Assistant Director of Operations

Position Title: Assistant Director of Operations

Supported by: Vice President of Community Impact

FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt Status

Our Story:

Food Bank for the Heartland has connected our communities with food, resources, and hope since 1981. The fight against hunger is our ongoing, collaborative effort. We collaborate with individuals, organizations, food manufacturers and distributors, grocery stores, the USDA, and Feeding America to procure food and purchase food to supplement donations. Through the collective power of our leadership, employees, partners, volunteers, and donors, we can reach more communities, serve more people, and address food insecurity more directly and effectively. As new needs arise, we are ready.

Our Philosophy: Every service we provide, program we offer, and decision we make is rooted in our core Mission, Vision, and Values.

In Short:

The Assistant Director of Operations at Food Bank for the Heartland plays a pivotal role in overseeing the Distribution Center and Transportation teams. With a key focus on assisting in developing the annual departmental budget, aligning processes, and driving strategic initiatives, this position ensures seamless operations. The Assistant Director supervises managerial staff, identifies and tracks operational metrics to achieve functional goals, and serves as a thought leader and innovator in transportation and warehousing. This role also includes conducting research, being the subject matter expert on the Warehouse Management System, optimizing technology, setting operational standards, and supporting audits and reviews to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness.

Your Mission:

• Collaborate in creating and aligning departmental strategic plans and budget development.
• Analyzing operational needs by assessing the current and future needs of the Distribution Center and Transportation team to ensure resources are allocated effectively.
• Setting budget priorities by working with the Director of Operations and the Vice President of Community Impact to prioritize spending based on strategic goals and initiatives.
• Forecasting financial requirements by estimating costs for upcoming projects, resource needs, and expected revenue or funding.
• Coordinating with departments by collaborating with other teams to understand their needs and ensure alignment with the broader organizational strategy.
• Reviewing and adjusting plans by ensuring the budget and strategic plans are regularly reviewed and adjusted based on changing circumstances or priorities.
• Assist the Director of Operations in setting measurable goals to track progress against strategic and financial objectives.
• Assist in identifying potential risks to budget and strategic goals and proposing mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate in establishing and enforcing operational standards to ensure rigorous adherence to regulatory requirements and industry best practices within the Distribution Center and Transportation teams.
• Assist in the development of compliance guidelines by collaborating with the Director of Operations to create and implement guidelines that align with FBFH and industry standards and regulations
• Evaluate potential operational risks and ensure that standards are in place to mitigate those risks while maintaining compliance.
• Development of training programs to ensure that all team members understand and adhere to established standards and identify areas for improvement.
• Ensure that all operational processes are adequately documented and reflect compliance with legal and regulatory standards.
• Coordinating with external regulatory agencies to stay informed of regulation changes and ensure the team's compliance.
• Identifying non-compliance issues and working with relevant teams to implement corrective actions.
• Regularly reviewing operational standards to ensure they remain current with evolving regulatory requirements and industry best practices.
• Compiling reports and communicating the status of compliance efforts to leadership and relevant stakeholders.
• Collaborating with safety teams to ensure that operations meet safety regulations and environmental standards in transportation and distribution centers.
• Spearheaded the optimization of Distribution Center and Transportation software systems, including the Warehouse Management System (WMS) and Samsara, while serving as a strategic liaison with the IT department to ensure seamless integration and enhanced operational efficiency.
• Regularly evaluate the performance of WMS, Samsara, and related software to identify opportunities for optimization and improvement.
• Working closely with the IT department to ensure timely upgrades, patches, and software troubleshooting to maximize functionality.
• Coordinating with IT to configure and customize software features to align with operational needs and enhance user experience.
• Analyze operational workflow to identify inefficiencies and leverage software solutions to streamline Distribution Center and Transportation team processes.
• Ensuring staff are appropriately trained in the latest software updates and features and providing ongoing troubleshooting support.
• Collaborating with IT to enhance data integration between systems and developing robust reporting tools to facilitate data-driven decision-making.
• Facilitating communication between the Distribution Center, Transportation teams, and IT to align on system requirements and operational goals.
• Collaborate closely with the Transportation Manager to enhance fleet operations, ensuring optimal efficiency and compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations while fostering continuous improvement in safety, performance, and regulatory adherence.
• Continuously reviewing and ensuring fleet operations strictly adhere to FMCSA regulations, including hours of service (HOS), vehicle maintenance, and driver qualifications.
• In partnership with the Transportation Manager analyzing fleet data, including fuel consumption, route efficiency, and vehicle utilization, to identify opportunities for cost reduction and operational improvements.
• Collaborating with transportation leadership to create and implement safety programs to reduce accidents, ensure driver compliance with safety standards, and improve overall fleet safety.
• Developing and implementing ongoing driver training programs focusing on FMCSA compliance, safe driving practices, and fleet efficiency.
• Working with the fleet management team to establish a preventative maintenance schedule that ensures vehicles are kept in optional working conditions, reducing downtime and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Preparing for and coordinating internal and external audits to ensure the fleets' operations fully comply with FMCSA guidelines and address any potential areas of concern.
• Regularly evaluating fleet operations and FMCSA regulations to identify and implement best practices and improvements that enhance efficiency, safety, and compliance.
• Assist the Director of Operations in driving the ongoing enhancement and innovation of Distribution Center and Transportation processes by systematically identifying opportunities for optimization and fostering a culture of continuous improvement to elevate operational efficiency, scalability, and service excellence.
• Drive process analysis and mapping by continuously analyzing and mapping current Distribution Center and Transportation workflows to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement.
• Innovation Scouting by staying abreast of emerging trends and best practices in the logistics, warehouse, and transportation industries to identify new opportunities for innovation.
• Assist the Director of Operations in defining and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of process improvements and ensure continuous optimization.
• Identifying opportunities for automating manual tasks and optimizing resource allocation in both the distribution center and transportation operations.
• Assist the Distribution Center and transportation leadership in applying lean principles to streamline operations, reduce waste, and improve quality within the department.
• Develop feedback mechanisms with front-line employees, managers, and stakeholders to gather insights into operational challenges and opportunities for innovation.
• Collaborate with other leaders in leading change management efforts to ensure smooth transitions as new processes, technologies, or systems are introduced while managing resistance and fostering employee buy-in.
• Regularly assisting operational processes for potential risks and ensuring process improvement aligns with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Establish and champion cross-functional teams to drive collaborative initiatives, providing leadership, supervision, and fostering engagement while acting as a cultural ambassador to promote a cohesive, high-performance organizational environment.
• Assist in driving cross-functional collaboration by working closely with the distribution center, transportation, IT, and other FBFH teams to align process improvements with broader organizational goals.
• Establish clear, measurable objectives for the teams in partnership with the distribution center and transportation leaders, ensuring alignment with the overall organizational strategy and fostering a shared sense of purpose.
• Provide leadership and guidance to team members, offer mentorship to help them develop professionally, and ensure accountability in achieving goals.
• Cultivate a positive, engaging environment by recognizing team accomplishments, addressing challenges proactively, and encouraging participation and innovation.
• Serve as a cultural ambassador by promoting company values, fostering inclusion and respect, and encouraging behaviors that reinforce positive organizational culture.
• Address and resolve any interpersonal or functional conflicts that may arise, ensuring the team remains focused on achieving shared goals.
• Regularly track team performance, provide constructive feedback, and adjust strategies or objectives as needed to keep efforts on track.
• Organize and lead cross-functional team meetings, utilizing collaboration tools and platforms to ensure efficient communication and alignment on tasks and deliverables.
• Ensure the teams have the necessary resources, tools, and support to execute their initiatives effectively, removing obstacles that may hinder progress.
• Assessing and monitoring the team's influence on organizational culture, ensuring that their work aligns with and positively impacts the boarder culture and values of Food Bank for the Heartland.
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Commitment to Food Bank for the Heartland’s mission and values
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Inclusive, welcoming and influential
• Demonstrated relationship-building skills
• Excellent time management skills with multi-tasking capabilities
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Strong analytical skills for forecasting demand
• Professional dress and demeanor
  
