Vice President of Community Impact

Position Title: Vice President (V.P.) of Community Impact

Supported by: President & CEO

FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-Time

Our Story:

Food Bank for the Heartland has connected our communities with food, resources, and hope since 1981. The fight against hunger is an ongoing, collaborative effort. We work with individuals, organizations, food manufacturers and distributors, grocery stores, the USDA, and Feeding America to procure food and purchase food to supplement donations. Through the collective power of our leadership, employees, partners, volunteers, and donors, we can reach more communities, serve more people, and address food insecurity more directly and effectively. As new needs arise, we are ready.

Our Philosophy: Every service we provide, program we offer, and decision we make is rooted in our core Mission, Vision, and Values.

In Short:

The Vice President of Impact's seat at our table plays an impactful role in connecting and building relationships within all areas of our organization, including the Board of Directors, partners, donors, employees, volunteers, contractors, and neighbors. This role oversees the organization's food-related operations and provides the unique opportunity to cultivate an innovative and mission-driven culture. This role is at the forefront of our innovation, as it oversees the areas of Distribution/Warehouse, Transportation, Quality Assurance, Network Relations, Public Benefits (SNAP), Volunteer Center, and Food Sourcing. The VP of Impact collaborates with other Vice Presidents, leaders, and stakeholders to ensure the efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance of food-related operational functions that are strategically sound and aligned with Food Bank for the Heartland’s mission, values, and goals. This is a role that will inspire you to think creatively and contribute to our mission in a meaningful way.

Your Mission:

• Executive Leadership Team: Serve as a member of the Food Bank’s Executive Team and support efforts toward achieving the Food Bank’s core mission, vision, values, and goals. These efforts include but are not limited to:
• Responsible for achieving the organization’s overall goals and operational objectives. Ensure that evaluation systems, including benchmarks, are in place for these goals and objectives. Monitor progress, ensure adherence, and evaluate performance. Develop, implement, and monitor systems and procedures to facilitate overall strategic initiatives and operations.
• Stay informed of departmental and organizational oversight developments of non-profit management and governance, Feeding America membership support, and the Food Bank's specific business; use this information to help the organization operate using initiatives and innovation.
• Provide support to the President, Board of Directors, Executive Team, Senior Leadership Team, and selected others in oversight areas.
• Work with various individuals to develop and maintain strategic perspectives on organizational direction, programs and services, decision-making, and ensuring the Food Bank's overall health and vitality.
• In partnership with the Board of Directors, Executive Leadership Team, and Senior Leadership Team, formulate and administer policies to ensure the integrity of the Food Bank.
• Act as an internal consultant to bring attention, awareness, and solutions to organizational priorities.
• Promote a high-performance culture and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to high quality.
• Provide support and liaison to other Food Banks, Industry Partners, the Board of Directors, and Feeding America, where relevant and appropriate.
• Acts as the staff resource for the Board of Directors Operations committee, effectively communicating and presenting critical operational matters to the Board of Directors in partnership with the other Executive and Senior Leaders. Participates in board and committee meetings as required.
• Develop progressive steps toward organizational and programmatic consistency and sustainability with the leadership team(s). Oversee research, analytics, trends, and program evaluation in support of the organization's strategic plan and annual goals.
• In partnership with the Executive Leadership Team and Senior Leadership Team, help develop the annual budget, long-term budgetary planning, and cost management to align with the organization's strategic goals.
• In partnership with the Board of Directors, Executive Leadership Team, and Senior Leadership Team, establish the organization's annual strategic direction and goals and assess metrics to ensure they are met and exceeded. Effectively communicate work plans and priorities derived from the strategic plan and yearly goals and assist with coordinating accountability, objectives, and associated budgets.
• Develop consistent and progressive steps toward organizational and programmatic consistency and sustainability with the leadership team. Oversee research, analysis, trends, and program evaluation supporting the organization’s strategic plan and annual goals.
• In collaboration with the leadership team, manage the organization’s risk management and meet regulatory and legal requirements, including but not limited to AIB, TEFAP, FANO, SNAP, TANF, (IA and NE) DHHS, and (IA and NE) NDE.
• Distribution Center & Transportation: You will be the driving force behind the high-impact strategy to enhance collaboration, communication, and impact throughout Food Bank for the Heartland by identifying, developing, and implementing strategies to improve performance and resilience in the distribution center and logistics departments.
• This role will be a change leader focusing on forward-looking insights and recommendations for the distribution center and logistics. It will lead to effective decision-making on the needs and direction of food-related operations.
• This role will develop and lead food-related operations and logistics trends that drive market disruption or merging focus areas. Innovation will be considered to drive growth.
• The primary focus will empower the operational and logistics team to partner with the FBFH community to scan for change signals, model different scenarios, align operational objectives with organizational strategy, monitor strategy execution, and manage end-to-end processes.
• Drive efforts to streamline and optimize distribution center and logistics processes to identify opportunities for efficiency gains, process improvements, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Partner closely with the distribution and logistics team to provide strong leadership and guidance. Fostering a culture of high performance, collaboration, and professional development. Mentor and coach team members to achieve their full potential.
• Assess and mitigate risks related to operational disruptions, market volatility, and organization need and demand. Develop contingency plans and resilience strategies to ensure business continuity and minimize operations disruptions.

