Chief Supply Chain Officer

About Feeding America

As the nation's largest nonprofit and domestic hunger-relief organization, Feeding America is at the forefront of the fight to end hunger. With an annual revenue of $5.15 billion (2023), which includes 4.7 billion pounds of donated food, Feeding America engages our country and communities in the fight to end hunger on an unprecedented scale, serving as a catalyst at both the national and local levels, reaching every county in the United States. The work is not just about providing meals. On the journey to achieving its mission, Feeding America addresses barriers so everyone can thrive.

Specifically, Feeding America’s strategy includes:

1. Improve neighbor access to and experience with the charitable food system
2. Enhance sourcing and sharing of neighbor-preferred food
3. Expand policy advocacy to increase access to resources and address the root causes of hunger
4. Increase holistic support available to neighbors in areas including health, economic mobility, and housing
5. Transform measurement and data through collective opportunities in data sharing and technology tools across the Feeding America network

A People-Centered Approach: Through it all, Feeding America keeps the neighbors it serves at the center of its vision of a hunger-free America. Feeding America is deeply committed to meeting the unique nutritional and health needs of individuals and their communities by leveraging an approach that is people-centered, responsive, and adaptive.

The Network: The organization is a nationwide network of over 200 food banks, regional cooperatives, and partner state associations which distribute food through 60,000 partner food pantries and meals programs. Together, the Feeding America network provides more than 5 billion meals to tens of millions of people across the United States and supports programs that improve food security for the families they serve.

Rising Demand: In a country that wastes billions of pounds of food each year, it is shocking that almost anyone in America goes hungry. Yet, there are 44 million people who don’t have enough to eat – that is 1 in 7 individuals, and 44 million too many. Each year, more than 13 million children (that is 1 in 5) and 5.5 million seniors struggle with hunger.

In 2020, the COVID crisis devastated individuals and families and food insecurity grew. The average increase in the number of clients reported by food banks grew by an astounding 60%. Since then – driven by record inflation, historically high food costs, reduced federal assistance, and other factors – demand has continued to grow. Through it all, Feeding America and its partners have continued the march to solve hunger, moving quickly and decisively to implement multi-prong strategies that include new systems, distribution, and supply chain, and leveraging and expanding partnerships.  

Looking Ahead and the Critical Role of the Supply Chain in Feeding America’s Next Chapter:

Feeding America has set the aspiration for 2030 that people across the country have more pathways to sustained food and nutrition security; and neighbors facing hunger who engage the Feeding America network consistently benefit from practices that affirm dignity and fair access to nutritious, preferred food and experience improved health and well-being.

The supply chain will be a central pillar of the organization’s next five-year strategy and play an essential role in advancing Feeding America’s vision. Closely aligned with technology, data, and enterprise resource planning systems, the Supply Chain team will work in partnership with the Chief Information Officer and network collaborators to advance technology solutions which will improve operations across the system. This includes efforts to enhance food rescue and regional sourcing and logistics, increase the availability of nutritious and culturally relevant foods, and ensure that food is distributed more predictably and equitably through more real time planning and forecasting.

By strengthening strategic sourcing of donated and government foods, regional transportation models, and collaborative purchasing, the supply chain will support more efficient and responsive distribution models that reflect the needs of local communities. Ongoing investment in tools, systems, and partnerships will help Feeding America continue to meet growing demand, while also laying the groundwork for long-term progress in reducing food insecurity.

Review Feeding America’s 2024 Annual Report, here.  For more information, please visit Feeding America’s website: http://www.feedingamerica.org.

The Opportunity

At this moment of challenge and tremendous opportunity, Feeding America is seeking a collaborative, dynamic, innovative, and deeply committed leader to serve as the Chief Supply Chain Officer (CSCO). This role represents a unique opportunity with the potential to positively impact tens of millions of lives each year.

Reporting to the President & Chief Operating Officer, the CSCO is a member of the Executive Team and oversees a team of approximately ~50 supply chain professionals and 3 direct reports including the Vice President, Food Industry Partnerships; Vice President, Agri Food Engagement; and Vice President, Supply Chain Operations and a total budget in excess of $20 million, which includes grantmaking.  

