Hunger Network, a non-profit organization which envisions that no one goes hungry and no food goes to waste seeks a full-time Food Rescue Program Director. Hunger Network is the largest grassroots hunger relief and food recovery organization in Cuyahoga County that focuses on minimizing food waste and fighting food inequity and injustice by maximizing our community’s access to culturally relevant, nutritious foods. Our programming includes coordination of a consortium of 70+ hunger relief sites that are strategically placed across the county which provide food supplies, hygiene items, and hot meals to our neighbors who need it most. We bridge the gap between hunger and food waste through the innovative Food Rescue Hero app, which operates via both a direct transfer and transform model to assure fresh food is delivered daily into our local neighborhoods.

Position Summary

The Food Rescue Program Director is the main stakeholder in all Food Rescue operations, responsible for program design, execution, expansion and evaluation to achieve organizational goals. They will spearhead the Food Rescue Kitchen initiative, currently in the initial stages of development. The ideal candidate requires an entrepreneurial spirit, a passion for sustainability and serving the community, and a keen eye for operations. This position will build access to local food system networks and grow partnerships, while overseeing a team of staff and hundreds of community partners. This position reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and is a member of the Leadership Team.

General Responsibilities

• Ensure growth and scalability of Food Rescue program.
• Implement the Food Rescue Kitchen initiative from ground up.
• Execute the successful launch of the Food Rescue Kitchen, including staff hiring, stakeholder involvement, facility establishment, and general operations.
• Delegate responsibilities to the Food Rescue team and supervise daily operations of Food Rescue transport and transform teams.
• Analyze program performance data to isolate trends; identify opportunities to improve systems, processes and programs; and report on progress toward goals.
• Master all aspects of the Food Rescue Hero technology.
• Explore revenue-generating opportunities and key partnerships, when applicable.
• Manage annual program budget and contribute to grant writing process.
• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications Manager to plan and execute regional engagement initiatives.
• Work with the Volunteer & Community Engagement Director to execute standards, procedures, and volunteer appreciation events. March 2025
• Ensure collaborative overlap between the Hunger Relief program and Food Rescue program.
• Coordinate with the Hunger Relief Program to oversee the Food Rescue Hero routing feature for pantry home delivery program.
• Assist with major special events, annual campaigns, and other internal meetings as
needed.
• Represent the organization in community collaborations/task forces related to health, hunger, nutrition, and sustainability to gather and share information, as needed.

Program Operations

• Oversee Food Rescue Kitchen transform schedule and ensure accurate donation recording.
• Maintain communication between food donors, nonprofit partners, and volunteers.
• Ensure steady growth of Food Rescues held weekly.
• Maintain food safety standards and organize staff certifications.
• Occasionally participate in program dispatch and rescue completion
• Ensure equitable distribution of donations to our diverse recipient network.
• Minimize waste and maximize volunteer driver network.

Program Growth and Expansion

• Achieve program expansion using staff, comprehensive plans, defined goals, and available resources.
• Collect and analyze data to achieve program service area targets.
• Provide innovative, scalable solutions to achieve program goals.
• Maintain relationships with community partners and ensure mutual referral opportunities.
• Represent organization as National Food Recovery Association liaison.
• Develop and maintain training documents, policies, and procedures.
• Ensure a diversified portfolio of partners to reach most people.
• Facilitate onboarding and relationship building of food donors in cooperation with the Partnerships Manager.

Qualifications and Skills Required

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, or related field required; master’s degree preferred.
• 3-5 years of progressive management experience; strong administrative skills with emphasis on attention to detail.
• Knowledge of culinary catering and/or restaurant management highly preferred.
• Compelling communication and presentation skills with a passion for public speaking.
• Current ServSafe Food Handler Certification and OSHA 10 Certified preferred, or to be obtained within 30 days of employment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite; experience with Dialpad a plus.
• Excellent oral, written, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills with a history of building diverse partnerships.
• High degree of cultural competence and awareness of the diverse cultures served by Hunger Network. March 2025

Other
• Some weekend and evening hours required.
• Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and automobile insurance required.
• Position fluctuates between sitting for long periods and being active, requiring standing, walking, and bending.
• Frequently lifts and moves food and other items over 30 pounds.
• Background check required.

Excellent benefits package available. Salary range $60,000 – $65,000 commensurate with experience. Hunger Network is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Send cover letter and resume to careers@hungernetwork.org.

Hunger Network is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and candidates for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws