Senior Director of Supply Chain

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionPOSITION SUMMARY:

The Senior Director of Supply Chain (SDSC) engageswith Northwest Harvest’s goal of cutting hunger rates in half by 2028 by: being a forward-looking systems thinker, a creative and adaptive leader focused on measurable, cost-effective results, and a strategic partner to leaders in the Supply Chain (SC) department and across the organization; starting with “yes” to help create innovative values- and strategy-aligned programs and initiatives that reduce hunger; actively and collaboratively empowering the professional lives of all SC employees to be challenging and fulfilling; serving on the Finance & Operations Management Team and the Leadership Team; and putting into practice our Six Agreements and championing our Purpose-Driven, Anti-Racist, Connected, and Interwoven (PACI) framework. The SDSC provides the strategic vision for the department, and builds healthy, dynamic teams that work well together.

Schedule: This position may be required to work occasional off-shift hours as necessary for special events or other duties assigned.

Travel: This position requires 30-40% travel within the state of Washington.

RESPONSIBILITIES:This position is responsible for developing, implementing, managing, and leading Supply Chain’s strategic vision for eliminating hunger, while also managing the people who lead sourcing, storage, processing, and distribution of food in Washington State. This role also provides guidance and strategic support for organizational goals and initiatives executed and supported through the Supply Chain Department. All this is done using an equity lens that guides the direction of the work, and through enthusiastic engagement in the communities we serve in order to grow our understanding of needs statewide and finding creative solutions for them. Leadership

• Provide the strategic vision for the Supply Chain Department, and for how the team will work well across the organization
• Practice adaptive leadership, demonstrating:
  1. Purpose-driven; Anti-racist; Connected; Interwoven
  2. Team Leadership: ability to lead a diverse, multi‐dimensional, and cohesive team
  3. Flexibility: thrive on managing variety and complexity
  4. Leadership: a visionary, able to lead by example; a strong listener, decision-maker, and effective communicator supporting the agreed upon organization agenda; leads through influence
  5. Motivation: supports and inspires leaders and staff to accomplish the mission of the organization while holding true to its stated values
  6. Innovation: forward-thinking; listens for emerging trends from staff and communities; imaginative and able to translate new ideas into action
• As a member of the Finance & Operations Management team:
  1. Help ensure that programs, initiatives, budgets, and financial planning are aligned with our strategies
  2. Contribute to building a healthy, engaged, productive, and influential team committed to collaboration and innovation across all our organization’s activities
  3. Be a thought partner for leaders across the organization, and will lead with “yes” when exploring new, innovative ideas, programs, and initiatives
• As a member of the Leadership Team (LT):
  1. Contribute to the overall health of the LT by working to build trust, engaging in constructive conflict, demonstrating commitment to team decisions, holding oneself and others accountable, and focusing on results
  2. To support our strategy work, hold these responsibilities: know and be able to communicate the Four Strategies; appreciate that our strategy work is central to the achievement of Northwest Harvest’s vision to achieve equitable access to nutritious food for all in Washington State; communicate to the Supply Chain team (and, when applicable, to external audiences) about the strategies; and encourage the Supply Chain team to pursue engagement in the strategies directly or as a support function
• Represent the organization on external committees where strategic insight is needed
• Develop and maintain strategic working relationships in Washington State and nationally
• Champion race equity and inclusion

People Management & Team Building

• Build healthy, dynamic teams that work well together, with team members who understand their role and impact within and beyond the organization
• Act as a servant leader to directly supervise, support, professionally develop, hold accountable, and coach four direct reports: the Director of Sourcing & Procurement, Director of Yakima Distribution Center, Auburn Operations Manager, Spokane Operations Manager
• Work collaboratively across the department to foster and encourage a people-management culture that prioritizes unlocking the potential of all Supply Chain employees, and where every person feels connected to our mission and strategies, and is supported by adaptive, servant leaders

Supply Chain (SC)

• Provide vision, goals, and strategies for the Supply Chain Department, creating a SC Strategic Plan that will guide us for the next 5-10 years, maximizing our supply chain planning for statewide coverage and food accessibility, and with a focus on serving Black, Indigenous, and other people of color and people living in poverty
• Guide and support the Sourcing & Procurement team in developing and implementing strategies to optimize the flow of information for the procurement function throughout the organization
• Oversee and participate in key procurement relationships to ensure a reliable supply of goods and services
• Provide efficient and organizationally sound warehouse management processes, policies, procedures that follow baseline standards statewide
• Establish standards and procedures for supply chain & procurement, and distribution of product
• Plan and document processes and procedures to prepare goods for transportation that ensures compliance with regulations, and support drivers for external engagement as they represent the organization to ensure efficient and safe delivery
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and other relevant regulations
• Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure alignment and successful execution of supply chain strategies
• Innovate donated food procurement strategies with creative approaches to obtain food product by local sourcing and waste reduction, to provide high quality food product that are produced sustainably
• Monitor and track supply chain expenses such as labor, materials, and inventory costs, effectively manage budget and reporting accurately on progress made and challenges encountered, and provide explanations and observations as needed
• Lead efforts to optimize the supply chain network, including identifying opportunities for cost
• savings, sourcing, process improvements, partnerships, initiatives, and growth opportunities for the organization
• Collaborate with the Chief of Staff in review of all agreements/contracts with all vendors and suppliers

Perform other duties as assigned by the CFOO.