The CSCO develops and executes strategies for sourcing and distributing food resources to the Feeding America network, working in close partnership with the Development and Technology teams. The CSCO works with the Feeding America National Organization (FANO) executive team, the network National Council (NAC), and NAC committees to advance food sourcing partnerships across the food industry and with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The CSCO drives innovation and efficiencies in food acquisition and transportation to network members and promotes food resource sharing. The CSCO is responsible for planning and ensuring resources are in place to support food sourcing member grants and technology investments that expand food sourcing, enable sharing and support donation receipting and reporting. The CSCO is a key member of the FANO executive team and helps set and deliver strategic direction and operational performance for the organization as well as leading, developing and inspiring the supply chain department.  

Key responsibilities of the CSCO include:

• Develop and implement strategies to increase the amount of available food for distribution across the Feeding America network with a focus on addressing national, regional and community level disparities. Improve the predictability and variety of nutritious, fresh, and preferred foods. Drive more catalytic and cost-efficient operations in areas including food handling and processing, collaborative purchasing, and freight.  Stay abreast of industry, governmental, and external environment to better enable and inform formulation of strategic direction and execution against strategic priorities.
• Own and deliver on multi-year initiative plans, projects and budgets. Work cross-functionally to strategically steward food and fund donors in support of increasing food and fund contributions and driving advocacy for our mission. 
• Advance the effectiveness and capacity of network sharing assets including regional cooperatives and protein pack rooms in support of handling, processing and sharing bulk agri-food donations and mixing donated food with other food sources to increase variety and access for all network members. 
• Gain strong understanding of Farm Bill and USDA food distribution programs, responsible for influencing and improving operations for state and federal government food programs. 
• Work cross-functionally to understand and lead investment strategies for food sourcing and sharing technology that simplifies food sourcing and sharing activities for the FANO staff, network members, food donors and vendors. Drive integration with network and donor Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for more real time information and the ability to better predict food need and gaps. 
• Ensure strong customer service in support of network sourcing activities (including FANO-arranged freight and support for invoicing and receipting national donors). Lead work to reconcile and report on the types and value of in-kind food donations for donor and internal reporting. 
• Lead, inspire, and develop a group of ~50 supply chain staff members ensuring clear goals and accountability for results. Nurture a strong team culture in support of FANO leadership competencies and organizational values. 
• Lead/support network committees and task forces in support of food acquisition and other strategies. Serve as co-chair/executive team sponsor of the Food Sourcing Advisory Committee (FSAC). 
• Work cross-functionally to support network capacity building and tools for food sourcing and sharing.  Take a lead role in disaster response as outlined in the Network Strategic Framework and network agreements.  Actively engage to support successful network conferences.
• Serve as an active member and thought leader on the FANO executive team and be accountable for organizational culture, strategy, and operational execution. Support the FANO board stewardship committee and other committees as directed.  
• Represent FANO and the Feeding America network with donors, giving interviews with external media/publications, and as a presenter at network and other food industry events/conferences with the express purpose of creating awareness and increasing food and fund donations. 

Candidate Profile

While it is understood that no candidate will offer every desired skill, quality, and characteristic, the following offers a detailed, aspirational view of the ideal candidate profile:

FOSTERS AN ENTERPRISE MINDSET 

Centers neighbors, and lives into Feeding America’s shared value statement in working with network partners to have the desired mission impact. Acts as a champion of the enterprise by embracing FANO decision making and stewardship. Aligns department and team to enterprise decisions and priorities. Takes ownership for enterprise decisions and processes.  Creates and communicates a clear shared vision for the future consistent with the values and mission of Feeding America. Promotes a neighbor-centered strategy and maintains a balanced perspective between short- and long-term priorities.

FOSTERS AN OPEN AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT 

Seeks and values varied perspectives and consistently treats others with fairness, dignity, compassion, and respect – proactively takes action to ensure this is reflected in Feeding America’s culture.  Keeps people at the center of all that Feeding America does and centers resources to address disparities wherever they exist.   Acknowledges, repairs, and recommits when out of Feeding America’s Group Agreements. Is fully engaged in their own personal learning around appreciating varied backgrounds and perspectives, understanding of power dynamics and creating open and supportive environments where all staff can thrive.

