PLEASE NOTE: To receive full consideration for this position, please submit the requested information at https://armstrongmcguire.applytojob.com/apply/7KoyfYVPHW/Chief-Operating-Officer--MANNA-FoodBank
The Opportunity
This is an incredible opportunity for an experienced and team-oriented leader looking for a long-term commitment to join a trusted nonprofit organization with an experienced board, an amazing staff, and thousands of devoted volunteers. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will join a team that involves, educates, and unites people in the work of ending hunger in Western North Carolina. MANNA FoodBank is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization.
The COO is responsible for advancing MANNA’s mission through strategic short and long-term planning and oversight of food sourcing, storage, and distribution activities across the 16 counties of Western North Carolina and the Qualla boundary. The COO has the overall responsibility to oversee MANNA's operational, agency relations, programs, and facility related functions including warehouse operations, logistics, inventory management, food sourcing and processing, safety, process improvement, agency relations and programs, and building and equipment maintenance. As a key member of the leadership team, the COO will participate in the strategic planning and oversight for the entire food bank. The COO will ensure operational processes are in compliance with applicable Federal, State, and Local laws, as well as Feeding America guidelines and contracts.
The COO reports directly to the CEO and is an active member of the leadership team. The COO works closely with the Board of Directors.
The Ideal Candidate Profile
- Strong Operational Experience
The COO will have demonstrated experience with warehousing and operations with a talent for building and improving processes that are efficient and reliable. They will have demonstrated experience in strategy development and systems integration, particularly within the realm of food sourcing, storage, and distribution. The ideal candidate will be a lifelong learner with a passion for designing solutions to look at our operational practices and processes and recommend strategies to meet organizational needs. Experience with food banking, the charitable food system, and/or the food industry is preferred.
Team Connector
The ideal candidate models and leads effective teamwork, ensuring connectivity between departments and strong communication and accountability. This leader removes barriers and helps teams navigate and adapt through changes. The ideal candidate can balance collaboration and efficiency, understanding where input is needed while getting things done. The COO will have a high level of emotional intelligence and demonstrated ability to quickly build trust and credibility with others, fostering an engaging, creative, and humble team culture. The COO will have an engaging and creative character that can fully leverage the strengths of the whole team towards the mission.
They will be skilled at listening to and learning from others with a deep belief in fostering a transparent, empowered, and productive organizational culture. The COO will recognize the importance of the commitment of staff and will foster an atmosphere of collaboration and partnership across the organization.
Strategic and Organizational Skills
The COO should have experience both in strategic plan development and in creating and meeting annual organizational or department goals. The COO will have experience and understanding of managing organizational teams and budgets. They will be familiar with management of multiple funding streams, including individual giving, government programs, contracts for service, and grant support. They will be highly strategic, setting priorities decisively but collaboratively, delegating responsibilities, and ensuring accountability. They will have experience anticipating organizational needs and planning for systems that work together to meet the mission. They will also effectively use technology including Microsoft Office applications, online grant applications, and other software. Knowledge of or experience with the charitable food system is preferred.
Effective communicator and trusted partner
All of these skills should be supported by a strong foundation of excellent communication and team building skills. The COO will have the ability to clearly communicate and collaborate with a wide range of people, including food bank Board members, staff, and external partners. They will be committed to providing exceptional customer service to neighbors, volunteers, partners, and staff, representing MANNA FoodBank in diverse settings. They will possess strong listening skills and be solutions-oriented using data, input, and projections to help the organization make sound decisions.
The COO will embody the values and mission of the organization by embracing inclusivity and caring. They will develop relationships with the Board, peers, staff, volunteers, and partners so all can belong, contribute, and succeed. The COO will have a collaborative spirit and unquestioned integrity, ethics, and values; someone who can be trusted without reservation.
Why MANNA FoodBank?
MANNA FoodBank, located in Asheville, North Carolina, is a private, not-for-profit service organization working to end food insecurity in the 16 counties of Western North Carolina, including the Qualla Boundary.
