Vice President of Operations | Second Harvest Food BankKeep 50 million meals a year moving. Lead the operations behind South Louisiana's fight against hunger. Second Harvest Food Bank leads the fight against hunger in South Louisiana, supporting 500+ community partners and programs across 23 parishes and distributing the equivalent of more than 50 million meals a year. As Vice President of Operations, you'll lead one of the region's most sophisticated food distribution networks, and every improvement in efficiency you make will translate into more meals delivered and more lives impacted. About Second Harvest Second Harvest Food Bank leads the fight against hunger in South Louisiana by providing food access, advocacy, education, and disaster response. Second Harvest provides food and support to 500+ community partners and programs across 23 parishes. Our staff and volunteers distribute the equivalent of more than 50 million meals a year. Through our food distribution programs, community kitchen meal service, nutrition education, and public benefits assistance, we are helping to create pathways out of poverty. Every year, Second Harvest secures millions of pounds of food that otherwise would have gone to waste. Our work helps ensure that these meals make it to the dinner tables of thousands of families struggling with hunger in South Louisiana.
The Opportunity:
This opportunity comes at an exciting time in Second Harvest's evolution as the organization continues to expand its capacity to serve communities across South Louisiana while responding to increasing demand for food assistance. With a strong operational foundation already in place, the organization is investing in the systems, infrastructure, and leadership necessary to support continued growth, innovation, and long-term sustainability. The Vice President of Operations will play a central role in shaping that future. Beyond overseeing the day-to-day execution of the food distribution network, this leader will strengthen organizational systems, champion continuous improvement, and help position Second Harvest to respond effectively to both everyday needs and large-scale disasters. From optimizing logistics and facilities to leading cross-functional initiatives and supporting strategic expansion, the role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact across every aspect of the organization's operations. At Second Harvest, operations are at the heart of the mission. Leadership is collaborative, innovation is encouraged, and every improvement in efficiency ultimately translates into more meals delivered and more lives impacted. For a leader who thrives in complex, mission-driven environments and is energized by building high-performing teams, solving operational challenges, and creating lasting organizational capacity, this role offers the opportunity to leave a significant and enduring legacy.
Position Summary:
The Vice President of Operations (VP, Operations) serves as the senior leader responsible for the strategic direction, oversight, and optimization of Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana's operational functions, ensuring the efficient, safe, and effective distribution of food and resources throughout the organization's 23-parish service area. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, this role provides visionary leadership to strengthen operational excellence, enhance organizational capacity, and support the Food Bank's long-term mission and sustainability. The VP, Operations leads a high-performing, cross-functional team encompassing warehouse operations, distribution, transportation and fleet, facilities, and inventory management, driving an integrated, data-informed approach to logistics, process improvement, and service delivery. In close partnership with the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and Board of Directors, the VP, Operations ensures operational readiness, regulatory compliance, and organizational resilience while positioning Second Harvest to expand its impact and effectively serve communities across Southeast Louisiana.
What You'll Do:- Recommend, plan, and coordinate all ongoing activities associated with both East and West Regional Operations of Second Harvest Food Bank.
- Recruit, motivate, and lead a high-performance team of individuals who support and execute the daily mission of the Company.
- Develop annual goals and objectives for Operations and coordinate those with the Executive Leadership team, working as part of the EL team to develop the short and long-term sustainable strategic plans of the company.
- Work collaboratively with EL members to oversee the development and implementation of plans for program/service expansion within the framework of strategic objectives and budgets.
- Develop and implement sustainable strategies for Operations.
- Develop annual operating and capital budgets for Operations, and manage resources and assets to achieve all budgetary requirements.
- Instill the principles of project management and establish a culture of continuous improvement, identifying and driving change initiatives, acting as a change agent, and operating in a manner that effectively and efficiently uses the resources available.
- Manage the company's project portfolio.
- Exhibit strong business acumen by offering advice, guidance, and direction on business matters, including policies and procedures, new initiatives, and problem-solving.
- Review operating results against established goals, both operational and financial, and implement corrective action as required.
- Develop and mentor staff so that their full potential is achieved.
- Conduct performance/development reviews for all direct reports, and ensure all members of operations have set goals and are accountable to those goals.
- What the Ideal Candidate BringsThe ideal candidate will possess many of these professional and personal abilities and attributes:
- Proven ability to make effective decisions, allocate resources, and prioritize operational objectives in a fast-paced, growth environment.
- Proven experience in developing and implementing strategic plans.
- Demonstrated experience in driving continuous improvement and organizational change.
- Experience in formal project management, with the ability to manage and oversee complex projects including construction, renovation, expansions, and new programs.
- Strong financial acumen as well as quantitative, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- The ability to establish a sense of urgency within Operations to complete tasks and assignments on time and within budget.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
- Excellent presentation skills and the ability to present complex information to staff, Executive leadership, major donors/corporations, and the Board of Directors.
- The ability to interface effectively with the Board, Executive leadership team, staff, network of agencies, government and civic leaders.
- Working knowledge of MS Office, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Qualifications: Required
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field.
Experience:
5-10 years of progressive operations experience in a multi-facility environment, 5 of which are at a senior level. Experience must include fleet management, warehousing, transportation, food distribution, inventory control, warehouse management systems, and budgeting. Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including nights or weekends if required. Allowable Substitutions: A combination of education, experience, and/or training that provides the required knowledge and skills for the position may be considered in lieu of education and/or experience at the company's discretion.
Position Details
Employment type: Full-time
Compensation: A competitive salary commensurate with experience ($150,000)
Benefits:
An excellent package of employee benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, professional development, leave, and holidays.
Work environment:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position operates primarily in an office setting and requires sitting at a desk and in meetings for long periods of time, with extensive computer work and frequent interruptions. Routine travel to meetings, functions, and special events is normal. Occasionally, warehouse duties for repack or salvage may be required, as well as the need to respond to issues outside of normal working hours (e.g., special events, disaster response, etc.). The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry objects. With forklift traffic in the facility and product stacked and stored throughout, this position requires someone who is mobile and who can watch for traffic and normal hazards of a warehouse environment.
How to Apply:
Interested applicants should send a resume and a statement of interest to Ryan Rasmussen, Partner & Recruiter, at rrasmussen@thinkingahead.com. Reach out to learn more or nominate a qualified candidate.
