Food to Freedom Operations Manager

Job Description

Job Description:\n\nSalary: $85,000 to $95,000 Position Title: Food to Freedom Operations Manager FLSA: Exempt, Full-Time Pay Range: Starting at $85,000 to $95,000, annually with full benefits Schedule: 40 hours/week | Monday - Friday, some nights and weekends Location: 100% In-Person, on-site in San Francisco, CA Start Date: January 15th, 2026 Mission: Booker T. Washington Community Service Center (BTWCSC) is one of the Bay Areas oldest Black-led, Black-serving nonprofit organizations with a century of service to San Francisco. A beacon of Black joy and self-determination, we have nurtured over five generations of Black San Franciscans. We stand embedded as an anchor institution, fostering intergenerational bonds and working in solidarity with allied communities to reform and reimagine a more inclusive San Francisco. We prioritize serving the Black community and welcome all from cultures and ages 0-99 who walk through our door. We are one of the few urban spaces where anyone in the community can access comprehensive services, from a hot meal to childcare to academic support to senior services. Summary: BTWCSC seeks a highly-experienced and operationally-driven Food to Freedom Operations Manager to protect our community's right to healthy, culturally appropriate food produced sustainably. This role involves building and operationalizing BTWCSCs self-sustaining food supply within the community to reduce dependency on external food sources, enhancing the District 5 neighborhoods nutritional well-being with access to fresh, and healthy foods; building meaningful economic partnerships with local farmers, chefs and producer communities; leading a team to seamlessly deliver culturally-affirming services in a timely and efficient manner. The Operations Manager will also ensure BTWCSCs food justice vision is operationalized across its major program areas. This manager role requires a seasoned food and agricultural industry worker with exceptional skills in operations, people management, logistics, good food procurement and vendor relations. The Manager will also be responsible for the overall success of our robust community food procurement and distribution programs, including our daily community meals, CSA boxes and weekly Friday Fresh markets, ensuring the timely and safe distribution of high-quality, nutritious food. As directed by the Senior Manager of Food Sovereignty, this employee will ensure equitable access to and distribution of food within the Fillmore/Western Addition and broader San Francisco community, applying best practices in food safety, health, and nutrition and a participant-centered approach. The Operations Manager will coordinate and collaborate with all staff and activities associated with all BTW food programs. By taking advantage of this opportunity, the Food to Freedom Operations Manager will contribute to the organization's mission of meeting community needs by providing efficient and effective program operations that enhance BTWCSC's commitment to excellence. Essential Duties: Supervision and People Management:Serve as a role model for F2F Team; demonstrates executive functioning and ability to deliver great internal and external client service.Supervise BTW Food to Freedom staff using the organizations servant leadership philosophy, coaching staff towards a culture of excellence, including (1) Food Justice Coordinator and (2) Food Justice Liaisons, (2) Food to Freedom Specialists (seasonal), and other hourly staff and/or volunteers. Serve as a conduit for clear and timely communication between leadership and frontline staff.Manage administrative functions, including scheduling procurement, tracking and documentation for all food-related programs.Contribute to team decision-making on staffing, structure, and operational design to improve program effectiveness and impact. Program Operations & Systems Management:Maintain the daily operations of food programs, ensuring staff have the tools, technology, and resources necessary to deliver food services efficiently and safely.Lead the operational logistics and implementation of BTWCSCs seasonal, weekly and daily food justice programs, including client choice markets, CSA boxes, community grocery and meal distribution, and special events.Work directly with BTW Operations and Facilities Director and Operations staff for the assessment, improvement, procurement, and consistent cleaning and maintenance of food program physical infrastructure elements and assets such as cold storage, storage areas, inventory rooms, equipment, food packaging, etc.Support BTWCSC signature holidays, events and additional food programs such as November and December holidays, Black History Month, Juneteenth etc.Develop, implement, and regularly assess for improvement the operational systems and SOPs for inventory management, ordering, distribution, volunteer coordination, and food safety.Provide high-level oversight of customer service and hospitality practices, resolving participant concerns quickly and professionally.Coordinate food delivery schedules with vendors, staff, and the Operations team to support seamless logistics. Food Supply Coordination & Safety:Manage all aspects of food supply, including ordering, purchasing, receiving, storage, rotation, and distribution in accordance with health and safety regulations. Prioritize zero-waste practices.Conduct regular inventory checks and ensure compliance with expiration dates, storage standards, and sanitation protocols.Support and maintain procedures to ensure facility readiness, equipment maintenance, and compliance with state and local health codes.Coordinate pickups, deliveries, and food rescue efforts with donors, partners, and volunteers.Lead menu planning and culturally relevant food programming in partnership with mission-aligned chefs, farmers, producers and nutrition professionals.Develop policies around food use and disposal, integrating zero-waste and sustainability practices. Vendor Partnerships and Development:Build and maintain sustainable and direct relationships with new and existing agency partners, food justice organizations, artisan producers, distributors, vendors, community chefs, and local farmers and farmer co-operatives.Ensure principles and veracity of good food partnerships with relationship building, farm to plate growing practices, farm and kitchen visits, healthy menu and grocery/pantry development. Reporting & Continuous Improvement:Support the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on food