• Network Relations: Provide strategic direction and leadership to the Network Relations department at FBFH. In this role, you will partner with the leaders in network relations to define the team’s strategy and vision for FBFH and support the organization's needs, mission, and strategic goals in serving our neighbors in need with equity, dignity, and respect. These efforts will be done by:
• Lead and support the Network Relations leadership team in the impact of successful Network Relations by developing, delivering, maintaining, and enhancing creative and innovative network programs to distribute emergency and supplemental food.
• Support and lead accountability methodologies to ensure the successful delivery of new and existing network partnerships, program performance monitoring, problem resolution standards, initiatives to increase food access and food distribution strategies that serve people experiencing food insecurity, regional-specific strategy to address food insecurity, and evolving methodologies for programs that will continue to meet the organization's mission.
• Design, develop, and execute a strategic plan that aligns with organizational strategies and addresses current and emerging community needs to improve the quality and quantity of program options for food distribution.
• Collaborate with the Agency Advisory board to understand gap analysis, trends, and needs to align the organizational strategy and objectives with community needs.
• Drive definition and implementation of program changes and enhancements to the partnerships that support network operations, including meeting all operational and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with Network Relations Team Leaders to support activities or projects of community-driven, governmental, or community-based organizations that address barriers to food access.
• Support, develop, and drive the network relations team to standardized program support quality standards, high performance, and innovative team metrics.
• Food Sourcing: Direct and support the Food Sourcing Team, focusing on sustainability and industry relationships while shaping the strategic future outlook of food sourcing’s commitment to securing high-quality, nutritious food to supply to our FBFH partners. Develop and lead strategic planning, tactical development, and budget creation and adherence.
• Support and lead a high-performing food-sourcing team that is committed to securing food by driving strategic initiatives that increase the efficiency of the purchasing and donation processes, allowing the department to function at the highest level of productivity.
• Drive food purchasing and donation strategies based on knowledge of the food distribution industry. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the food industry's continued development and our communities' needs.
• Lead strategic initiatives that manage an acceptable level of inventory, which best enhances FBFH's operational position while reflecting organizational standards in negotiating with vendors for the best price and utilizing food donation opportunities.
• Support efforts to optimize the end-to-end operations of food sourcing, including demand forecasting, inventory management, and distribution strategies.
• Support the partnership among food sourcing and Feeding America in developing, implementing, and monitoring the compressive food sourcing plan. Strengthen Food Bank for Heartland’s position as a future leader in the processing, manufacturing, and distributing of meat, produce, and dairy products.
• Guides and leads the Food Sourcing team to collaborate cross-functionally to align departmental strategy with overall organizational goals by supporting and developing a high-functioning team that fosters trust and innovation by:
• Cultivate partnerships with the External Affairs team to support the production centers' drives, initiatives, and objectives around volunteer recruitment and experiences.
• Build and strengthen relationship-building and stewardship efforts for corporate food and fund donors.
• Ensure advanced production center strategies and objectives are implemented to support the organization's operational demands and mission.
• Public Benefits: Support and develop the programmatic vision and direction of the public benefits sector, including the FBFH SNAP programs. Promote and cultivate partnerships with the public benefits team to develop strategies and innovative initiatives to access public benefits to serve individuals experiencing food insecurity.
• Lead and foster the cross-departmental advocacy initiatives for Food Bank for the Heartland by collaborating with the External Affairs team.
• Ensure initiatives are developed with accountable delivery that embodies the public benefits program, focusing on eligibility, participation, hunger, and poverty metrics and data.
• Drive strategic initiatives around collaborating with community-based partners to promote educational opportunities, application assistance, and resources to reach individuals with food insecurity.
• Align the organization's strategic initiatives with advocacy initiatives that reflect the fluid changes in the advocacy environment, specifically around public benefits. Network and partner with other organizations' initiatives, such as Feeding America, the Iowa Food Bank Association, the Iowa and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, and the FBFH External Affairs Team.
• Other duties entrusted within your scope of practice.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Commitment to the FBFH mission and values
• Strong computer and technology skills around Microsoft Office and general technology.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills focusing on relationship-building, listening, and support.
• Consistent organizational skills with a passion for thriving in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment.
• Ability to consistently commit to trustworthiness, dependability, and reliability.
• Skilled at defining organizational goals, supporting departmental goals, and being accountable to those goals.
• Ability to support the Board of Directors, President & CEO, other Executive Team members, and Senior Leadership team.
• Ability to think strategically and be a visionary leader.
• Ability to define needed internal controls and policies to safeguard FBFH, reduce liability, and manage risk.
• Be fiscally responsible and accountable to the budget.
• Ability and skill to serve as an ambassador of FBFH with the ability to speak to your area of expertise.
• Ability to protect and enhance the FBFH brand with the goal of FBFH maintaining a positive public image.
  