  
  

Your Story:

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required, with a preference for fields of study such as supply chain management, operational or warehouse management, logistics, and transportation management, which are related disciplines.
• Relevant experience may be considered a substitute for the formal education requirements outlined.
• A minimum of three years of experience in distribution centers, warehousing, transportation, and/or logistics.
• A minimum of four years of leadership experience in high-performing teams.
• Forklift Certification (FBFH will conduct certification).
• Lived experience with the impacts of systemic racism or marginalization is highly valued.
  
  
  

About The Team:

At Food Bank for the Heartland, every team member, from our administrative staff to warehouse employees to team members working in collaboration at community locations, has a united purpose: to eradicate hunger in our service area through every initiative, program, and strategic decision. Our culture is rooted in inclusiveness, dedicated to empowering your passion and drive, and committed to fostering diversity, growth, and active community engagement.

This role is vital to the Food Bank for Heartland’s Community Impact team and is supported by our Director of Operations and Vice President of Community Impact.

We provide an environment to help you succeed.

Food Bank for the Heartland is an equal opportunity employer, deeply committed to fostering a community where talented, compassionate individuals from all backgrounds and identities can collaborate and thrive. Our unwavering dedication to diversity, inclusion, belonging, and equity ensures that every applicant and employee is valued and treated with respect, free from discrimination based on identity, at every stage of the hiring and employment process. Our code of conduct is not just a set of guidelines but a reflection of the inclusive and equitable organization we strive to be. We embrace and celebrate the strength that comes from our differences, knowing that they enrich our collective efforts. FBFH is steadfast in its commitment to considering all qualified candidates and ensuring equal opportunity.

In line with our ongoing commitment to inclusion, FBFH actively encourages individuals with disabilities to apply, and we are fully dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to ensure equitable access throughout the application and interview process. If you require any accommodations, please do not hesitate to contact adurr@foodbankheartland.org.

We support your well-being.

At Food Bank for the Heartland, we prioritize the well-being of our employees, understanding that a healthy and supportive work environment is key to both personal and professional success. We are committed to fostering a workplace that promotes work-life balance, mental and physical health, and overall happiness. Our well-being initiatives include [examples such as flexible working hours, wellness programs, mental health support, or employee resource groups]. We strive to create a culture where every employee feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive in and out of the workplace.