Description

Position Overview & Opportunity:

Reporting jointly to the CEO and COO and leading a dedicated team of 18-22 operations and program staff, the Food Bank Director (Director) will provide overall leadership and direction for all food bank related activities with a leadership focus on warehouse operations, agency network management, food sourcing, and volunteer activities.  The Director is also expected to be a fully engaged leader with Feeding America and the Community FoodBank of New Jersey – MSF’s Partner Food Bank in the Feeding America Network.  Warehouse operations include collection, receipt, storage, and distribution of food products to the 100+ pantry partners serving residents across Mercer County. Warehouse responsibilities include oversight of inventory control, transportation, safe food handling, compliance, facility management, annual budgets, and new ERP software procedures.   

In addition, the Director will be responsible for and lead; 1) food agency network management, training, communications, and overall support, 2) food sourcing activities and initiatives, and 3) food bank related volunteer opportunities and experiences. The Director will be a change agent and team builder promoting a work culture aligned with MSF’s mission and values; a culture that is accountable, highly collaborative, open door, and customer-service oriented both internally and externally. They will provide the structure and processes necessary to manage the food bank's current operational, and programmatic activities, and sustained growth ensuring successful execution of all food bank goals and objectives. 

The Incoming Director will work collaboratively with the Community Schools Impact Center team ensuring MSF’s six partner schools and currently three school-based choice pantries across the Trenton Public School District have access to fresh and healthy food. The pantries serve not only students but their families, and the community in general. The Director will inherit a new 42,000 square foot warehouse which includes cold storage spaces that allow for the distribution of more fresh produce, meat, and dairy, and enhancements such as dedicated pack and sort rooms-ensuring volunteers have safe and ample space to work. 

As in many communities across the country, food insecurity is on the rise in Mercer County. MSFFB and the broader Mercer Street Friends organization is in an exceptional position to face the challenge head on and increase its impact in meeting the needs of the community. The Director role offers an exceptional opportunity to join a financially and reputationally strong nonprofit leader and immediately embed themselves in a network of food banks and partner organizations throughout New Jersey working toward solving the food insecurity crisis and make a tangible difference in the lives of thousands of families across Mercer County. 

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership 

• Create and support the organizational and operational vision of MSFFB to ensure the food bank is positioned to become a state-of-the-art operation that maximizes its resources, in alignment with MSFFB mission and goals.
• Assess and identify areas for infrastructure improvement that anticipate the future needs of a best-practice organization. Identify any gaps and proactively propose creative and innovative solutions.
• Work closely with the CEO and COO to establish and accomplish annual goals and objectives, assess key performance indicators and ensure the food bank meets its goals and timelines of the organization's strategic model for food sourcing and distribution.
• Ensure that budgets and long-term financial plans and operations are aligned to the MSFFB and broader MSF strategic plan, values and priorities.
• Build and develop a highly effective team promoting a culture of collaboration, transparency, accountability, empowerment, and wellbeing.
• Participates in donor cultivation and solicitation activities as needed.

Operations Management 

• Develop, in collaboration with the CEO and COO, the operations business plan and budget including ongoing review and analyses of activities, costs, operations, and forecasts to determine organizational progress toward mission, goals, and strategies. 
• Direct effective management of all warehousing and food sourcing and distribution operations including safety, security, inventory control, effective storage, stock rotation, facilities management, purchasing and equipment maintenance, and sufficient food availability. 
• Supervise the activities for sourcing donated product from retail partners, growers, packers, and distributors.
• Maintain working knowledge of all facets of the warehouse and other food bank facilities to ensure a safe, cost-effective and efficient system of receiving and warehousing that prompt receipt distribution and documentation of product is of the highest priority and meet standards of health and safety.
• Initiate and manage cross functional projects to include documentation of standard operating procedures, inventory accuracy, and various other quality control functions.
• Develop or direct the creation of metrics to measure the performance of all areas of operations to evaluate and improve performance, ensure SOP and encourage team accountability.  
• Identify and drive change management efforts that improve operational workflow and productivity while maintaining focus on adding value to all partner organizations. 
• Direct the creation and implementation of processes designed to ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory agencies regarding warehousing, transporting and distributing foods and other relevant external compliance organizations.
• Coordinate efforts to evaluate the results of each area of operations including activities that directly affect organizational risk and liability and regularly report these to the CEO and COO. 
• Provide oversight and coordination of MSFFB's food distribution activities to clients at various locations and formats.
• Create and maintain a culture of volunteer management, recognition, and retention.

