Non-Profit Executive Director

Context

The Common Market is a nonprofit social enterprise working to build a more resilient and equitable food system. Through regional chapters we connect family farmers to the people and institutions that need their food the most schools hospitals universities and community organizations.

Our Southeast Chapter headquartered in Atlanta serves Georgia Alabama South Carolina and North Carolina partnering with dozens of regional producers and institutional buyers to advance health wealth and sustainability across the region.

As The Common Market enters its next phase of national growth we seek a dynamic entrepreneurial Executive Director to lead the Southeast Chapter overseeing operations sales and community partnerships while representing the organization as a trusted regional leader in values-based procurement and local food distribution.

Role Description

As the senior leader of The Common Market Southeast the Executive Director drives the regions strategy culture and performance ensuring excellence in operations growth in sales and partnerships and alignment with our national mission and values.

This leader brings together people systems and vision to ensure that the Southeast Chapter operates with both heart and discipline. They oversee a diverse team across warehouse operations logistics and partnerships; manage the Chapters P&L; and nurture relationships with farmers institutional customers and community partners.

A collaborative member of The Common Markets national leadership team the Executive Director ensures that the Southeast Chapter contributes powerfully to the organizations impact nationwide demonstrating what an equitable regional food system can achieve.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a mission-driven business leader who combines operational excellence with strategic insight and deep community engagement. They are equally comfortable walking the warehouse floor meeting with a hospital systems foodservice director or representing The Common Market at a statewide food policy summit.

They are a skilled manager and communicator who can inspire a team build trusted relationships and execute with discipline. They understand the complex intersections of food systems supply chains health and equity and they thrive on making them work better for all.

Snapshot of the Ideal Candidate

Operational Leader: Skilled in managing complex supply chains warehouse operations and logistics with a focus on food safety quality and efficiency.

Business Strategist: Understands financial performance margin management and growth; experienced in social enterprise or mission-driven business.

Relationship Builder: Builds authentic trust-based relationships with farmers institutional customers and partners across sectors.

Collaborative Coach: Leads through partnership and empowerment; builds confidence and accountability across diverse teams.

Community Champion: Deeply committed to equity sustainability and strengthening regional food economies.

Results-Oriented Manager: Sets clear goals tracks performance and ensures that strategy translates into measurable outcomes.

Professional Foundation: 710 years in operations sales or general management; experience managing P&L leading teams of 10 staff; background in food systems logistics or distribution preferred; nonprofit or social enterprise experience a plus.

Position Description

Organizational Leadership

• Lead the Southeast Chapters team including operations sales and customer service with a focus on collaboration accountability and growth.
• Partner with the National Operations Sales and Development teams to align goals systems and processes across the organization.
• Champion a culture of safety learning and inclusion; ensure team members are engaged supported and developed.
• Serve as the public face of The Common Market Southeast representing the organization to funders policymakers and community leaders.

Operations and Performance

• Ensure the efficient operation of the Atlanta warehouse and regional logistics network maintaining compliance with all food safety DOT and operational standards.
• Oversee fulfillment transportation and inventory management to ensure on-time high-quality delivery to customers.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with producers and food hubs across the Southeast to strengthen supply chains and expand product offerings.
• Drive continuous improvement in efficiency accuracy and safety through data and disciplined systems.

Sales Partnerships and Philanthropy

• Develop and execute regional sales strategies to achieve revenue goals and expand institutional partnerships (schools hospitals universities and distributors).
• Partner with the national Sales and Development teams to cultivate philanthropic relationships that advance the Chapters mission and sustain local programmatic initiatives (e.g. food access programs farm capacity-building community partnerships).
• Serve as a trusted and persuasive ambassador for The Common Markets mission connecting philanthropic and market partners to opportunities for impact in the region.
• Support the Sales teams in cultivating and retaining key customers ensuring satisfaction retention and long-term growth.

Financial Stewardship

• Manage the Chapters P&L ensuring sustainable financial performance aligned with mission impact.
• Prepare and monitor annual budgets; forecast revenue and expenses; and ensure fiscal discipline and transparency.
• Collaborate with the national team on funding opportunities grants and programmatic partnerships.

Strategic and External Engagement

• Serve as a thought leader and advocate for regional food systems representing The Common Market in coalitions and public forums.
• Partner with other Chapter Executive Directors to share learnings build consistency and strengthen the national network.
• Contribute to national strategy discussions helping to shape The Common Markets evolution as a national organization rooted in local relationships.

• Qualifications
• Minimum 710 years of progressive leadership in operations supply chain food distribution or mission-driven enterprise.
• Demonstrated success leading teams managing budgets and delivering measurable performance outcomes.
• Strong relationship management skills with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Financial acumen and comfort with P&L oversight budgeting and reporting.
• Familiarity with Salesforce inventory management systems and warehouse management software a plus.
• Deep commitment to food systems change racial equity and community wealth-building.
• Location & Travel
• Based in Atlanta GA with regular presence at the regional warehouse.
• Regional travel required (approximately 2030%) across Georgia Alabama South Carolina and North Carolina.

• $130k annually
• Health Care Plan (Medical Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (SIMPLE IRA with 100% employer match)
• Life Insurance (100% Employer Paid Life AD&D Short Term and Long Term Disability)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation Sick & Public Holidays)
• Training & Development

Required Experience:

Director