Director of Operations at New Pioneer Food Co-op

Iowa City, Iowa, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

15 May, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

14 Feb, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Leadership, Operational Excellence, Financial Accountability, Strategic Alignment, Staff Coaching, Conflict Resolution, Inclusion, Service Excellence, Safety Management, Staffing, Scheduling, Inventory Planning, Budgeting, Performance Data Review, Action Planning, POS Systems

Industry

Food and Beverage Services

Description

Description Location: Iowa City–Cedar Rapids Corridor (multi-site leadership) Reports to: Chief Executive Officer Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt About New Pioneer Food Co-op New Pioneer Food Co-op is a community-owned grocery cooperative built on people, quality, and sustainability. We’re passionate about supporting local producers, creating a welcoming experience for every shopper, and fostering a workplace where staff can thrive. About the Role The Director of Operations provides leadership and direction for New Pioneer store locations. This role ensures that our teams deliver outstanding service, operational excellence, and financial accountability while reflecting the cooperative’s values every day. You’ll work closely with Store Team Leaders and department heads to align daily operations with strategic goals. You’ll also partner with HR, Finance, Purchasing, and Marketing to create efficient systems, consistent standards, and strong communication across all sites. You’ll lead with presence, patience, and respect. Listen to understand, not to react. Build trust through follow-through, consistency, and clarity. Coach others toward growth by setting expectations, offering timely feedback, and creating space for staff to problem-solve and contribute ideas. Model steadiness in change, balancing care for people with care for the work. Engage in conflict with curiosity and transparency, supporting accountability without blame or avoidance. Lastly, you’ll demonstrate a grounded commitment to inclusion and belonging, ensuring every team member feels seen, valued, and part of shared success. Requirements What You Will Do · Lead and support Store leaders to achieve excellence in service, safety, and performance. · Align staffing, scheduling, and inventory planning with financial and operational goals. · Partner with HR to develop leaders, promote accountability, and build a culture of trust and growth. · Collaborate across departments to ensure consistent brand, member, and shopper experience. · Review performance data, identify opportunities for improvement, and drive action plans that deliver results. · Contribute to annual planning, budgets, and cooperative-wide strategies. What Success Looks Like · Consistent performance and collaboration across all locations. · Strong engagement and retention among store and production teams. · Achievement of budgeted goals and operational targets. · Visible leadership presence that inspires trust, communication, and results. What You’ll Bring · 8+ years of progressive leadership in retail, grocery, or production, with at least 3 years managing multiple sites. · Strong understanding of operations, budgeting, and people management. · Proven success developing teams and driving organizational change. · Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. · Experience with POS systems, workforce analytics, and Microsoft Office. · Knowledge of cooperative models and food systems a plus. Compensation & Benefits This position offers a competitive salary aligned with market benchmarks for similar cooperative roles, plus a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, paid time off, staff discounts, and retirement plan options.

Responsibilities

The Director of Operations provides leadership and direction for multiple New Pioneer store locations, ensuring teams deliver outstanding service, operational excellence, and financial accountability while upholding cooperative values. This role involves close collaboration with Store Team Leaders and department heads to align daily operations with strategic goals and create efficient, consistent systems across all sites.