program operations, outcomes, and community impact.Utilize data insights to inform decision-making, improve service delivery, and guide future programming, operations, and food procurement and distribution.Support evaluation activities that measure the impact of food distribution on family stability, health, and food security. Qualifications and Skills Required:3+ years of experience in food, agricultural production, restaurant, grocery retail or hospitality experience in a fast-paced setting, preferably in an operations and/or management position.HS diploma or equivalent is required. A college degree in culinary sciences, food systems, sustainability, nutrition, environmental science, public health, community development, social work or equivalent experience is highly preferred.Direct experience in direct service and/or client management is preferred.2+ years of demonstrated experience leading, coaching and collaborating with a team.Demonstrated experience in managing program and/or food budgets, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring fiscal responsibility and sustainability using spreadsheets or related databases in regular reporting intervalsProven experience in sustainable and direct food sourcing based on seasonality.Maintain inventory based on lean principles focused on meeting client/community food needs limiting waste. Strong grasp of standard inventory management terms and practices such as COGS, FIFO, establishing par levels, etc.Demonstrated knowledge of the food and nutrition, inequities, social and cultural needs of underserved communities and the historical and contemporary impacts of racism and structural inequities.Demonstrated experience with providing racially and culturally-responsive services and programs for diverse populations, preferred.Lived experience with Black/African-American communities and/or communities of color and/or navigating housing insecurity and/or the justice system preferred.Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with staff, clients, volunteers, community stakeholders, funders and government agencies.Demonstrates professionalism, socioemotional intelligence, and integrity.Excellent verbal, writing, and comprehension skills.Demonstrates strong project management skills and the keen ability to plan, implement, and execute. Ability to work with diversity and challenge, establishing and maintaining working relationships with producers, farmers, co-workers, volunteers.Ability to manage staff and contribute to strategic hiring decisions.Demonstrated excellence in organizational and systems planning and implementation.Demonstrated interpersonal skills including flexibility and the ability to listen, negotiate and collaborate with various stakeholders.Proactive, organized, independent, motivated and detailed oriented manager.Experience in successful people management and acute soft skills.Ability to work independently and be both creative and strategic when confronted with complex and multifaceted opportunities and challenges.A positive attitude, compassion, and strong team-oriented work ethic.Strong applicants must have the ability to be flexible and adapt to change.Google Suite, MS Excel proficiency required with a strong preference for candidates with experience in managing and/or implementing inventory management systems Certification, Licensure, Training: Applicants must complete all requirements below:Current CA Drivers License, current auto insurance, and a clean driving record.Current CPR & First Aid Certificate (every two years after that)ServSafe Certification, California Food Handler card is required within 30 days post-hire. BTWCSC provides on-site paid training and certification.Clearance Child Mandated Reporting (can be completed upon hire) Professional Expectations:Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs for vulnerable populationsWorks effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions.Builds rapport and relates well to others.Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another.Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience.Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for clients.Pursues self-development that enhances job performance.Demonstrates an openness to change and seeks opportunities in the change process. Physical Requirements:Must be able to move 50 pounds safely. Must have the physical stamina and the ability to perform repetitive tasks involving lifting, bending, and standing for extended periods. Common demands include lifting items, pushing and pulling carts, and working in varied temperatures, including refrigerated and outdoor areas. Hand use: single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing, and pulling. Work requires the following motions: bending, twisting, squatting, and reaching. Exposure to temperatures: <32 degrees Fahrenheit (freezing), 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit (refrigerators), >90 degrees Fahrenheit. Ability to work in a wet and cold environment. Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, some nights and weekends. Additional hours may be required for program activities including but not limited to, BTW staff events, evening and late-night duty, and staff meetings; a calendar will be provided. Benefits: BTWCSC offers a competitive compensation package with paid time off and holidays, generous health and retirement benefits, and a salary commensurate with experience. This position is full-time and exempt with an annual salary range of $85,000 to $95,000 plus a full benefits package, including: 100% employer covered excellent health, dental, and vision benefitsPaid time off, including 15 days paid vacation, plus holidays and Center breaks/closuresWorkers' compensation;Employee assistance program;Monthly wellness benefit after 90 days;Access to daily chef-cooked meals and snacks;Commuter benefits;Life and disability insurance401(k) with employer contributionProfessional development opportunities, including conferences, seminars, webinars, and training. BTWCSC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion, or any other classification protected by law. According to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. To Apply, please submit the following:A brief cover letter detailing your fit and qualifications for the positionCopy of any relevant certificationsResume or CVMinimum of 2 references, including at least one recent supervisorApplication submission screening will be completed on a rolling basisApplicants must pass a full background check and Live Scan