Equity and Inclusion

Demonstrate the initiative to learn and enhance skills that promote anti‐racism, cultural competency and an understanding of oppression and its impact.

Participate in intentional learning efforts, including events relating to understanding and dismantling institutional racism and building cultural competency.

RELATIONSHIPS:

Internal : Frequent discussion and collaboration with the Finance & Operations Management Team and the organization’s Leadership Team. Support and/or participation of organization wide teams developed to meet organization goals. Focus on the removal of roadblocks for all staff, including removal of silos that hinder productivity and effectiveness.

External: Frequent engagement with community statewide leaders in a variety of positions and organizations in creating a collaborative platform through which we collectively can have a greater impact on poverty and hunger.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A combination of real‐life experience, education, and training listed below provides an equivalent background to perform the work of this position.

Successful completion of background check is required.

Knowledge of:

• Insight into the root causes of hunger
• Appreciation for the experiences of people living in poverty and with food insecurity
• Deep understanding of and commitment to Northwest Harvest’s mission, vision, and values
• Strong management and organizational skills, managing conflicting priorities and deadlines, and an ability to work well within teams
• Experience and success in servant leadership: managing, inspiring, engaging, professionally-developing, and holding accountable a supply chain team within a collaborative work environment
• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams
• Proficiency with other organizational platforms such as ADP, SharePoint, and Microsoft Dynamics NAV systems, as well as other common video conference platforms, such as Zoom
• Supply chain management principles, practices, and strategies, including procurement, logistics, inventory management, and distribution
• Familiarity with relevant laws and regulations, including environmental, safety, and import/export guidelines
• Knowledge of the latest industry trends and emerging technologies that can drive efficiency and reduce distribution costs
• Knowledge in financial systems and Profit & Loss (P&L) management
• Knowledge of business functions and systems such as strategic development, planning, budgeting

Ability To:

• Understand individuals who have experienced poverty or food insecurity
• Demonstrate interest andcommitmentto supporting equity and inclusion for members of historically marginalized groups including racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA+ populations, and people living with disabilities
• Leadership:
  1. As an adaptive, servant leader, practice collaborative, persuasive, and transformative leadership styles, and lead through influence rather than relying solely on direct-line authority
  2. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and leadership to ensure a high degree of mutual accountability
  3. Navigate and lead through ambiguity while keeping team members engaged and encouraged
  4. Ask questions to understand the merits of different approaches and shift strategies in response to the demands of a situation
  5. Possess integrity, maturity, and ethical awareness
  6. Handle sensitive information with strict confidentiality
  7. Problem-solve in a collaborative, efficient, and effective manner
  8. Analyze issues, synthesize information, make evidence-based decisions, and learn from mistakes
  9. Cultivate and steward professional relationships with diverse constituencies
• Supply Chain Management:
  1. Create and implement the vision and strategy of the Supply Chain department
  2. Lead all Supply Chain management activities and initiatives
  3. Engage in the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) system
• Equity and Connectedness:
  1. Adopt the PACI (purpose-driven, anti-racist, connected, and interwoven) framework and practice the Six Agreements
  2. Support equity and inclusion for members of historically marginalized groups including racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA+ populations, and people living with disabilities
• Communication:
  1. Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing
  2. Listen and ask questions in order to understand
  3. Communicate complex supply chain concepts and issues and applicable legal requirements, policies and procedures to staff and leaders

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, supply chain management, logistics or a related field or an equal combination of education and relevant work experience with a personal orientation as a life-long learner

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum (7) seven+ years’ experience in adaptive leadership, this includes but is not limited to strengths in strategic thinking, culture alignment, and systems thinking with (3) three + years of people management experience.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Non- Profit experience is desired but not required
• Supply chain experience is desired

And DISCLAIMER:

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, or to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job. As an adaptive organization, responsibilities can and will change in alignment with greater efficiencies and mission metrics.

BENEFITS AND OTHER COMPENSATION:
Northwest Harvest offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package this includes but is not limited to; medical/dental/ vision/ insurance, long term disability insurance, Life/AD&D insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), 401(k) retirement plan, Vacation and Sick leave, 8 paid holidays; New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day, Floating holidays for you to use should you observe a holiday not outlined in Northwest Harvests current observed holidays or at your discretion, and birthday holiday. Employees are eligible to participate in payroll deducted supplemental benefits i.e., Flexible Spending account-HRA and DCE, various AFLAC and New York Life plans.