Dock Operations Lead

Dock Operations Lead

The Dock Operations Lead plays a critical role in the daily execution and coordination of dock operations, serving as a key communication and operational coordination resource between dock staff, operations leadership, sourcing, transportation, and external carriers. This position is responsible for ensuring accurate inspection, documentation, movement, shipping, and receiving of inventory while maintaining compliance with all food safety and sanitation standards, including American Institute of Baking (AIB), Feeding America (FA), and Food Bank of the Rockies (F ) requirements.

In this role, the Dock Operations Lead supports workflow coordination, identifies and escalates operational issues, resolves receiving discrepancies, and facilitates timely communication to promote safe, efficient, and consistent dock operations. The position serves as a key liaison for inbound donation and purchased products, collaborating closely with the Sourcing team, Operations Coordinator, and over-the-road drivers to ensure accurate receiving, inventory integrity, and efficient product flow.

What You'll Do

• Serve as the dock floor lead by coordinating daily workflow, supporting team execution, identifying process improvement opportunities, and escalating operational concerns as needed.
• Responsible for unloading and loading all inbound and outbound shipments safely, moving product to storage locations or distribution, and efficiently stacking and storing products in designated areas.
• Operate forklifts and other powered equipment to load, unload, move, locate, stack, and place inventory.
• Ensure the safe and efficient operation of forklifts and all dock-related equipment.
• Inspect, count, verify incoming donations and purchased product for accuracy, damage, infestation, temperature compliance, food safety, and overall product quality, escalating concerns as appropriate.
• Review, verify, and maintain purchase orders, donation orders, manifests, Bills of Lading (BOLs), and receiving documentation to ensure inventory accuracy, compliance, and timely resolution of inventory discrepancies and variances.
• Accurately utilize Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and Radio Frequency (RF) technology to support inventory management and operational execution.
• Process outbound deliveries and transfers, ensuring manifests, Bills of Lading, and supporting documentation are accurate and complete.
• Coordinate communication with the Sourcing team regarding inbound donations and purchased product, investigating and resolving discrepancies involving quantities, pricing, product substitutions, damages, quality concerns, documentation, and delivery exceptions.
• Serve as the dock-level liaison between Dock Operations, Sourcing, Transportation, Volunteer Operations, the Operations Coordinator, over-the-road drivers, and external carriers to ensure effective communication and execution of inbound and outbound operations.
• Support daily dock operations by coordinating dock door assignments, inbound and outbound traffic flow, cold and dry dock processing, and workload priorities while escalating operational constraints to the Dock Operations Supervisor
• Collaborate with the Operations Coordinator to support inbound scheduling, dock utilization, driver coordination, and daily operational priorities.
• Coordinate inventory requests, transfers, and allocations between the Aurora, Western Slope, and Wyoming Distribution Centers in alignment with established operational priorities.
• Uphold warehouse sanitation and food safety standards in accordance with Feeding America (FA), American Institute of Baking (AIB), and Food Bank of the Rockies (F ) guidelines.
• Communicate equipment, facility, and temperature-control concerns to operations leadership, including cooler and freezer issues.
• Assist in onboarding and training new dock team members on standard operating procedures and safe equipment operation.
• Serve as backup for outbound delivery loading and related distribution activities as needed.

How the Work Gets Done

The Dock Operations Lead demonstrates the following core competencies in daily practice:

• Instills Trust:
  Demonstrates integrity, reliability, and consistency in all dock operations by accurately documenting inventory, following food safety standards, and communicating openly about operational issues. Builds confidence with team members, volunteers, and leadership through dependable follow-through and a commitment to safety and compliance.
• Collaborates:
  Works effectively with dock staff, volunteers, transportation, distribution, and sourcing teams to ensure efficient inbound and outbound product flow. Shares information proactively, supports team goals, and fosters a cooperative work environment that promotes operational success.
• Customer-Centric Focus:
  Supports Food Bank of the Rockies' mission by ensuring donated and purchased food is received, handled, stored, and distributed accurately and efficiently to meet partner and community needs. Maintains a…