Director of Operations

About this position

Director of Operations – Food Production & Distribution

Location: New York City — onsite, with travel between facilities
Employment Type: Full-time
Compensation:130K to 140K

A growing food production and distribution company is seeking a hands-on Director of Operations to lead daily operations, strengthen execution, and build the processes needed to support continued growth.

This leader will oversee the flow of work from production planning through packaging, warehousing, dispatch, and delivery. The ideal candidate combines operational discipline with strong people leadership and is comfortable moving between the production floor, team coaching, financial analysis, and long-term planning.

The Director of Operations will establish clear expectations, improve coordination across departments, and ensure products are prepared and delivered safely, accurately, efficiently, and on time.

Working closely with executive leadership and partners in Finance, Human Resources, Culinary, and Quality Assurance, this leader will translate business priorities into practical operating plans, measurable goals, and consistent daily routines.

• Lead daily food production, packaging, warehouse, dispatch, and distribution operations across facilities.
• Align production schedules, staffing, equipment, inventory, and delivery capacity with customer demand.
• Establish clear ownership and communication between departments to prevent missed handoffs and service disruptions.
• Anticipate operational challenges and resolve issues involving staffing, equipment, product availability, or delivery execution.
• Maintain a regular presence on the floor to assess performance, support managers, and address barriers.

• Partner with Culinary and Quality Assurance to ensure consistent execution of recipes, portions, specifications, packaging, and labeling requirements.
• Ensure teams follow established food safety, sanitation, temperature-control, storage, and traceability procedures.
• Oversee production readiness, equipment availability, and preventive maintenance coordination.
• Support inspections, audits, incident reviews, and timely completion of corrective actions.
• Promote a workplace where employees promptly report safety hazards, quality concerns, and equipment issues.

• Partner with Finance to develop and manage operating budgets, labor plans, and performance targets.
• Monitor labor utilization, overtime, production output, waste, inventory accuracy, and distribution costs.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce avoidable costs, and strengthen margins while maintaining quality and service.
• Establish operational dashboards and lead regular reviews with department leaders.
• Recommend investments in equipment, systems, staffing, and facility improvements based on business needs.

• Oversee receiving, storage, inventory rotation, order fulfillment, loading, and dispatch practices.
• Strengthen inventory controls and coordination with purchasing to reduce shortages, excess inventory, and spoilage.
• Ensure accurate orders, reliable delivery schedules, and effective communication when service issues arise.
• Partner with distribution leaders to improve route execution, vehicle readiness, and delivery performance.

• Lead, coach, and develop department managers, supervisors, and frontline teams.
• Set clear performance expectations and hold leaders accountable for results and follow-through.
• Partner with Human Resources on hiring, onboarding, training, staffing plans, and performance management.
• Ensure managers maintain accurate schedules and time records and consistently administer company policies.
• Build a respectful work environment that encourages communication, collaboration, and employee development.

• Develop and maintain practical standard operating procedures across operational functions.
• Introduce consistent daily planning meetings, shift handoffs, escalation procedures, and reporting routines.
• Improve the use of operational systems to support planning, inventory visibility, production tracking, and accountability.
• Lead process improvements and change initiatives as the business grows.
• Assess capacity and operational readiness for new customers, increased volume, and expanded services.

Significant progressive leadership experience in high-volume food production, commissary operations, food manufacturing, prepared meals, catering, or a related environment.

• Experience overseeing multiple operational functions, including production, packaging, warehousing, and distribution.
• Demonstrated success leading managers and frontline teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of food safety, sanitation, quality controls, and workplace safety.
• Experience managing budgets, labor costs, productivity, inventory, waste, and operational performance.
• Ability to interpret data, identify root causes, and turn findings into practical improvements.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience implementing SOPs, improving systems, and leading teams through growth or operational change.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets and operational planning or reporting systems.
• Bachelor’s degree in operations, business, supply chain, food science, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience welcomed.

• English/Spanish bilingual communication skills preferred.

• Production and deliveries consistently meet quality, accuracy, and timing expectations.
• Department leaders understand their responsibilities and follow through on commitments.
• Staffing and production plans reflect demand and available capacity.
• Operational decisions are supported by reliable performance data.
• Waste, avoidable overtime, inventory discrepancies, and recurring service issues decrease.
• Teams follow consistent processes and maintain safe, organized facilities.
• Work Environment & Schedule
• This is an onsite leadership role requiring regular presence in production, warehouse, and distribution environments. The schedule may include early mornings, evenings, or weekends based on operational needs. Travel between New York City facilities is required.
• How to Apply
• Submit your résumé highlighting relevant experience leading food production and distribution operations, developing teams, and improving operational performance.
• We are an equal opportunity employer and consider qualified applicants without regard to characteristics protected by applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are available during the application process and employment.

Location

New York .

The source lists New York but does not specify a city. Check the original listing for the work location and any remote-work conditions.

How to apply

Review the vacancy and complete the application on the employer or recruitment partner’s website. Requisition ID: WJ-3238412835.