Vice President of Operations

The Common Market • Full-time • Houston, Texas, United States • 2w ago

About The Common Market

The Common Market is a nonprofit local food distributor working to build a more resilient and equitable food system. We connect small and mid-scale family farms to schools, hospitals, and other institutions while upholding rigorous standards for food safety, operational excellence, and values-driven procurement.

We operate multiple warehouse and trucking operations across regions and are entering a phase that requires strong, experienced operational leadership.

Position Summary

The Vice President of Operations is the senior leader responsible for end-to-end execution of warehouse, trucking, food safety, and operational performance across multiple sites.

This is a hands-on executive role. The VP of Operations will spend significant time in warehouses and on the road, working directly with Operations Managers, drivers, warehouse associates, and sanitation teams—while also serving as a core member of the executive leadership team responsible for strategy, systems, and performance.

This role is ideal for a seasoned operations leader who has personally owned food safety, fleet, and multi-site execution and is comfortable moving between the warehouse floor and the senior leadership team.

What You’ll Be Responsible ForMulti-Site Operations Leadership

Lead operations across multiple warehouses, including trucking, warehouse, sanitation, and facilities
Manage and develop Operations Managers and ensure consistent execution of SOPs across sites
Spend regular time working out of regional warehouses when not traveling

Food Safety & Compliance (Direct Ownership)

Own the organization’s food safety program across all sites, including SQF, FSMA, and PCQI requirements
Lead audit readiness, corrective actions, and continuous improvement across warehouses
Manage and support site-level SQF Practitioners and ensure backup coverage
Oversee supplier food safety documentation and compliance systems

Fleet & Facilities

Lead oversight of a fleet of 20+ trucks, including PM, compliance, safety, and utilization
Ensure effective use of telematics, temperature monitoring, and maintenance systems
Oversee facilities, refrigeration, docks, and material-handling equipment across sites

Hourly Workforce Leadership

Provide direct leadership, coaching, and accountability for hourly warehouse and driver teams (through managers)
Ensure strong safety culture, performance management, and clear expectations
Partner with HR on hiring, training, performance evaluations, and corrective actions

Strategy, KPIs & Financial Management

Develop and execute operations strategy aligned with organizational goals
Build and maintain operational KPIs for warehouse, trucking, and food and workplace safety
Use Excel and data from operational platforms to generate reports and dashboards
Lead operational planning, budgeting inputs, and performance reviews

Who This Role Is For

This role is for someone who:

Has managed operations across multiple warehouses and knows how to enforce consistency without being everywhere
Has personally owned a food safety program for a food distributor or food manufacturer
Has led a fleet of at least 10 trucks and understands the realities of drivers, maintenance, and compliance
Is comfortable working directly with hourly staff and also contributing at the executive level
Is energized by a hands-on, resource-constrained environment where leaders build systems, not inherit them
Lives in (or is willing to relocate to) Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, or Philadelphia and expects to work out of a warehouse regularly

Who This Role Is Not For

This role is not a good fit if you:

Prefer a fully remote or office-only executive role
Have overseen operations only through consultants or indirect reports
Have limited exposure to food safety audits, SQF, or multi-site compliance
Are uncomfortable managing drivers, warehouse teams, or safety issues directly
Expect large corporate infrastructure, extensive support teams, or abundant resources

Qualifications

10+ years of progressive operations leadership in food distribution, food manufacturing, logistics, or supply chain
Demonstrated experience managing multi-site warehouse operations
Direct ownership of food safety programs (SQF, FSMA, PCQI)
Experience leading a fleet of 10+ trucks
Strong Excel skills and ability to build and interpret operational reports and KPIs
Proven ability to lead hourly teams and develop managers
Willingness to travel approximately 40% of the time

Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degrees welcome but not required.

Why This Role Matters

This is a pivotal moment for The Common Market. The VP of Operations will play a central role in strengthening our infrastructure, supporting our teams, and ensuring we can scale our impact while maintaining safety, quality, and mission alignment.

Salary: $130k annual
Make an impact by connecting institutions with healthy, local food while supporting family farms.
Collaborate with a passionate, mission-driven team working to build a better food system.
Opportunity for growth in a dynamic and expanding organization.
Comprehensive benefits package.
- Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
- Retirement Plan (SIMPLE IRA with 100% employer match)
- Life Insurance (100% Employer Paid Life, AD&D, Short Term and Long Term Disability)
- Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)