As a key member of the Executive Team, the COO serves as a strategic partner to the CEO and provides operational insight and reporting to the Board of Directors, supporting informed decision-making and organizational oversight. The COO will ensure that the Food Bank maintains compliance with all applicable State and Federal laws and Feeding America guidelines. The COO acts as the organization’s director in the absence of the CEO.
The COO demonstrates a deep commitment to social impact, ethical leadership, operational integrity, and respect for the dignity of those served. Models’ professionalism, accountability, and preparedness in all leadership responsibilities.
Leadership
• Provide day-to-day leadership and management to the organization that mirrors the mission and core values of the Food Bank.
• Foster a success-oriented, accountable environment within the organization.
• Create the structure and processes necessary to manage the department’s current activities and its projected growth, and communicate this through reporting to the Directors, CEO and Board of Directors.
• Translate organizational strategy into measurable operational goals, establishing performance metrics and accountability structures to support sustainable growth.
• Direct and implement short-term and long-range plans for Operations, Food Sourcing, Volunteer Activity, Partner Engagement, and Facilities based on broad organizational goals and growth objectives.
• Evaluate the results of department operations and programs regularly and report these results to the CEO and the Executive Team.
• Promote communication and adequate information flow within each of the teams in the department, across the department and the entire organization.
• Ensure that all functional activities are carried out in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and laws governing business operations.
• Assist the CEO in organizational strategic planning, coordinating policies, procedures, and reports and communicating these to the Board of Directors.
• Work with Feeding America to maintain all aspects of the Partner Food Bank Agreement and participate in Feeding America strategic initiatives to strengthen our network.
• Work with Feeding Alabama to advance statewide initiatives, including advocacy, shared resources and equitable distribution.
Operations
• Develop and implement plans for the operational infrastructure of systems, processes, and personnel designed to accommodate the objectives of the organization.
• Maintain the organization’s heavy equipment, fleet and related software.
• Coordinate efforts for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) for inventory and financial reporting.
• Work with the CEO to coordinate data sharing, quarterly progress reports (QPR) and network activity report (NAR) with Feeding America.
Sourcing
• Oversee food sourcing, inventory controls, and supply chain systems to ensure food safety, availability, and efficient and equitable distribution aligned with partner needs.
• Every two years, create and execute a food sourcing plan; assist in the service area assessment; and work with CEO to form an operational response plan based on community needs.
Competencies:
Strategic Leadership
• Guide the team through influence and collaboration; ability to prioritize and communicate with staff about key objectives necessary to achieve organization goals.
• Innovative and forward thinking and listens to emerging trends from staff and community; able to translate new ideas into action.
• Excellent relationship building skills with ability to communicate and work effectively with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner and gather and analyze information skillfully.
• Ability to delegate work assignments, providing authority to work independently and set expectations.
• Ability to motivate others to perform well and accept feedback from others.
• Willingness to make timely decisions and exhibits sound and accurate judgment.
Communications
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to relate well to all levels of CFB, ability to build appropriate rapport, ability to build constructive and effective relationships.
• Demonstrates group presentation skills and conducts productive meetings.
• Excellent people skills, including the ability to effectively coach and mentor team members, collaborate and build relationships, and leverage resources within the function and across the organization to achieve desired outcomes.
• Ability to communicate branded messages internally and externally (mission, vision, values).
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Minimum of five years of progressive leadership experience with demonstrated expertise in strategic planning and operational management
• Experience in logistics, supply chain, warehousing, transportation, or large-scale distribution required
• Demonstrated experience with data collection, relationship building, reporting and program evaluation
• Current SERV Safe Manager’s certification or ability to obtain within 3 months of hire.
• Willingness to obtain a forklift certification
• Valid driver’s license and good driving record.
• Ability to travel throughout service area for meetings.
• Commitment to understanding and supporting CFB’s mission and demonstrating compassion and an understanding of food insecurity.
• Ability to work with diverse groups of people and maintain a positive attitude, including staff, donors, students, youth, seniors, and developmentally challenged volunteers.
• Ability to work independently and exercise discretion, judgment and decision-making skills.
401(K) Retirement Plan- starts day one, employer match up to 6% after 12 months
Dental Insurance - 100% covered (after 30 days)
Vision Insurance - 100% covered (after 30 days)
Health Insurance - Single 90% covered; family 75% covered (after 30 days)
Parental Leave - 6 weeks paid after 6 months of service
Paid Time Off - 20 days
14 Paid Holidays per year
Cell Phone Stipend - $60.00 per month
Hiring Range $117,336-$146,707 plus a competitive benefit package
In 1982, a small group of committed volunteers worked side by side with the United Way of Central Alabama and the Greater Birmingham Foundation to open the Community Food Bank’s doors. In our early years, we focused solely on feeding neighbors in need of emergency food. In 2016, our Board of Directors took the bold step to broaden our mission and also address hunger’s root causes. Now we take a two-pronged approach to solving hunger.
We accomplish this mission by supplying millions of meals per year to over 230 Partner Agencies, like food pantries, shelters, and children’s programs in 12 counties across central Alabama. We aim to ensure people in need can access emergency food near where they live. Rather than duplicate services in communities, we partner with and enable local agencies to reach more people. When agencies partner with us, they have consistent access to fresh food that they distribute free of charge. When we identify a gap in this network that leaves our neighbors vulnerable to hunger, we operate direct meal programs. For example, we provide fresh produce and groceries to seniors, children at risk of hunger during school breaks, patients facing chronic illness, first-time mothers, and others in need. For easy access, we deliver to key locations like schools, senior housing facilities, medical clinics, and more.
The Community Food Bank also incubates social enterprises that promote nutrition, prevent wholesome food from going to waste, and test new initiatives that go beyond charity to create healthy food access for all.