warehouse, inventory/quality control, and facilities personnel within Operations.
Responsible for the direction, coordination, development, and evaluation of Operations staff and for effective management of third-party maintenance and vendor relationships.