Vice President of Operations at The Common Market

Houston, Texas, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

12 Apr, 26

Salary

130000.0

Posted On

12 Jan, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Operations Leadership, Food Safety, Fleet Management, Multi-Site Operations, Team Development, Budgeting, KPI Development, Logistics, Compliance, Safety Culture, Data Analysis, Performance Management, Warehouse Management, Sanitation, Supply Chain, Auditing

Industry

Food and Beverage Services

Description

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)

Responsibilities

The Vice President of Operations is responsible for overseeing multi-site operations, including warehouse, trucking, and food safety. This role involves direct leadership of teams and ensuring compliance with safety and operational standards.