Organizational Development 

• Ensure the MSFFB has the appropriate organizational structure to serve an increasing number of people in need effectively, efficiently, sustainably, and ensuring equitable food distribution. 
• Ensure that the organization develops clear roles, responsibilities, and reporting structures for staff and consultants to maintain a strong, high performing organizational culture.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to promote open communication and facilitate information flow between MSFFB operations, program leadership and, all Impact Centers across the organization; remove communication barriers, facilitate ongoing and timely decision making and clarity around expectations. 
• Ensure staff have the training, temperament and passion required to implement goals, strategies and policies successfully.
• Create opportunities for operations and all staff at MSFFB for development and professional growth. 
• §Recruit, motivate and lead a high-performance food bank operations team whose responsibilities encompass onsite/off-site operations, warehouse, distribution, quality control, transportation, and facility management. 
• Convene interdepartmental teams, committees and task forces to ensure integration and consistency of communication, workflows, and outcomes. 
• Ensure employees follow or comply with the employee handbook as amended from time to time as well as any applicable safety, operational, and accounting policies and procedures.
• Establish and maintain trust and positive relationships with all MSF/MSFFB employees and volunteers.
• Support and educate volunteers in the utilization of a new volunteer platform. 

Network Relations

• Provide strategic oversight and programmatic development for local food resources of MSFFB.
• Act as primary representative of MSFFB with Feeding America and the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. Attend Feeding America convenings and the Annual Meeting. 
• Ensure effective integration of all program staff, volunteers, and initiatives within operations.
• Provide guidance, direction, and oversight for MSFFB's participation in cooperative partnerships and with member agencies.
• Work effectively with the network relationship manager, the food bank network and partner agencies, and volunteers to assist in monitoring compliance and regulatory requirements for programs serving member agencies and food insecure individuals and families. 
• Partner with MSF’s Impact Center Leadership and all external partners to elevate, communicate, and stretch the reach of the MSFFB's impact on Mercer County and beyond.
• Act as a strategic partner and connector of leaders in Mercer County and leverage the expertise from a variety of like-minded peer organizations to set community-wide priorities, meet people where they are, and eradicate food insecurity across the county. 

Desired Competencies:

• Passionate about nourishing minds and bodies; empowering families and communities.
• Demonstrates compassion and sensitivity to underserved populations.
• Ability to balance operational needs and efficiencies with a drive to serve MSFFB’s mission. 
• Self-directed, driven, and accountable for achieving high results individually and organizationally. Must be capable of managing multiple responsibilities simultaneously in a high-growth change environment.
• Excellent organizational, time, and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, short-term needs, and long-term planning; able to effectively set and manage priorities and deadlines and to coach others to do the same.
• Strong leadership skills, with demonstrated experience in managing and motivating multi-functional teams; able to inspire and retain a talented team through strong organizational management, coaching, and mentorship.
• Exceptional relationship-building and interpersonal skills and able to work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders at all levels and across organizations. 
• Strong business acumen and ability to drive results; strives for continuous improvement, establishes goals, and translates goals into action. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, clear communicator as well as negotiation and conflict resolution skills. 
• Strategic thinker and change agent who manages continuity, change and transition while establishing buy-in along the way.  
• Culturally competent with deep commitment to an inclusive workplace culture.
• Highly inclusive and demonstrates high EQ, calm under fire, and commitment to innovation and excellence.

Education: 

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in public/business administration, supply chain, human services, management, or related field. 
• Experience with inventory management software, financial software, as well as high level of computer proficiency. 
• Must pass ServSafe Food Handler Certification within 3 months of starting in position.
• Understanding of OSHA safety regulations.

 Compensation:

• The budgeted compensation for this role is $135,000 to $150,000. Base salary is one component of MSFFB's total compensation, and MSF is proud to offer its employees a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. Any final offer will be based on various factors including job-related knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience.

Requirements

Qualifications & Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years progressive professional experience in a leadership role in a comparable growth-oriented organization of similar size and complexity.
• Executive leadership experience in food banking is preferred.
• Candidates with food distribution/grocery management/logistics, or nonprofit experience in a network or complex multi-site environment will be equally considered. 
• Experience leading and motivating a volunteer workforce is highly desirable.
• Working knowledge of warehouse workflow, inventory control, and food sourcing; general knowledge of proper maintenance, storage and pertinent safety regulations highly desirable.
• Commitment to and experience working with organizations providing essential services to underserved individuals and communities; experience working with volunteers is preferred.
• Experience fostering collaborative relationships and building innovative partnerships in the service of community wellness and empowerment; partner organizations include other food security groups, Feeding America, social service organizations, schools and residents.
• Experience coaching and developing professional staff and a successful track record of recruiting and retaining high performing teams.
• Achievement in change environments; adept at assessing infrastructure/operational requirements necessary to support sustainable growth and healthy organizational culture.
• Track record of developing and executing strategic plans; setting clear and actionable priorities; creating and monitoring budgets.
  Ability to establish and execute sound business practices and metrics through thoughtful planning and analysis.