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.
The Logistics Manager is responsible for overseeing all transportation and inter-warehouse logistics to ensure the efficient, timely, and safe movement of food donations and deliveries across Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin’s network. This role plays a vital part in connecting donors, partners, and warehouse locations to support the organization’s mission of reducing food insecurity.
The Logistics Manager leads a dynamic team in a fast-paced environment where plans frequently shift. They must excel at clear communication, rapid problem-solving, and inspiring a positive, mission-driven mindset across teams and partners—even under pressure. The role includes full oversight of the motor carrier fleet, drivers, and related resources, ensuring compliance with safety, regulatory, and company policies.
In alignment with direction from the Director of Food Systems, the Logistics Manager will continuously evaluate and improve systems and processes to strengthen operational efficiency, maintain compliance, and ensure transportation operations remain responsive to the evolving needs of the communities we serve while providing equitable distribution of food and resources across food bank campuses.
Requirements
- Manage all aspects of fleet operations, ensuring driver and vehicle safety and full compliance with DOT regulations. Oversee the safe transportation of food, adhering to food safety standards and training drivers on AIB best practices, including safe food handling and temperature control.
- Serve as the primary logistics liaison across warehouse locations. Plan and manage the timely transfer of food inventory based on supply and program needs. Monitor inventory movement and coordinate proactively with operations managers to align distribution goals.
- Coordinate efficient pickup schedules with food donors (e.g., grocers, farms, manufacturers) and collaborate with partners to meet delivery requirements. Support development and program teams by ensuring logistics for special food distribution events are executed smoothly.
- Ensure equity of inventory options across both facilities by collaborating closely with Operations Managers and the Operations Experience Manager to align availability and access throughout the organization’s footprint.
- Clearly and promptly communicate logistics updates, delays, and changes to internal teams, drivers, partners, and donors. Lead regular check-ins with warehouse, programs, and development teams to align needs and share updates.
- Maintain detailed fleet operation records, including mileage, fuel usage, and service schedules. Manage transportation-related expenses within approved budgets, including vendor relationships and fuel accounts. Ensure regular safety inspections and documentation are up to date.
- Supervise drivers and transportation staff, ensuring adherence to safety protocols and performance standards. Lead hiring, onboarding, and ongoing training initiatives. Support drivers during emergencies and maintain regular communication with vehicles in transit.
- Foster a positive, solutions-focused culture within the logistics team. Coach and motivate staff to maintain high performance and customer service, especially during last-minute changes or unexpected challenges. Lead by example with a calm, mission-driven approach.
- Identify and schedule third-party carriers as needed. Approve related invoices and organize documentation (e.g., BOLs, receipts). Communicate shipping costs for purchased products to inform accurate cost and pricing decisions.
- Oversee and manage all aspects of vehicle operations, including company cars. This includes ensuring timely insurance renewals, license and plate registrations, oil changes, and other preventive maintenance. Maintain and manage the company car usage schedule.
- Track and report on delivery performance, route efficiency, and fleet utilization. Identify opportunities to improve service and reduce costs. Provide logistics data for internal planning, audits, grant reporting, and leadership review.
- Continuously identify and recommend operational improvements. Participate in debriefs following major distributions or seasonal events to suggest process changes. Work cross-functionally with warehouse, program, volunteer, and development teams to ensure logistics needs are integrated into planning.
- 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 understanding and supporting 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 in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or related field (or equivalent experience), preferred.
- 3+ years of experience in logistics or transportation coordination; non-profit or food bank experience preferred.
- Forklift/power equipment certification, needed, must be able to be certified within two weeks of hire.
- Excellent oral and written communication, critical thinking, and decision-making skills. Strong organizational and interpersonal abilities with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across cross-functional teams and with a diverse workforce.
- 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 work in a fast-paced environment
- Proficiency in logistics or routing software (Road-Net), MS Office software, including intermediate-to-advanced level Excel skills
- Good math aptitude and attention to detail
- Must have a valid driver’s license, automobile insurance that meets Feeding America’s liability requirements, and transportation to travel to work sites.
- Valid CDL Class A driver’s license and clear driving record, preferred.
- 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 sit, talk and/or hear, and/or use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, and/or walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds while moving files or small packages. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. 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: None
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in an office/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