General Manager

Context:

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

As our national network continues to grow our ability to deliver on this mission depends on strong reliable and values-aligned operations. From warehouse teams and drivers to customer support and sales our operational performance is critical to ensuring consistent high-quality service.

To support the continued growth and performance of our Philadelphia market The Common Market is seeking a General Manager to lead site operations develop frontline teams and ensure excellence across warehouse trucking and food safety systems. This role will play a critical part in ensuring we consistently deliver on our commitments to customers farmers and communities.

Role Description:

The General Manager is responsible for leading and owning the day-to-day and long-term performance of The Common Markets Philadelphia distribution facility with oversight of warehouse operations trucking food safety and frontline team leadership.

This role sits at the intersection of operations people and performance. The General Manager ensures that systems are executed with consistency and discipline while also building the structure accountability and team capability needed to support growth.

Working in close partnership with the Executive Director Sales Customer Support and National Operations this role owns execution through others while ensuring alignment across teams. The General Manager is responsible for delivering operational results while continuously improving systems processes and team performance.

This is a highly hands-on leadership role for someone who is energized by building strong teams improving operations and driving consistent execution in a fast-paced distribution environment.

The General Manager holds primary accountability for site-level performance including operational execution team effectiveness and cost management. This role is expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy in day-to-day decision-making ensuring the facility and fleet run effectively without requiring constant executive oversight.

Candidate Profile:

The ideal candidate is an experienced operations leader who combines strong execution with the ability to build structure develop people and drive performance across a complex multi-function operation.

They are comfortable leading frontline teams managing competing priorities and ensuring that daily operations run smoothly while also identifying and implementing improvements.

They are equally comfortable on the warehouse floor reviewing performance metrics directing staff coordinating with cross-functional partners scheduling repairs and making real-time decisions that impact service cost and safety.

Snapshot of the Ideal Candidate:

Operational Leader & Owner: Leads full-site operations with accountability for performance safety and execution.

Frontline Team Builder: Develops supervisors and hourly staff building a culture of accountability safety and strong performance.

Food Safety Leader: Maintains strong command of SQF HACCP FSMA programs.

Logistics & Fleet Operator: Oversees routing delivery performance maintenance and fleet coordination.

Business-Minded Operator: Understands cost service levels and operational tradeoffs.

Problem Solver & Decision Maker: Navigates shifting priorities with strong follow-through.

Professional Foundation: 712 years relevant experience; 35 years team leadership.

Who This Role Is Not for:

This role may not be the right fit for candidates who:

Prefer Strategy Over Execution.

Avoid Direct People Management.

Lack Food or Operational Experience.

Prefer Predictable Environments.

Are Seeking Remote Roles.

Position Description:

Site Leadership & Operational Ownership

Own overall performance of the Philadelphia facility.

Own overall performance of the Philadelphia facility including safety service levels productivity and cost control with accountability for meeting defined operational and financial targets.

Ensure alignment between daily operations and organizational goals.

Identify risks and implement solutions to improve performance and reliability.

Maintain accountability for operational standards across all functions.

Warehouse Operations

Oversee all warehouse activities to ensure efficient and accurate product flow.

Oversee receiving picking packing staging and shipping operations.

Ensure inventory accuracy through disciplined processes and controls.

Maintain efficient warehouse layout and material flow.

Enforce SOP adherence and continuous process improvement.

Transportation & Fleet Oversight

Ensure reliable safe and efficient delivery operations.

Oversee routing execution delivery performance and driver scheduling.

Manage fleet operations (8-truck fleet) including preventative maintenance coordination and repairs.

Ensure DOT compliance driver safety and route efficiency.

Food Safety & Quality (SQF Program Owner)

Maintain strong food safety systems and compliance.

Serve as site lead for the SQF Food Safety program.

Ensure compliance with SQF HACCP FSMA and customer requirements.

Lead audits corrective actions and continuous improvement efforts.

Maintain audit readiness at all times.

People Leadership & Team Development

Build strong teams and consistent performance across staff.

Lead coach and develop supervisors warehouse associates and drivers.

Build effective staffing plans and schedules aligned with workload.

Drive performance management accountability and recognition.

Support hiring onboarding and ongoing staff development.

Lead hiring decisions staffing structure and performance management for all site-based roles ensuring alignment with operational needs.

Financial & Performance Management

Ensure operational performance aligns with cost and efficiency goals.

Manage labor and operating costs in alignment with budget targets.

Track KPIs: productivity accuracy safety service level and labor efficiency.

Use data to drive decisions and continuous improvement.

Develop and manage site-level labor and operating budgets in partnership with leadership with accountability for cost performance and efficiency improvements.

Cross-Functional Leadership

Ensure alignment across teams to support operational success.

Partner with Sales and Customer Support.

Collaborate with National Operations on process improvements.

Serve as the primary operational leader for the Philadelphia market.

Serve as the primary decision-maker for site-level operational priorities balancing customer needs operational capacity and organizational goals.

Success in This Role Looks Like

The site consistently meets or exceeds service safety and accuracy targets.

Labor and operating costs are managed effectively against plan.

The team operates with strong accountability and low turnover.

Food safety audits are passed with minimal corrective actions.

Operational issues are identified and resolved proactively without escalation.

Requirements:

Qualifications

Bachelors degree or equivalent experience.

712 years of experience in operations logistics or distribution environments.

35 years managing frontline or supervisory teams.

Experience in food handling environments required.

Experience managing a trucking fleet and drivers. Refrigerated trucking preferred.

SQF HACCP FSMA or equivalent experience required.

Strong organizational and communication skills.

Location & Travel

This role is based in Philadelphia and requires full-time onsite presence at the distribution facility.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: $100000 annually

Health Care Plan (Medical Dental & Vision)

Retirement Plan (SIMPLE IRA with 100% employer match)

Life Insurance (100% Employer Paid Life AD&D Short and Long-Term Disability)

Paid Time Off (Vacation Sick & Public Holidays)

Required Experience:

Director