Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is the leading local hunger-relief organization in the state with locations in Milwaukee and Appleton. Founded in 1982 by the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is a local and independent member of the Feeding America network. Driven by our mission to solve hunger, we are bringing more people together around the table to collaboratively address the root causes of hunger. Together with our network partners, we serve nearly half a million food-insecure people across 35 counties in eastern Wisconsin each year.
JOB PURPOSE:
The Operations Manager is responsible for managing the food bank’s daily operations in the general areas of warehouse and inventory, warehouse staff, volunteerism, and oversight of warehouse facilities. This position must work closely with the Operational team to provide input and carry out operational strategies and processes as well as ensure safe and efficient warehouse operations. The Operations Manager is responsible for carrying out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with FAEW’s policies.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:
Warehouse & Inventory Operations
- Oversee daily warehouse operations including receiving, inventory control, fulfillment, and product storage.
- Maintain the accuracy and integrity of the inventory control system through routine cycle counts and audits.
- Ensure efficient warehouse processes that support inventory accuracy, product availability, and partner fulfillment.
- Ensure all available products are accurately posted in Primarius Web Windows (PWW).
- Coordinate and plan warehouse replenishment loads in collaboration with warehouse teams.
- Perform or support warehouse activities including order picking, receiving, cleaning, and product processing when operational needs require.
- Identify opportunities to improve warehouse processes, efficiency, safety practices, and operational performance.
Government Program Operations
- Oversee operational components of government programs including TEFAP and CSFP.
- Manage ordering, receiving, inventory management, and reporting requirements associated with these programs.
- Receipt, invoice, and schedule all monthly TEFAP and CSFP orders for the service footprint.
- Complete required Operations checklist tasks for end-of-month closing in coordination with Finance.
Volunteer Program Operations
- Provide leadership and oversight for the APL Volunteer Engagement Coordinator and the volunteer program.
- Ensure volunteers are effectively integrated into warehouse operations to support fulfillment and food distribution activities.
- Work collaboratively with the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator to align volunteer activities with product availability and operational priorities.
- Support the continued growth and sustainability of the volunteer program.
Safety & Compliance
- Lead a “Safety First” culture across all warehouse operations by promoting safe equipment use, managing the forklift impact alarm program, and coaching staff on safe work practices.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and standards, including AIB, DATCP, OSHA, and Feeding America National Organization requirements.
- Maintain warehouse, equipment, and storage areas to meet regulatory standards, including cleaning logs, temperature logs, and disposal tracking.
- Ensure staff are trained and follow established safety procedures.
Team Leadership & Staff Development
- Supervise APL warehouse staff, Operations Coordinators, and the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator.
- Conduct hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, and corrective actions as needed.
- Hold regular 1:1 meetings with staff to provide coaching, feedback, and professional development.
- Monitor employee performance and attendance while ensuring accountability and alignment with organizational expectations.
- Approve timecards and time-off requests to ensure appropriate staffing coverage.
Operational Coordination & Cross-Department Collaboration
- Work closely with the Logistics Manager to coordinate incoming and outgoing deliveries and pickups.
- Collaborate with other departments, including Food Systems, Finance, HR, Development, Partnerships, Volunteer Programs, and IT to support operational initiatives.
- Communicate partner and donor concerns to the operations team and Distribution Coordinator and develop solutions to improve partner experience.
- Ensure operational performance standards are met across fulfillment, receiving, inventory management, and logistics coordination.
Facilities Oversight
- In collaboration with the Director of Operations and on-site facilities team, oversee the maintenance and improvement of the Appleton warehouse facility.
- Communicate facility needs, coordinate vendor support, and ensure equipment is maintained and repaired as needed.
- Order necessary operational supplies and ensure warehouse infrastructure supports safe and efficient operations.
Other Responsibilities
- Maintain and update Operations Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Create and support a positive and collaborative workplace culture through transparent communication.
- Support operational strategy set by leadership and ensure performance goals are met or exceeded.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Commitment to understand and support FAEW’s mission, vision, and effective actions to end food insecurity and its causes
- Respect for the people FAEW serves and commitment to learn the causes of their food insecurity and need
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college preferred. (Production, Warehouse, or Distribution Management).
- Three- Five years of distribution/warehouse management experience; knowledge of food warehousing preferred.
- Forklift/power equipment certification, must be able to be certified within two weeks of hire.
- Exceptional customer service skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to learn and use warehouse inventory systems such as Primarius.
- Proficiency with MS Office software, including intermediate-to-advanced level Excel skills.
- Good math aptitude and attention to detail.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
- A positive, team-oriented mindset with a “can-do” approach to supporting the organization, demonstrating cross-functional collaboration and a focus on developing solutions.
- Ability to work safely following FAEW safety procedures.
- Demonstrate the ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be open-minded of differing opinions and views.
- Must be or become within one month of employment ServeSafe Certified
- Ability to see, talk and hear to exchange accurate information.
- Ability to use keyboard, manipulate objects or controls, and reach with hands and arms.
- Must have a valid driver’s license, automobile insurance that meets Feeding America’s liability requirements, and transportation to travel to work sites.
- Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, bend, twist, climb, reach above shoulders, kneel, squat, sit, stand, talk and/or hear, and/or use hands to lift, handle, or touch objects, tools, or controls. The employee must have the ability to work in a cold environment -10 to +10 degrees Fahrenheit. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds while moving inventory. The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
Protective Clothing Required: Closed-toe shoes, Warm clothing when working in cold environment.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in a warehouse environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an individual encounter while performing the essential functions of this position.
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. FAEW prohibits discrimination against any applicant or employee on the basis of age, race, color, creed, religion, disability, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, arrest or conviction record, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.