SVP of Operations

SVP of Operations

Location Baltimore, MD 21227 Date Posted August 11, 2026 Job ID 15202 Employment Type Retained

Scion Executive Search has been retained to identify the incoming Senior Vice President, Operations on behalf of our client, Maryland Food Bank, a nonprofit organization that works to end hunger in Maryland by sourcing and distributing nutritious food while partnering with communities to address the root causes of food insecurity. We are seeking a strategic, collaborative, and people-centered leader to manage a complex, multi-site operation that moves approximately 51-55 million pounds of food annually to communities across Maryland.

The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in operations, supply chain, distribution, logistics, transportation, or other related complex operating environments, along with the executive presence to relate comfortably with all stakeholders across various settings. This full-time, hybrid (3 days/week onsite) opportunity is located in Halethorpe, Maryland.

ABOUT Maryland Food Bank

The Maryland Food Bank (MFB) is a leading statewide hunger-relief organization dedicated to feeding people, strengthening communities, and ending hunger for more Marylanders. Founded in 1979 as the first food bank on the East Coast, MFB has grown into a critical part of Maryland's food assistance infrastructure, partnering with more than 760 community organizations across the state to ensure individuals and families have access to nutritious food.

Operating through three regional locations in Baltimore County, Salisbury, and Hagerstown, the Maryland Food Bank combines large-scale food distribution with community-based programs, education, advocacy, and innovative approaches designed to address both the immediate effects and underlying causes of hunger. In 2025, MFB distributed enough food to provide more than 43.5 million meals, while continuing to build pathways toward lasting food security for Marylanders.

With a team of approximately 188 employees and a broad network of community partners and volunteers, MFB is working to create a Maryland where access to nutritious food is a foundation for healthy, thriving communities. The organization brings together data, community relationships, philanthropy, operational expertise, and advocacy to address food insecurity at scale while remaining deeply connected to the people and communities it serves. To learn more, visit https://mdfoodbank.org/.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Senior Vice President, Operations is responsible for ensuring the sourcing, warehousing, transportation, inventory control, and distribution of 50+ million pounds of food per year to a network of 760 partners throughout Maryland, while ensuring food safety and compliance with regulatory and Feeding America standards. This includes oversight of 125,000+ sq feet of warehouse space across five facilities in Central, Western and Eastern Maryland; a fleet of over 30 vehicles; and 65+ staff, including 4 direct reports (Director, Operations & Logistics; Director, Sourcing; Manager, Partner Operations; and Manager, Operations Support).

Reporting to the Chief Impact and Operating Officer (CIOO), this role serves as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the group that collaboratively drives and shapes the mission, culture, strategy, and operations of MFB, and includes the CEO, CIOO, Chief Finance Officer, Chief Philanthropy Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer, and the Senior Vice Presidents for Community Programs, Neighbor Engagement, and Marketing and Communications.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operational Leadership and Effectiveness

• Lead a 65+ person, statewide Operations team and supervise operations across five facilities in Baltimore, Washington, and Wicomico counties, overseeing supply chain, food sourcing, transportation and logistics, distribution, warehousing, inventory control, partner operations, business intelligence, and project management.
• Develop and implement multi-year initiatives and annual operational objectives and priorities that support MFB's long-term strategic plan, ensuring delivery of key strategic initiatives.
• Build and continuously improve efficient systems and processes across partner operations, food sourcing, supply chain, inventory control, warehousing, transportation logistics, and other core operational functions.
• Create and manage annual Operations budgets and workplans, ensuring resources are aligned with organizational priorities.
• Measure and improve Operations performance through data analytics, business intelligence, agreed-upon metrics, and continuous improvement practices.
• Align Operations priorities and initiatives with other departments, including Programs, External Relations, Strategy & Innovation, and Technology.
• Manage capital assets, fleet, service work, and operational projects across all locations.
• Ensure the maintenance of physical plants and equipment in collaboration with the Director of Facilities.
• Manage relationships with key vendors and service providers.
• Collaborate on new business development opportunities that strengthen MFB's operational capabilities and organizational impact.
• Reinforce a culture of innovation, quality, continuous improvement, effective project and change management, and partner- and neighbor-centric decision-making.

Compliance, Risk Management, and Safety

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulatory requirements, including AIB, Health Department, EPA, OSHA, FDA, DHS, DOT, USDA, and other applicable requirements, as well as Feeding America guidelines.
• Oversee compliance with the operational aspects of major grants and contracts.
• Ensure effective stewardship of organizational assets, including inventory, warehouse and transportation equipment, electronic equipment, fleet, and other operational resources.
• Maintain an "Audit-Ready" environment by ensuring appropriate operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, and safety and compliance systems are in place.
• Support workplace safety, food safety, and security functions and integrate risk management into daily operational activities.
• As a key member of MFB's Incident Command Team, plan for and respond to disasters and emergencies in a timely manner while ensuring continuity of operations and organizational readiness.

