National Operations Director

About The Common Market

The Common Market is a nonprofit local food distributor working to build a more resilient and equitable food system. We connect small and mid-scale family farms to schools hospitals and other institutions while upholding rigorous standards for food safetyoperationalexcellence and values-driven procurement.

We operate multiple warehouse and truckingoperationsacross regions and are entering a phase that requiresstrong experiencedoperationalleadership.

Position Summary

TheNational Operations Directoris the senior leader responsible forthe end-to-end execution of warehouse operations trucking food safety andoperationalperformance across multiple sites.

This is ahands-on executive role. TheDirectorwill spend significant time in warehouses and on the road working directly withOperationsManagers drivers warehouse associates and sanitation teamswhile also serving as a core member of the executive leadership team responsible for strategy systems and performance.

This role is ideal for a seasonedoperationsleader who haspersonally owned food safety fleet and multi-site execution and who is comfortable moving between the warehouse floor and the senior leadership team.

Highly skilled and experienced operations leader with hands-on warehouse food safety and fleet management. Adept in process and people management and business analytics that drive both performance and operational excellence through KPIs. The ideal candidate will have the aptitude and commitment to advance to VP of Operations within 12-18 months.

What Youll Be Responsible For

Multi-SiteOperationsLeadership

• Leadoperationsacross multiple warehouses including trucking warehouse sanitation and facilities
• Manage and developOperationsManagers and ensure consistent execution of SOPs across sites
• Spend regular time working out of regional warehouses when not traveling

Food Safety & Compliance (Direct Ownership)

• Own the organizationsfood safety program across all sites including SQF FSMA and PCQI requirements
• Lead audit readiness corrective actions and continuous improvement across warehouses
• Manage and support site-level SQF Practitioners and ensure backup coverage
• Oversee supplier food safety documentation and compliance systems

Fleet & Facilities

• Lead oversight of afleet of 20 trucks including PM compliance safety and utilization
• Ensure effective use of telematics temperature monitoring and maintenance systems
• Oversee facilities refrigeration docks and material-handling equipment across sites

Hourly Workforce Leadership

• Provide direct leadership coaching and accountability for hourly warehouse and driver teams (through managers)
• Ensure strong safety culture performance management and clear expectations
• Partner with HR on hiring training performance evaluations and corrective actions

Strategy KPIs & Financial Management

• Develop and executeoperationsstrategy aligned with organizational goals
• Build and maintainoperationalKPIs for warehouse trucking and food and workplace safety
• Use Excel and data fromoperationalplatforms to generate reports and dashboards
• Leadoperationalplanning budgeting inputs and performance reviews

Who This Role Is For

This role is for someone who:

• Hasmanagedoperationsacross multiple warehousesand knows how to enforce consistency without being everywhere
• Haspersonally owned a food safety programfor a food distributor or food manufacturer
• Has led afleet of at least 10 trucksand understands the realities of drivers maintenance and compliance
• Is comfortable workingdirectly with hourly staffand also contributing at the executive level
• Is energized by ahands-on resource-constrained environmentwhere leaders build systems not inherit them
• Lives in (or is willing to relocate to)Atlanta Chicago Houston or Philadelphiaand expects to work out of a warehouse regularly

Who This Role Is Not For

This role isnota good fit if you:

• Prefer a fully remote or office-only executive role
• Have overseenoperationsonly through consultants or indirect reports
• Have limited exposure to food safety audits SQF or multi-site compliance
• Are uncomfortable managing drivers warehouse teams or safety issues directly
• Expect large corporate infrastructure extensive support teams or abundant resources

Qualifications

• 10 years of progressiveoperationsleadership in food distribution food manufacturing logistics or supply chain
• Demonstrated experience managingmulti-site warehouseoperations
• Direct ownership offood safety programs(SQF FSMA PCQI)
• Experience leading afleet of 10 trucks
• Strong Excel skills and ability to build data mine and interpretoperationalreports and KPIs
• Proven ability to lead hourly teams and develop managers
• Willingness to travel approximately40% of the time
• Advanced business analytics and implementation skills

Bachelors degree required. Advanced degrees welcome but not required.

Why This Role Matters

This is a pivotal moment for The Common Market. TheVPofOperationswill play a central role in strengthening our infrastructure supporting our teams and ensuring we can scale our impact while maintaining safety quality and mission alignment.

• Salary:$120k-$130k annual
• Make an impactby connecting institutions with healthy local food while supporting family farms.
• Collaborate with a passionate mission-driven teamworking to build a better food system.
• Opportunity for growthin a dynamic and expanding organization.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• 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)

Required Experience:

Director