Director, Operations

Second Harvest Food Bank; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

34+ days off

Employer-paid medical

Dental & Vision

403b retirement plan (match)

Job summary

The Director, Operations at Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee oversees warehousing, receiving and distribution, inventory control, quality assurance, and facilities maintenance across multiple locations. Reporting to the Vice President of Operations & Logistics, this role ensures safe, reliable day-to-day execution and drives continuous improvements in operations to support neighbor needs.

The ideal candidate has 7–10 years of operations management experience in warehouse/logistics, a

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of Operations Management experience in warehouse/logistics
• Bachelor’s degree in business or logistics preferred
• Strong leadership, communication, and vendor management skills

Responsibilities

• Oversee warehousing, receiving, distribution, inventory control, quality assurance, and facilities maintenance across all locations.
• Lead collaboration with VP Operations & Logistics to align priorities and drive day-to-day execution.
• Develop and manage annual Operations budget; monitor costs, vendor performance, and resource utilization.
• Coach and develop staff; ensure safety, compliance with food safety standards, and continuous process improvements.

Skills

Operations leadership

Vendor management

Process improvement

Budget management

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven decisions

Staff development

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or logistics

Job description

Ready to Make an Impact with Your Career?

When you work for Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, you’re doing more than a job. You’re building a career while making a real difference for neighbors in your community. From truck driving to communications, we offer a wide range of opportunities for inspired individuals to help fight hunger in Middle and West Tennessee.

Our core beliefs are a crucial part of who we are as an organization, and they are reflected in our work and our relationships every day. At Second Harvest, we believe:

• that access to food is a human right
• in meeting neighbors where they are, with compassion
• in the power of connection; and that it is our role to connect resources with those who need them

Our Values

We are dedicated to living out these values in everything we do:

We explore and adjust to new conditions, and we have the courage to be versatile, adapting to the needs of our neighbors, partners and peers.

Co-creation

We move beyond collaboration to proactively develop innovative and neighbor-centric initiatives with our community.

Equity

We act with intention to remove barriers, include all voices, and meet people where they are.

We are change agents unafraid to challenge the status quo. We boldly envision and implement new ways to meet needs.

Radical Hospitality

We authentically and intentionally create a culture of care and belonging for all.

Empathy & Compassion

We actively listen and hold space for our neighbors, partners, and one another so everyone can share their unique journeys.

"This is very different from a normal truck driving job, where you just bump a dock, sign a paper, and never really know what you are hauling. At Second Harvest, it’s totally different. We build relationships with the Partner Agencies we deliver food to. In my experience, it has led to lifelong friendships."

"The actual size and scope of what Second Harvest Food Bank does is initially overwhelming, and I was not prepared for the volume of food moving in and out of our facilities. The number of lives and families touched by what we are able to do, with the support of our community, is staggering and humbling!"

"This is very different from a normal truck driving job, where you just bump a dock, sign a paper, and never really know what you are hauling. At Second Harvest, it’s totally different. We build relationships with the Partner Agencies we deliver food to. In my experience, it has led to lifelong friendships."

"The actual size and scope of what Second Harvest Food Bank does is initially overwhelming, and I was not prepared for the volume of food moving in and out of our facilities. The number of lives and families touched by what we are able to do, with the support of our community, is staggering and humbling!"

"This is very different from a normal truck driving job, where you just bump a dock, sign a paper, and never really know what you are hauling. At Second Harvest, it’s totally different. We build relationships with the Partner Agencies we deliver food to. In my experience, it has led to lifelong friendships."

"The actual size and scope of what Second Harvest Food Bank does is initially overwhelming, and I was not prepared for the volume of food moving in and out of our facilities. The number of lives and families touched by what we are able to do, with the support of our community, is staggering and humbling!"

Ranked One of the ‘Top Work Places’ in Tennessee

Working with Second Harvest is both challenging and rewarding. When you join our team, you’ll work with a group of dedicated and diverse individuals bringing equitable access to food and resources to people in need across Middle and West Tennessee.

Second Harvest is honored to have been selected as a Top Work Place in Tennessee by the Tennessean eleven times – a recognition based solely on employee surveys and feedback.

We are hiring for a full time to hire Director, Operations to join the Operations Department at Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.

Who we are

For nearly 50 years, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee has dedicated itself to nourishing and empowering their neighbors so they can thrive. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Second Harvest implements sustainable solutions to food insecurity through a strategically selected network of more than 600 partners across 46 counties in Middle and West Tennessee. Our partners include food pantries, congregate meal sites, shelters, childcare facilities, senior centers, group homes, and youth enrichment programs. For more information about Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, its mission, and programs, please visit secondharvestmidtn.org.

What you’ll do

The Director, Operations/Deputy Food Safety Officer directs and oversees the Food Bank’s warehousing, receiving and distribution, inventory management, quality control, and facilities maintenance functions across all locations. Reporting to the Vice President of Operations & Logistics, this role is accountable for safe, reliable, and efficient day-to-day execution within Operations and for developing the people, processes, and systems required to support organizational goals and neighbor needs. The Director works collaboratively with Transportation, Food Resourcing, Manufacturing/Food Safety, Programs, Technology, and other teams to coordinate resources and solve operational problems. The position evaluates facilities, equipment, workflows, and operating practices to drive continuous improvement while actively modeling Second Harvest’s mission and values and fostering a culture of inclusion, belonging, accountability, and respect.