  
  

Your Story:

• A bachelor’s degree in a related field is required. Master’s degree preferred.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of senior-level leadership managing cross-functional teams within areas of operations, distribution, public benefits, food sourcing/procurement, network relations, or logistics.
• A minimum of five (5) years of demonstrated experience generating outcomes within programs/projects, staff development, strategic development and initiatives, financial budgeting, and forecasting.
• Lived experience with the impacts of systemic racism or marginalization is a plus.
• Years of experience can substitute for education.
  
  
  

About The Team:

Everyone at Food Bank for the Heartland, from our administrative staff and warehouse employees to our team members working in partnership in the various community locations, shares a common vision: to help eliminate hunger in our service area—one initiative, program, and thoughtful decision at a time. Our culture is committed to welcoming you to our table, supporting your passion and drive, and focusing on diversity, growth, and community involvement.

This role is vital to the Food Bank for the Heartlands’ Executive Leadership Team, Distribution Team, Logistics Team, Food Sourcing Team, Network Relations Team, Public Benefits Team, Quality Assurance Team, and Production Center Team.

We provide an environment to help you succeed.

Food Bank for the Heartland is an equal-opportunity employer, and we’re excited to work with talented and empathetic people of all identities. As required by law and in line with our commitment to diversity, inclusion, belonging, and equity, FBFH does not discriminate based on someone’s identity in any aspect of hiring or employment. Our code of conduct provides a beacon for the kind of company we strive to be, and we celebrate our differences. FBFH will consider all qualified applicants.

FBFH is committed to inclusions. As part of this commitment, FBFH welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities and will work to provide reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodations are needed to participate in the job application or interview process, don't hesitate to get in touch with adurr@foodbankheartland.org

Support your well-being.

We offer medical, retirement, supplemental, and leave benefits. We also have resources, such as our Employee Assistance Program, to support your mental health.