About the Role
The YMCA of Greater Boston is a leading partner of The Greater Boston Food Bank and operates a comprehensive hunger prevention network serving neighborhoods throughout Boston. Through its warehouse distribution center, the YMCA packages and delivers more than 4,500 grocery bags each week to over 45 community partner organizations. In addition, the YMCA operates two Mobile Market Food Trucks that serve more than 30 locations across the city, providing fresh, nutritious food through a client-choice model that increases accessibility and dignity for participants. The YMCA also partners with Codman Square Health Center to support a Community Market in Dorchester serving more than 600 residents weekly. Collectively, these programs distribute more than 2.5 million meals annually.
As leaseholder and manager of the Collaborative Food Access Hub, the YMCA works closely with partner organizations to strengthen food access throughout Greater Boston. The Director of Operations, Hunger Prevention Programs provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all YMCA hunger prevention initiatives, including Mobile Markets, grocery bag distribution, warehouse operations, food procurement, inventory management, compliance, data reporting, volunteer engagement, and community partnerships. This position works closely with the Director of Operations for the Collaborative Food Access Hub to ensure seamless communication, coordination, and daily logistics among partner organizations and YMCA staff.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership & Program Management
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for Mobile Markets, grocery bag distribution programs, warehouse operations, and community food access initiatives.
- Lead cross-functional collaboration across YMCA departments, Collaborative Food Access Hub partners, and community stakeholders to drive operational excellence, strengthen service delivery, and achieve hunger prevention objectives.
- Oversee daily operations to ensure safe, efficient, equitable, and high-quality service delivery.
- Coordinate Mobile Market schedules, routes, partner site calendars, and distribution logistics.
- Ensure operational readiness, business continuity, and emergency food response capabilities across all hunger prevention programs.
- Develop and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency, inventory accuracy, customer experience, and program impact.
- Establish and monitor operational goals, service standards, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to support the annual distribution of more than 2.5 million meals.
Administration & Operations Management
- Support the Pantry Operations Manager in administering the Grocery Bag Distribution Program, including partner communications, scheduling, donation coordination, reporting, and procurement activities.
- Manage relationships with community partners and serve as a primary operational liaison.
- Coordinate monthly Mobile Market schedules and communications with partner sites and YMCA website staff.
- Serve as the lead administrator and subject matter expert for the Inventory Management System (IMS), ensuring inventory accuracy, data integrity, system utilization, reporting compliance, staff training, and continuous process improvement.
- Manage food procurement through The Greater Boston Food Bank, local farms, and other vendors.
- Review and maintain Bills of Lading (BOLs), inventory records, delivery documentation, and operational reports.
- Support warehouse operations, inventory control, logistics, and food distribution activities as needed.
- Maintain accurate operational records and documentation to support reporting, compliance, and audit requirements.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
Staff Leadership & Volunteer Engagement
- Supervise program staff, drivers, volunteers, interns, seasonal employees, and temporary personnel.
- Lead recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, coaching, and performance evaluations.
- Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), training resources, and staff development plans.
- Ensure all staff and volunteers are trained in food safety, inventory management, compliance standards, customer service, and operational procedures.
- Promote cross-training initiatives to strengthen workforce flexibility and operational continuity.
- Conduct regular team meetings, coaching sessions, and performance reviews.
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-driven culture aligned with YMCA values.
- Expand volunteer engagement and community participation opportunities.
Compliance, Food Safety & Quality Assurance
- Ensure compliance with YMCA policies, Greater Boston Food Bank requirements, grant regulations, food safety standards, and operational procedures.
- Conduct compliance reviews, inventory audits, site visits, and operational assessments.
- Serve as the primary liaison with The Greater Boston Food Bank regarding compliance reviews, inspections, reporting requirements, and corrective actions.
- Develop and implement corrective action plans to address operational and compliance concerns.
- Provide compliance training, technical assistance, and continuous improvement support to staff, volunteers, and partner organizations.
- Maintain audit-ready documentation and records.
Data Management & Reporting
- Lead data management and reporting functions for all hunger prevention programs.
- Maintain accurate inventory, distribution, volunteer, partner, and program records.
- Ensure a minimum of 98% accuracy in inventory and operational data.
- Develop reporting tools and analyze operational data to monitor performance, identify trends, and drive continuous improvement.
- Track and report key outcomes, including meals distributed, households served, volunteer hours, food recovery volumes, inventory movement, and partner participation.
- Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly, annual, grant, and regulatory reports accurately and on schedule.
- Support planning, forecasting, and resource allocation through data-driven decision making.
- Protect the confidentiality and integrity of operational and program information.
Community Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with community organizations, vendors, funders, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
- Provide operational support and technical assistance to partner organizations.
- Represent the YMCA and Collaborative Food Access Hub at community meetings, events, and stakeholder forums.
- Promote awareness of hunger prevention services and community food access resources.
- Support initiatives that advance food equity and increase access to nutritious food throughout Boston.
Success Metrics
The successful candidate will:
- Support distribution of more than 2.5 million meals annually.
- Deliver accurate, timely, and actionable operational reporting.
- Maintain strong relationships with staff, volunteers, community partners, vendors, and stakeholders.
- Successfully complete internal and external audits, inspections, and compliance reviews.
- Increase volunteer engagement and community participation annually.
- Improve operational efficiency, inventory accuracy, and service delivery outcomes.
- Expand equitable food access throughout the City of Boston.
- Strengthen the YMCA's position as a recognized leader in hunger prevention and food access.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university preferred.
- Five to seven years of progressive leadership experience in operations, logistics, warehouse management, food distribution, hunger prevention, nonprofit operations, or a related field.
- Minimum of three years of supervisory experience leading staff, volunteers, and cross-functional teams.
- Experience with food access programs, warehouse operations, inventory management systems, and community-based services preferred.
Job Benefits
Why work at the Y?
The YMCA of Greater Boston is an incredible place to have a fulfilling career or enjoy part-time employment — all while we are supporting and strengthening our communities, because our community is our cause. When you join us in your career here, you can look forward to:
- Developing your leadership skills in a caring, challenging & diverse working environment.
- Exploring a wide range of opportunities as you learn new skills and functions.
- Shaping the future of young children while making a difference each day for our communities and each other.
- Engaging in YMCA career training programs and working alongside those who have the same passion.
- A healthy work/life balance
- Comprehensive benefits including:
- FREE YMCA Membership for you.
- Discount on Specialty Programs like Personal Training and Swimming Lessons.
- Discounted or FREE family membership.
- Robust Retirement Plan up to 10%. (see eligibility requirement)
- Health, Dental, and Vision Benefit Package.
- Vacation and Sick Time (PT receive sick time)
About YMCA of Greater Boston
The YMCA of Greater Boston is the largest social services provider in Massachusetts. Through our network of facilities and program sites, the YMCA provides health and wellness programming, child care, summer camp, youth sports, and teen leadership programs, as well as work-force development and community outreach.