Key Responsibilities

• Possesses broad knowledge of warehousing and distribution and a deep working knowledge of leading operations in a complex, multi-site environment.
• Directs, supervises, and manages warehousing and distribution operations including receiving, storage, order fulfillment and distribution, inventory control, quality control, and facilities maintenance at all Food Bank locations.
• Partners closely with the Vice President of Operations & Logistics and peer leaders in Transportation, Food Resourcing, and Manufacturing/Food Safety to align priorities, capacity, and day-to-day execution.
• Builds strong cross-functional relationships with Agency Program and Services, Technology, Finance, External Affairs, and other teams; leverages organizational resources and maintains effective relationships with vendors and service providers.
• Provides effective inventory management and quality control to ensure inventory accuracy, maximize warehouse utilization, and maintain appropriate cycle count and inventory control processes at all facilities.
• Reviews and improves processes, workflows, systems, and operating practices to support safe and efficient receiving, storage, inventory control, order fulfillment, and movement of product.
• Implements and maintains operating standards that support effective utilization of Food Bank facilities and equipment and ensure work environments are functional, safe, and well maintained.
• Develops and maintains an effective equipment repair, facility repair, warehouse, and maintenance management program to support Food Bank operations.
• Develops and manages the annual Operations budget in partnership with the Vice President of Operations & Logistics and Finance; monitors operating costs, maintenance needs, vendor performance, and resource utilization.
• Serves as Deputy Food Safety Officer of the Food Safety Committee and provides direct oversight within Operations for all food safety activities including procedure development, training programs and monitoring activities supporting food bank activities.
• Provides leadership for safety within Operations and works with Human Resources and other leaders to support organizational safety programs and the Safety Committee.
• Ensures operational activities comply with applicable laws, regulations, safety requirements, Feeding America standards, food safety requirements, and organizational policies.
• Develops staff and future leaders through coaching, mentoring, clear expectations, feedback, on-the-job experience, and appropriate training.
• Supports operational readiness for the new campus, including workflow, equipment, storage, and transition planning, as requested by the Vice President of Operations & Logistics.
• Other duties as assigned.

Reports to: Vice President, Operations & Logistics

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Yes. Provides direct leadership and supervisory oversight to warehouse, inventory/quality control, and facilities personnel within Operations. Responsible for the direction, coordination, development, and evaluation of Operations staff and for effective management of third‑party maintenance and vendor relationships.

When & Where:

HOURS

• Monday – Friday, 7:00am – 4:30pm.
• Occasional evenings and/or weekends may be required for meetings or special events.
• On occasion duties may be necessary, as well as responding to issues, outside of normal working hours (e.g., disaster response, community events, etc.

TRAVEL

• Occasional daytime travel required, up to 20% of work week within the local service area.
• Current driver’s license with copy of current auto insurance and acceptable Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) results required.

Is this you?

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business or logistics preferred.

Experience: 7-10 years of Operations Management experience within warehouse and logistics environment. Food industry experience desirable. Multi‑site experience preferred.

Skills & Capabilities

Organize, coordinate, and direct projects and operational priorities.

Hire, train, coach, and effectively manage performance across a team of salaried exempt, salaried nonexempt and hourly employees.

Communicate clearly and effectively in both oral and written form with leaders, staff, partners, vendors, and other stakeholders.

Strong vendor, negotiation, and third‑party management skills.

Use data, KPIs, and operational systems to identify opportunities, solve problems, and improve performance.

Build strong cross‑functional partnerships and leverage shared resources to achieve organizational goals.

Ability to develop, and sustain, a culture that aligns with the values of a mission‑driven organization, creating a space for employees to grown, develop and provide feedback to improve their day‑to‑day work.

Allowable Substitutions

Combination of education, experience, and/or training that provides the required knowledge and skills for the position may be considered in lieu of education/experience at the organization’s discretion.

Job Family Competencies

Coaching/Developing Others, Leadership/Strategic Thinking, Influence, and Project Management

Other requirements

Our pre-hire process requires acceptable results from the following: professional reference feedback, criminal background, Motor Vehicle Record. Current Driver’s License and automobile insurance are also required. Criminal backgrounds are evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis considering several factors (timing, frequency, severity and job relation).

What Second Harvest has to offer

Work with a purpose: As one of middle Tennessee’s largest nonprofits, our local hunger relief work is uniquely rewarding, hands on and solutions oriented. We are innovative, mission‑focused, diverse, collaborative, values‑driven and focused on results. A career with Second Harvest ensures that you not only earn a paycheck, but also help your local community through meaningful work. If you are passionate about serving your neighbors in need and are committed to our mission to nourish and empower people, we invite you to join our 120+ person team in the fight against hunger, as we work to achieve our vision of a community where everyone has equitable access to the food and resources they need.

Award winning workplace: we are a best‑in‑class workplace because we are passionate and people focused – we listen, respect, care and challenge each other, so that our neighbors can count on us. Our employees have identified us among The Tennessean’s Top Workplaces based solely on employee surveys and feedback. There is ample opportunity to be engaged, have work‑life‑balance and grow with Second Harvest.

Compensation & Benefits: Second Harvest is proud to offer rich and affordable total compensation packages. Full‑time employment includes 34+ days off, medical (employee‑only is 100% employer paid), dental, vision, 403b retirement (up to 3% match, 5% base, length of service vesting), disability insurance (short and long term) and long‑term care insurance.

DEIB & Equal Employment Opportunity

Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee provides equal employment to all applicants and employees based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. We do not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. We believe that inclusion and belonging strengthen our team, drive innovation, and enhance our ability to serve our community.