Strategic Insight

• Monitor trends, external developments, and emerging practices that may impact MFB's Operations, supply chain, and the broader food bank sector.
• Support environmental scanning and future-oriented strategic insight efforts.
• Help MFB assess evolving organizational capabilities, infrastructure needs, and operational implications associated with long-term strategic priorities.
• Provide strategic insight and operational perspective to inform organizational planning, business development, and emerging opportunities.

Team Building and Staff Management

• Serve as a role model, coach, and leader to a talented team of Operations professionals, fostering accountability, collaboration, and professional excellence.
• Promote a culture of integrity, collaboration, compassion, and excellence in which individuals and teams are motivated and recognized for high performance, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Create opportunities for Operations staff development, professional growth, and leadership development.
• Promote a workplace where people feel safe, seen, supported, and empowered to succeed.
• Ensure team members understand organizational and departmental priorities and remain informed, engaged, and motivated through effective group and one-on-one communication.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships across the organization and represent Operations effectively with colleagues, community partners, donors, government leaders, and other external stakeholders.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree required. Master's degree in supply chain, business, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years of Operations, Supply Chain, and Logistics leadership experience.
• 5 years in a senior level role (Director/Vice President).
• Ability to create, articulate, and implement strategy, adapt to changing needs, and drive change across the organization.
• Understanding of and commitment to creating a work environment that incorporates, supports, and sustains a safe and supportive work environment utilizing the principles of equity and inclusion.
• Solid understanding of logistics as it relates to storage, handling, and shipment of goods.
• Demonstrated continuous improvement and project management skills.
• Critical thinking skills to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Advanced oral, written, and other communications skills with an ability to present complicated information clearly and succinctly to match audience need.
• Ability to present and explain data to stakeholders to guide business decisions.
• Expertise in financial documentation and compliance, P&L management and applications, and budget development and ownership.
• Highly developed interpersonal and professional skills, including a collaborative nature, unquestioned integrity, and the ability to build trust-based relationships.
• Attention to detail and ability to work multiple projects concurrently with minimal supervision, in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point), with the ability to learn and apply other software.
• Ability to build and sustain business relationships with vendors, internal stakeholders, and organization partners.
• Ability to travel as needed to other MFB locations, partner sites and other events.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.
• Ability to read, write and speak English.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

In addition to a competitive base salary of $160,000 to $185,000, Maryland Food Bank also provides a comprehensive benefits package which includes health, dental, and vision insurance; Employee Assistance Program (EAP); Flexible Savings Accounts (FSA); Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance; Life Insurance; Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance; Tax-advantage Retirement Plan with 5% employer match (after one year); Education Reimbursement Program ($2,500); 10 days paid vacation, 8 days paid sick/personal leave, and 15 paid holidays; and 10% annual bonus.

APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS:

Maryland Food Bank has retained the services of Scion Executive Search, a national executive search firm specializing in nonprofit recruitment, to assist in conducting this important search. For immediate consideration, please apply with your resume and cover letter, formatted in Microsoft Word, via: https://scionretainedsearch.com/job/15202.

Please address applications to:

Ex Hopson, Senior Executive Search Principal

Scion Executive Search

(888) 487-8850 Extension 142

Review of applications, nominations, and expressions of interest will begin immediately and continue on a confidential basis until an appointment is made.

ABOUT OUR FIRM:

Scion Executive Search is an award-winning retained executive search firm. Our track record and recruitment process have made us one of the top recruitment firms in the United States. Through innovative team building and recruitment solutions, Scion Executive Search seamlessly bridges the gap in interim and executive searches. Our track record and recruitment process have made us one of the top recruitment firms in the nation.

We are proud to be part of the Forbes lists of the Best Recruitment Firms and the Best Executive Search Firms in America. Additionally, Scion has been recognized as a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing firm as well as a top recruitment firm by The Business Times. Additional information about our firm and our practices can be found online.

Scion Executive Search is an equal opportunity employer and service provider and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected class. We are committed to the principles of Equal Opportunity Employment and are dedicated to making employment decisions based on merit and value, for ourselves, our client companies, and the candidates we represent.

For opportunities located in a region that has enacted fair chance, arrest, or conviction-based employment ordinances, Scion Executive Search proactively follows the enacted guidance and considers for employment all qualified applications with arrest and conviction records. We engage in socially conscious business practices and believe that diverse, equitable, inclusive, and non-biased talent and recruitment processes are foundational to the success of Scion as well as every client organization with whom we partner.