Director of Food Bank Operations

Director of Food Bank Operations – Foodlink Inc
• Rochester, NY, US Job Description

Foodlink is seeking a strong, mission-driven leader to provide strategic oversight and coordination of Foodlink’s food bank operations. Our 70,000+ square foot warehouse distributes more than 25 million pounds of food annually to a network of more than 400 emergency food programs throughout our 10‑county service area. The logistics of distributing food are complex, with many regulatory requirements, and must always be mission-oriented and community-centered.

Department: Food Bank Reports to: VP, Food Bank Status: Full time, Exempt Job Level: Grade #8 – Departmental Leadership Role Updated: December 2025

• Guide and inspire teams to fulfill Foodlink’s mission, ensuring daily operations reflect organizational values and a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Embody The Foodlink Way by collaborating across teams, adapting to challenges, taking ownership of outcomes, and leading with compassion for staff, partners, and the community.
• Act as a steward of Foodlink’s resources, making informed, mission aligned‑decisions even amidst uncertainty.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with diverse audiences, ensuring understanding across internal teams, partner agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Demonstrate strong systems thinking, challenge the status quo, and identify future opportunities to improve operations.

• Provide strategic and hands‑on leadership for order fulfillment, shipping, receiving, and distribution operations.
• Oversee receiving, product storage, inventory movement, order fulfillment, and delivery processes to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and safety.
• Ensure compliance with AIB food safety regulations, Feeding America standards, OSHA requirements, and internal policies.
• Monitor operational KPIs and use data to drive continuous improvement and decision‑making.

• Directly supervise the Food Bank Logistics Manager and Food Bank Fulfillment Manager, effectively delegating and empowering them to achieve goals.
• Provide clear, timely feedback and coaching to support the growth and development of team members.
• Build trust by leading with empathy, accountability, and alignment with Foodlink values, policies, and practices.
• Celebrate team wins and contributions, fostering a positive and collaborative culture.
• Resolve conflict effectively and engage in difficult conversations with composure and emotional self‑awareness.
• Promote a healthy, sustainable workload for self and others.

• Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, reduce waste, and improve service levels.
• Lead or support implementation of systems, equipment, or technologies that enhance operational efficiency and lower cost.
• Encourage curiosity, continuous learning, and adaptability across the distribution center team.
• Use data, feedback, and frontline insights to inform improvements and future planning.

• Create and manage the annual operations budget, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and resource stewardship expectations.
• Monitor monthly financial performance, analyze variances, and adjust operational plans as needed.
• Ensure cost‑effective use of labor, equipment, supplies, and contracted services.
• Collaborate with Finance to support forecasting, grant reporting, and long‑term financial planning.
• Make operational decisions that balance efficiency, service quality, and financial responsibility.

• Partner with Member Services, Procurement, Finance, Development, and Facilities to ensure seamless coordination and support for partners and community initiatives.
• Support emergency food distribution efforts and community response operations as needed.
• Communicate operational needs, constraints, and opportunities to leadership.
• Model team‑first collaboration by working across departments to solve problems and advance shared goals.

• Lead with curiosity, seek feedback, and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning.
• Take responsibility for…