Operations Manager in Durham, North Carolina at FOOD BANK OF CENTRAL & EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA

Join Us in the Fight Against Hunger!

At the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, we believe in a future where no one goes hungry. Our mission is simple but powerful: Nourish people. Build solutions. Connect communities.

We’re looking for passionate, dedicated people to bring their talents to an organization where every role makes a real difference. Guided by our values - Integrity, Compassion, Dedication, Teamwork, and Fun - we work hard, support one another, and celebrate the impact we create together.

If you’re ready to put purpose at the center of your career, we’d love to have you on our team!

About the Role

The Operations Manager is responsible for planning, directing, guidance and general management of branch location. Responsibilities include team guidance and development (direct reports and other resources assigned to branch) warehousing, transportation, food safety, operational budget, staffing and site location management activities. This position is also engaged in facility management including facilities maintenance, equipment maintenance, safety, and security.

The Operations Manager in Durham directly supervises and leads a team of eight (8) individuals: Administrative Associate, Facilities Associate, Warehouse Coordinator, two (2) CDL Class B Transportation/Warehouse Associates, Shopping & Product Coordinator, and two (2) Warehouse Associates. Additionally, the role directly supports positions in other departments that are based out of the Durham location collaborating, fostering and maintaining positive working relationships to meet the needs of volunteers, partner agencies and the public.

Typical Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm | Monday - Friday | On Site

*This position requires flexibility to work varying hours, including occasional early mornings, evenings, or weekends, based on the operational needs of the Durham location. Occasional travel to other Food Bank locations is required.

RESPONSIBILITIES

(50%) Branch Management/Leadership

• Leadership - Uphold and display organizational values and policies and serve as a positive role model to staff members. Facilitate all-staff branch meetings monthly or as determined, staff luncheons, and other branch staff meeting activities when required. Participate in all relevant meetings. Represent the organization as an ambassador in a friendly and professional manner and contribute to building and maintaining teamwork at the branch facility and throughout the organization. Identify, develop, and mentor a diverse team.
• Communications – Cohesive communications, policies, systems, and procedures between all staff, branches, and departments.
• Food Safety – Ensure the branch is adhering to all food safety and Food Bank standard operating procedures. The Operations Manager is the Food Safety Coordinator and Food Defense Coordinator for their branch location. Ensure the facility is always food safety audit ready.
• Safety - Ensure that all safety policies and procedures are communicated and implemented. Oversee security of entire facility. Maintain a safe and accident-free workplace and submit timely incident investigation reports as needed. The Operations Manager may serve on the organizational Safety Committee.
• Budget– Develop and maintain branch Operations department budget and vendor review. Provide the necessary input required for budget development and monitoring.
• People Leadership and Guidance – Involved in hiring staff following organizational hiring procedures; ensuring that each new direct report completes appropriate SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) training based on their operational function, safety requirements, GMP food safety, and general job training. Usage of Temporary staff may be needed at times and should also receive appropriate training and awareness of Food Bank policies, procedures, and safety protocols. Conduct performance review process, two-way communication, and individual staff training opportunities for direct reports. Manage staff scheduling, payroll, and time off approval, as necessary. Uphold accountability of staff (direct reports and staff assigned to branch) dependability and productivity to meet organizational customer service requirements and equitable workload distribution among staff. Ensure all People Experience requirements are met, and policies are upheld within purview.
• Branch Management – With cooperation and collaboration of other departments at the branch, coordinate all branch activities. This may include staff scheduling for coverage of public business hours, coordination of necessary branch administrative items and office equipment, coordinating Branch meeting, and coordinating branch/team training. Ensure internal and external communications are managed appropriately, including mail operations, purchasing supplies, and visitor/vendor/neighbor and other public engagement at branch. Communicate as necessary with Community partners and serve as representative of the Food Bank to the community as needed.
• Disaster Response (DR) – Ensure all aspects of the Disaster Response Manual are up to date and readily available. Lead and/or participate in DR functions as needed.

(50%) Direct all branch operational functions. Maintaining daily oversight of warehouse, transportation, food safety, inventory.

• Warehouse - Direct warehouse staff and operations including accuracy and timeliness of receiving/distribution, storage procedures, and inventory control; ensuring all relevant SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) are adhered to consistently. Works with Food Sourcing to manage daily schedules of donor pickup and deliveries. Keep adequate inventories for all scheduled deliveries and agency pick-ups. Coordinate the maintenance/scheduling of facility & equipment repair as well as preventative maintenance on all equipment.
• Transportation - Direct all planning, communication, and tracking of daily branch truck driver schedules, including deliveries and donation pick-ups in collaboration with the Transportation Dispatcher and/or Director of Transportation. Proactively submit route information for Roadnet to Dispatcher and the Manager of Transportation. Ensure drivers are using Roadnet consistently and accurately. Ensure the branch vehicle fleet is properly maintained and all DOT/FMCSA laws and regulations are adhered to.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work being performed by people assigned this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Logistics, or a related field preferred.
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in warehouse operations, distribution, inventory management, production, or a related operational environment required, eight (8) to ten (10) years preferred.
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of supervisory or people management experience required; eight (8) to ten (10) years preferred.

An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience will be considered.

Physical & Environmental Requirements

• Ability to work in both office and warehouse environments and occasionally outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to travel to Food Bank branch locations, partner agencies, and vendor sites as needed.
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
• Ability to occasionally lift and move materials weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and use a computer for extended periods throughout the workday.

Technical & Operational Requirements

• Experience using transportation routing software required; experience with Roadnet preferred.
• Knowledge of fleet operations, vehicle maintenance coordination, transportation logistics, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Valid North Carolina driver's license required.
• Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) strongly preferred.
  

Skills and Competencies

• Leadership and Management - Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and employee development skills. Ability to train, motivate, and hold employees accountable to performance and safety expectations. Exhibit strong teamwork skills and ability to empower and elevate staff
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills – Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to work effectively across teams and support positive working relationships and build collaborative working relationships.
• Operational Knowledge – Understanding of warehouse operations, inventory processes, quality standards, and workplace safety practices.
• Adaptability & Reliability – Ability to work in f.ast-paced environments, adjust to changing operational needs, and consistently follow through on responsibilities.
• Safety Mindset – Commitment to maintaining safe work practices and supporting operational compliance and food safety standards.
• Organization and Problem Solving - Effective organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities and manage competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, with or without accommodation.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
• The employee is often required to sit and to use their hands and fingers to handle or feel.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb, balance, and to stoop, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee will occasionally operate a manual or electric pallet jack, which requires arm and upper body strength.
• The employee will occasionally lift loads up to 40 lbs. requiring twisting to right or left.
• The employee will occasionally lift heavy boxes overhead and stack them up to 6 feet from floor level.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions.

Work Environment:

While performing the responsibilities of the job, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the job holder will encounter. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions.

While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is required to:

• work in a warehouse (60%) and an office (40%). This is an approximate measure and will vary day to day based on operational priorities.
• Occasionally, the employee will be required to drive an automobile and to operate a forklift.
• The employee will be required to interact with Food Bank personnel in the warehouse(s). In doing so, the employee will occasionally be exposed to moving mechanical parts and vehicles.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

The warehouse can be extremely cold at times and extremely hot during the summer months.

While performing the responsibilities of the job, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the job holder will encounter. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions.