Director Of Operations

Company Description

Willing Hands’ Mission is to reduce food waste and expand equitable and reliable access to fresh foods. Willing Hands grows, gleans, and recovers nourishing fresh food and distributes it for free to our neighbors in need through a network of nearly 80 human service organizations in the greater Upper Valley region of Vermont and New Hampshire.

Location:

Norwich, VT | Category:
Agriculture / Nonprofit | Job type:
Full‑Time

Willing Hands is seeking a Director of Operations to provide senior leadership for our core operations. This role ensures our warehouse, fleet, facilities, and food recovery efforts run safely and smoothly, so that fresh, nourishing food reaches thousands of neighbors across the Upper Valley every week.

The Director of Operations ensures that Willing Hands’ core operational functions, including but not limited to warehouse operations, facilities, fleet, and food recovery logistics, run safely, efficiently, and in alignment with the organization’s mission. In partnership with the Executive Director, this position supports long‑term operational planning, informs and manages the organization‑wide expense budget, and participates in financial reporting. The role will also ensure compliance with safety and food‑handling standards and help maintain the organization’s infrastructure.

As a senior leadership position, the Director of Operations supports organization‑wide systems development, staff supervision, and serves as a key internal leader across multiple departments. This position serves on the Willing Hands Management Team.

• Warehouse and Delivery Operations – Oversight of all warehouse and delivery operations, including supervising the Operations Manager and supporting the operations team in SOP development, leading food recovery logistics, food sourcing, food pickup, and delivery. (40%)
• Capital Asset Management and Planning – Responsible for facilities and fleet management, including safety, maintenance, and capital planning. (10%)
• Organizational Leadership – Contribute to organization‑wide strategic planning and support the development team by providing operational insight and impact information. (10%)
• Financial Management – With the Executive Director, oversee all organizational budgeting and expense management. With the management team, lead short‑ and long‑term financial planning. (40%)
• Other related assignments as necessary.

Operations Manager, Part‑time Bookkeeper

• Ensure warehouse workflows support safe, efficient sorting, packing, and storage of fresh food.
• Work with the Operations Manager and Delivery Lead to maintain effective delivery routes and schedules.
• Uphold food safety procedures and ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
• Support the development of clear, written SOPs across operational areas.
• Support stewardship of existing and new food recovery partners.

• Manage maintenance and inspection schedules for all vehicles, refrigeration, and buildings.
• Create or maintain checklists and tracking systems for routine facilities upkeep.
• Support long‑term planning for equipment and vehicle replacement.
• Oversee IT systems and IT assets.

• Provide consistent supervision, coaching, and annual evaluations for direct reports.
• Help develop organization‑wide systems that improve clarity, communication, and safety.
• Support implementation of the organization’s strategic plan in collaboration with the Executive Director.
• Foster a positive, mission‑focused, safety‑oriented workplace culture.

• Oversee the development and management of the organization’s annual operating and capital budgets.
• Work with team leads to monitor departmental expenses, update projections, and report monthly.
• Provide operational cost information needed for grant reporting and in‑kind and restricted‑fund tracking.
• Track spending on fleet, facilities, and equipment to support accurate forecasting.

• Strong experience with financial management and…