Mills River, North Carolina
The Operations Director provides strategic leadership and oversees all aspects of warehouse and volunteer center operations, ensuring safety and strict adherence to food safety protocols. This encompasses the entire operational lifecycle, including product receiving, storage, and distribution, inventory management, efficient pick-up and delivery routes, and maintaining a secure and well-managed warehouse facility. The Director guarantees compliance with rigorous standards set by Feeding America and AIB, driving continuous improvement in warehouse operations and safe food handling practices. This critical role also involves developing and implementing a robust disaster preparedness plan for Manna FoodBank. The ideal candidate possesses exceptional flexibility and thrives in a dynamic environment where priorities may shift rapidly.
Responsible for the strategic direction of the Operations Department to include; developing annual work plans that meet the distribution needs of MANNA’s 16-county service area, implementing process improvements that maximize efficiencies, and promoting safe working conditions for all.
Directs the Operations staff to ensure the safe and sanitary storage of all products by following guidelines from Feeding America, USDA, NCDA, and AIB (third party food safety).
Responsible for a sanitary and well-maintained warehouse facilities including; volunteer center, main warehouse, and containment space.
Responsible for working in multiple databases such as, but not limited to, inventory software, fleet management systems, warehouse management systems, ensuring accuracy, running reports, and providing data when requested by senior leadership and the board of directors.
Oversees the distribution of products ensuring great customer service to agencies and accurate recordkeeping of products going out and coming in.
Monitoring driver performance and ensuring adherence to safe driving practices.
Directs Warehouse Operations, including inventory control, order picking, driver activities, product receipt, storage, and movement, as well as all inventory software entry and usage by the operations department.
Ensures that complete and accurate records are maintained of products received and distributed, including donated food, purchased food, and food from government programs.
Oversees the planning and execution of inventory audits and manages the reconciliation of any discrepancies in a timely and effective manner.
Develops, implements, and maintains a safe, cost-effective and efficient system of transportation of products.
Develops, implement, and maintain Disaster plan for the Foodbank.
Responsible for Food Safety Audits through AIB, USDA, NCDA, state and local health departments, or Feeding America. Including but not limited to, holding annual SOP, GMP, chemical control, and food safety trainings.
Keeps all AIB and Feeding America operational compliance documents up to date and audit ready.
Oversees the requirements of product recalls and their guidelines.
Oversees the development, implementation, and maintenance of MANNA’s safety program, in coordination with the Facilities and Safety Manager.
Works closely with the Food Sourcing Director to develop and implement annual product distribution plans that meet the needs of the communities we serve.
Represents MANNA at public gatherings and conducts tours, effectively communicating the organization's mission.
General Management:
Sets the strategic direction and priorities for the department, in collaboration with the COO and the senior leadership team.
Provide direction, training, supervision, and performance management of all direct reports and ensures the same for the entire team.
Develop and monitor department budgets, data tracking and reporting, and maintain objectives, goals, and work plans for the team and MANNA.
Collaborates with the Development Department in fundraising and grant applications and ensures that all department reporting is complete and timely.
Oversee the recruiting and training of staff, interns, and volunteers as needed.
Complete periodic reports required by funders, donors, senior management, and the board of directors.
Assists in formulating management policies and procedures with fellow managers and the Senior Leadership Team.
Serves as staff liaison to Board committees that may form related to operations.
Performs additional duties as needed or assigned by leadership.
Education/Experience: A range of education, training, certifications and experience will be considered for this position. This range could include but is not limited to:
High School diploma or equivalent with specialized training and/or certification, and more than ten years of relevant work experience
Associate degree and 8-10 years of relevant work experience
Four-year degree and 5-10 years of relevant work experience
Graduate degree and 3-5 years of relevant work experience
Fields of experience can include, but are not limited to, purchasing/procurement, project management, non-profit management, operations/logistics or a related field
The ideal candidate will have specific experiences in leading, managing and developing high functioning teams with demonstrated outputs and measurements
Proficiency in full Microsoft Office Suite is a must; experience working with databases, inventory software, fleet management systems, WMS (warehouse management systems) and other more complex information systems is a plus
Proven track record of success working in a busy warehouse environment, meeting deadlines and managing multiple priorities
Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
CDL Class A or B and material handling equipment experience a plus but not required
Outstanding skills in communication, leadership, planning, organizational development
Must be able to effectively and pleasantly communicate with a diverse field of volunteers, staff, donors and agency representatives
Must be able to direct staff and volunteers in achieving the goals of MANNA Foodbank while maintaining professionalism and courtesy
Must have strengths in leadership, training, motivation and communication
Strategic thinker with demonstrated experience elevating the work of a team through process improvement, planning, and goal setting
Professionally represents MANNA in diverse settings
The starting salary for the Director of Operations is $ $77,183 - $81,471 annually. MANNA is also thrilled to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance, 401k with company match up to 3%, short term and long-term disability insurance, 136 hours of PTO in the first year, paid lunches and breaks, 10 paid holidays, flexible schedule and more!
Our mission is to involve, educate, and unite people in the work of ending hunger in Western North Carolina.
Our vision is a hunger-free WNC.
MANNA is currently moving over 50,000 pounds of food each day of the year through a partner network of over 200 agencies, stretching every resource to meet the growing need for food across our 16-county region of WNC.