Vice President of Operations

The posting, as livingHR wrote it

Position Title: Vice President of Operations

Department: Warehouse Operations

Reports to: Chief Operations Officer

POSITION SUMMARY

The Vice President of Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for the nonprofit organization's distribution network, warehouse operations, center operations, production activities, transportation, inventory management, safety, logistics, facilities readiness, and operational performance. Reporting to the Chief Operations Officer, this role ensures the safe, efficient, compliant, and effective movement of food throughout the organization's multi-site network in support of agency, program, and community needs.

As a member of the Vice President Leadership Team, the Vice President leads through operational directors, managers, and functional leaders to translate organizational priorities into coordinated operational plans, performance expectations, capacity strategies, and continuous improvement initiatives. This position is responsible for strengthening day-to-day operational execution while building the systems, talent, processes, and infrastructure needed to support long-term growth and mission impact.

The Vice President of Operations partners closely with the Chief Operations Officer, VP of Food Sourcing, VP of Impact, Procurement, Finance, Philanthropy, Transformation, and other leaders to align food flow, inventory availability, transportation capacity, production capabilities, safety practices, and facilities resources with organizational priorities. This role directly oversees the Director of Warehouse & Inventory, Director of Centers & Production, Director of Transportation, and Safety Manager.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Strategy & Network Performance

• Develop and execute multi-year operational strategies that support organizational goals, distribution effectiveness, service responsiveness, safety, compliance, and mission impact.
• Provide senior leadership for the organization's warehouse, inventory, center, production, transportation, logistics, safety, and operational readiness functions.
• Ensure operational strategy, workflows, staffing models, equipment, facilities, technology, and resource allocation support organizational growth and service needs.
• Balance operational capacity, food flow, product availability, transportation resources, production needs, agency demand, and program priorities across the network.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational effectiveness, throughput, quality, service levels, productivity, financial stewardship, and cross-functional coordination.

Warehouse, Inventory & Food Flow Leadership

• Provide oversight for warehouse operations, inventory management, receiving, storage, order fulfillment, staging, redistribution, and product movement across the organization's operating network.
• Ensure inventory standards, control

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city planning, labor planning, equipment, facilities, and logistics decisions.

• Demonstrated ability to analyze operational data, develop performance metrics, manage budgets, allocate resources, evaluate capital investments, and drive continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, process optimization, warehouse automation, transportation optimization, operational technology, ERP, WMS, or related systems preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, change management, project management, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience building high-performing teams and developing leaders through coaching, performance management, succession planning, and professional development.
• Commitment to fostering a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, operational excellence, and mission impact.
• Ability to represent the organization with professionalism, credibility, integrity, and a strong commitment to service and mission.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• The starting salary range for this position is $120-138,000 + 10% bonus, based on skills and experience.
• This position's working schedule is generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some nights and weekends required based on operational needs.
• This position is based out of the organization's regional center in the Chicagoland area, with regular travel to other organizational locations and partner sites. Relocation will not be provided.
• Some local travel required. Must have dependable transportation and ability and flexibility to travel throughout the organization's 13-county service area as needed.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee and is subject to change based on the needs of the department and/or the organization.