At the forefront of the daily work of food distribution is a partner network of nonprofit organizations across Western North Carolina driven by caring people who are passionate about serving our communities’ most basic needs. The MANNA Partner Network is a 200+ member alliance of food pantries, meal providers, domestic violence and housing insecure shelters, care centers for seniors and children, and other direct human service organizations who also provide free food to the community they support.
MANNA sources food to fill the pipeline to this dedicated network, and together with an army of volunteers, distributes more than 50,000 pounds of food, every day of the year, to our WNC friends and neighbors who can’t afford groceries.
People experiencing hunger and food insecurity in our region are at the center of our actions and decisions. We envision a hunger-free Western North Carolina where everyone can participate, prosper, and have access to food that is both nourishing and culturally responsive. We recognize that systemic injustices and oppression exist, and that these create and perpetuate conditions that sustain poverty, hunger, and health disparities.
Understanding this, we commit to serving marginalized communities, in both urban and rural environments, in ways that value identity, lived experiences, and unique barriers to accessing food. We resolve to educate ourselves, listen to our communities, elevate marginalized voices, and respond to bias and inequities that occur. We confront oppression and poverty by developing solutions to hunger that are community-driven, equitable, accessible, honor a diversity of needs, and value everyone. Our food programs and public policy efforts aim to build a society where everyone can thrive—celebrating our differences and working together to overcome injustices that might divide us… because no one should be hungry.
Stewardship Commitment: As an excellent steward of the public trust, the COO must uphold the highest ethical standards and transparency with financial accountability. MANNA has achieved a Charity Navigator four-star rating for 12 consecutive years, placing MANNA FoodBank in the top 2% of nonprofits nationwide.
Want to know more? Visit MANNA FoodBank’s website at www.mannafoodbank.org.
Key qualifications sought in the COO
- Professionally and personally uphold our core values of compassion, collaboration, accountability, and integrity.
- Must have at least five years managerial responsibility in operations/warehousing (preferably in the food industry)
- Strong physical capacity and the ability to operate and become certified in the operation of all warehouse handling equipment
- 4-year college diploma or equivalent
- Must provide proof of current, valid North Carolina driver’s license with clean MVR and auto insurance.
- Experience working with volunteers is preferred.
- Success working with a non-profit board of directors
- Cost conscious and problem-solving approach to daily work and oversight of expenditures to include making recommendations for changes to improve reporting to and through the departments or functions.
- Experience with food banks and the non-profit sector is favored.
Think you are the next MANNA FoodBank Chief Operating Officer?
To apply, click on the link to the Chief Operating Officer position profile at . You will see instructions for uploading your compelling cover letter, resume, salary requirements, and professional references. Please provide all requested information to be considered. In case of any technical problems, contact [email protected]. No phone calls, please, and no applications will be accepted by email or directly from third-party posting sites.
Review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Salary is commensurate with the requirements of the position and starts at $115K+. MANNA is also thrilled to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance, 401k with company match up to 3%, short term and long term disability insurance, 136 hours of PTO in the first year, paid lunches and breaks, 10 paid holidays, flexible schedule and more.
Typical schedule is Mon. – Fri. 8a – 4p with evening and weekend hours as needed. In instances of a federal, state or locally declared emergency or order, MANNA FoodBank is typically considered an essential service and emergency responder; all employees may be called upon to perform regular or emergent duties.
Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination: MANNA FoodBank is committed to equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. MANNA FoodBank does not discriminate with regards to hiring, assignment, promotion, or other conditions of staff employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected under local, state, or federal law.
MANNA embraces a philosophy that recognizes and values diversity by creating an environment of mutual respect, transparency, and sharing of different opinions and ideas. MANNA’s goal is to attract, develop, retain, and promote a talented and diverse workforce in a culture where all employees will contribute to their fullest potential. The celebration of inclusivity and diversity is essential to helping MANNA achieve its mission to involve, educate, and unite all people in the work of ending hunger in Western North Carolina.