LEADS WITH ACCOUNTABILITY 

Upholds ethical standards and consistently demonstrates a commitment to doing what is consistent with Feeding America’s values rather than what is expedient. Anchors actions and decisions in Feeding America’s values and mission while building trust and taking responsibility for the hard decisions. Expresses best independent thinking by leveraging data, functional experience, and Feeding America's values to inform decisions. Once decisions are made, actively supports and takes responsibility, and communicates them, regardless of personal point of view. Takes personal accountability for results, demonstrates a learning mindset, self-awareness, self-monitoring, and self-regulation.

COLLABORATES INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY 

Builds partnerships internally and externally and works collaboratively with stakeholders, the network, and neighbors to remove silos and gain multiple perspectives to meet shared objectives. Represents Feeding America positively, highlighting its mission of ending hunger.  Engages and communicates in ways that create brave spaces for collaboration and shared learning.

FOCUSES ON PEOPLE AND TEAMS 

Prioritizes people and ensures they are supported and developed in their work with candid, timely, and constructive coaching, and feedback, fosters a learning mindset, and recognizes and rewards strong performance. Focuses on the development of self and others to accelerate performance in current and future roles. Holds self and others accountable to high standards of performance and results. Promotes a healthy and engaging work environment and mobilizes the team around Feeding America’s work and mission.

MANAGES ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS COMPLEXITY 

Translates organizational priorities into specific goals to ensure accomplishment of critical results. Sets clear and ambitious plans and holds self and others accountable for achieving desired outcomes. Interprets new challenges and finds solutions in response to changing circumstances. Achieves or exceeds desired outcomes while managing organizational risk and maintaining space for innovation and new ideas. Creates an environment that encourages doing things differently, where it is safe to learn from mistakes.

COMMUNICATES WITH IMPACT AND INFLUENCE 

Communicates directly, clearly and with integrity, across all levels. Crafts and delivers timely, impactful communication using multiple modes to impart a clear understanding tailored to the specific needs of all audiences.

AN EXPERIENCED SUPPLY CHAIN EXPERT

In addition to the leadership competencies outlined above, this executive will bring significant supply chain leadership experience, with a strong track record of managing complex operations and delivering measurable results. The ideal candidate will bring experience in the following areas:

• Food Industry, Supply Chain, Sourcing and Logistics: Demonstrated experience overseeing the end-to-end supply chain planning and product flow—from forecasting, sourcing, regional positioning, and distribution. Capable of working with industry partners across the food industry to increase product donations through innovation in food rescue. Brings a strong operational mindset, with the ability to manage large-scale systems, coordinate across multiple partners, and identify opportunities to improve processes, increase efficiency, and enhance service delivery.
• Navigating Complexity: Skilled in operating within distributed, multi-stakeholder environments. Effectively leads through influence, building strong relationships and driving consensus. Brings experience adapting national strategies to local needs and navigating organizational complexity while maintaining alignment on key goals.
• Organizational Leadership: Excels in building a vision and inspiring the team in settings of high change. Empowers leaders to develop plans, lead teams and deliver results. Skilled at identifying talent and development opportunities and building an organization designed to meet long term strategic priorities. A skilled leader, capable of playing a leadership role in network and FANO strategic planning and risk management processes.
• Running and Scaling Complex Operations: Brings experience leading and scaling operations in geographically dispersed and multi-stakeholder environments. Understands how to apply broad functional knowledge to inform strategic and operational decisions, anticipate potential challenges, and identify opportunities for improvement. Able to conceptualize and analyze problems in a constructive, forward-looking way that results in stronger organizational performance.
• Innovation and Modernization: Demonstrated success leading efforts to strengthen and modernize supply chain operations. Brings a strong understanding of how to use data, analytics, and technology advancements (including AI) to improve forecasting, coordination, and responsiveness. Strong collaboration with technology partners to align and innovate systems and tools with evolving organizational strategies.
• Partnership Building: A collaborative leader with the ability to build and sustain strong relationships across internal teams and external stakeholders. Able to work effectively with network members, suppliers, donors, and public sector partners to align efforts, maximize resources, and increase impact.

Location & Travel

The successful candidate must be based in or willing to relocate to Chicago, Illinois, and will be expected to be in the Feeding America office 2-3 days per week.

Additionally, the successful candidate will be willing and able to do a moderate amount of domestic travel (~20%).

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for the Chief Supply Chain Officer is $235,000 - $280,000 and will be based on the successful candidate’s skills and experience. In addition, there is a target bonus of 15%.

This is a permanent, full-time, exempt position and is eligible for Feeding America’s comprehensive benefit package.