Manna Food Center Job Description – Director of Logistics

Job summary

The Director of Logistics provides leadership and oversight for all logistics operations at Manna Food Center, including warehousing, transportation, procurement, inventory management, and food distribution programs. This role ensures that all logistics functions operate cohesively, efficiently, and in alignment with organizational goals.

The Director serves as the bridge between strategy and execution, maintaining visibility into daily warehouse and field operations while empowering direct reports to manage their respective areas. This is a hands-on leadership role that requires regular presence on the warehouse floor to ensure operational standards, safety, and productivity are consistently met.

The Director works in close collaboration with the Volunteer Manager to align volunteer labor with operational needs, and with the Facility and Fleet Manager to ensure safe, functional facilities and a reliable fleet.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Oversight: Provide leadership across all logistics functions, ensuring alignment between warehousing, transportation, procurement, and distribution.
• Team Leadership: Lead and develop direct reports, ensuring accountability and strong performance across all logistics areas.
• Warehouse & Distribution Oversight: Ensure safe, efficient, and compliant execution of daily warehouse and distribution operations.
• Procurement & Inventory Alignment: Oversee procurement strategy and ensure alignment with inventory levels, program needs, and budget.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate closely with Volunteer Management, Facilities & Fleet, and Program teams to ensure seamless operations.
• Performance & Reporting: Establish KPIs, monitor performance, and provide regular reporting on logistics operations and outcomes.

Essential Job Functions

Operational Leadership & Execution

• Maintain daily visibility into warehouse and field operations to ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, and according to standards.
• Ensure effective coordination between all logistics functions: transportation, inventory, procurement, production, and distribution programs.
• Oversee implementation of new logistics initiatives, including new distribution models, markets, and sourcing strategies.
• Ensure operational consistency across all distribution channels (home delivery, satellites, choice markets, school-based programs, etc.).

Team Oversight & Accountability

• Provide direction, coaching, and performance management to direct reports:
  • Senior Manager of Logistics (transportation, warehouse execution, production)
  • Procurement Manager (food sourcing, vendor management, inventory integrity)
  • School-Based Coordinator (school programs logistics coordination)
  • Choice Market Manager (choice-market style distribution operations )
• Ensure each manager is effectively executing their responsibilities without duplication or gaps.
• Hold teams accountable for performance, safety, and operational standards.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Warehouse, Inventory & Food Safety

• Ensure all warehouse operations comply with food safety, sanitation, and storage standards.
• Oversee inventory integrity, including accurate tracking, reporting, and reconciliation.
• Ensure proper food handling, temperature control, and FIFO practices across all operations.
• Maintain sufficient inventory levels aligned with program demand and budget constraints.

Transportation & Fleet Coordination

• Oversee transportation operations through the Senior Manager of Logistics.
• Ensure compliance with DOT regulations and safe driving practices.
• Coordinate with the Facility and Fleet Manager to ensure timely preventive maintenance and repairs.
• Ensure proper use of pre-trip inspections, reporting, and vehicle accountability.

Procurement & Food Sourcing Oversight

• Provide oversight of all food sourcing activities (purchased, donated, rescued, CAFB).
• Ensure procurement strategies align with operational capacity, inventory needs, and nutrition goals.
• Support vendor relationship management and ensure ethical, cost-effective purchasing practices.

Volunteer & Workforce Coordination

• Coordinate and Collaborate with the Volunteer Manager to forecast and align volunteer labor with operational needs.
• Ensure effective integration of volunteers into warehouse and distribution activities.
• Ensure volunteers are properly trained in food safety and operational procedures.

Program & Partner Coordination

• Ensure logistics support for all programs, including school-based distributions, food rescue, and choice markets.
• Maintain strong coordination with internal teams and external partners to support service delivery.
• Ensure responsiveness to operational changes, including schedule adjustments, partner needs, and participant demand.

Performance Management & Reporting

• Develop and monitor KPIs related to logistics efficiency (e.g., cost per mile, pounds distributed, productivity metrics).
• Ensure accurate reporting of inventory, distribution, and operational performance.
• Use data to identify opportunities for process improvement and increased capacity.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure compliance with all food safety regulations, organizational policies, and operational procedures.
• Maintain safe working conditions across warehouse and distribution environments.
• Ensure all staff and volunteers are trained in safety, food handling, and equipment use.
• Ensure compliance with DOT and fleet safety standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5–7 years of experience in logistics, transportation, or supply chain management, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Experience in food banking, food distribution, warehousing, or retail operations strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing teams, including staff and volunteer personnel.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record; DOT medical card preferred.
• Experience operating warehouse equipment (forklifts, pallet jacks).
• ServSafe certification preferred or willingness to obtain.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and inventory systems (Fishbowl or similar).
• Ability to lift up to 70 pounds and work in warehouse environments.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus.

Leadership Expectations

• Hands-on leader who maintains strong visibility in daily operations.
• Ability to balance strategic oversight with operational execution.
• Strong collaborator across departments and functions.
• High level of accountability, integrity, and decision-making under pressure.

Physical Demands

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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb, or balance. The employee must regularly lift and/or move objects up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move objects that weigh more than 75 pounds. The employee must be able to stand continuously for up to 3 hours at a time. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Environmental Conditions

Why Choose Manna?

It takes all types of people to make Manna great. We seek a diverse and committed group of individuals who are eager to engage in service to the community while enabling their own personal growth and professional development. One of our core priorities is to enable our employees to live a well-balanced life and career, and our benefits are an important extension of that philosophy. As such, we offer a competitive suite of benefits, including:

Our Culture

• At Manna, our core values are passion and determination, relationships built on respect, resourcefulness, community involvement, and adaptability and ingenuity. Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is a top priority that enables us to find excellent teammates and creates an environment where all types of people can belong and thrive.
• Manna is participant-centered and data-driven. Our people do meaningful work in an environment where they feel a genuine sense of community and connectedness to Manna’s mission.
• Manna relies on problem-solving and solution creation from all levels.
• Working at Manna is a dynamic experience with the opportunity to take ownership and make a difference.
• Our work is strengthened by the voices of people with lived experience of food insecurity.

Racial Equity Statement

Manna Food Center is committed to serving as an ally for racial justice and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We are fully committed to equity and believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, political opinion, and national origin. Applicants with lived experience of our service area are encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer

This job description is not a contract and confers no contractual rights, privileges, or benefits on any applicant or potential applicant. Manna has the right to change any and all terms of this job description, including, but not limited to, job responsibilities, qualifications, and benefits. Nothing in this job description constitutes an offer or guarantee of employment. Manna reserves the right to change its current benefits program at any time, in a manner that is consistent with applicable federal and state regulations.

Manna is an Equal Opportunity Employer.