Chief Operations & Impact Officer

Scion Executive Search has been retained to conduct an immediate search for the Chief Operating & Impact Officer of United Food Bank , an organization on a mission to unite communities to alleviate hunger in Arizona. This is a full-time, onsite position based in Mesa, AZ.

ABOUT UNITED FOOD BANK:

United Food Bank is a mission-driven nonprofit uniting communities to alleviate hunger across Arizona. Through partnerships with more than 125 food pantries, mobile markets, and hot meal sites, the organization provides reliable access to nutritious food for neighbors facing hardship. United Food Bank views food security as the first step toward helping individuals and families achieve long-term stability and opportunity. Grounded in the values of being Uniters, Cultivators, and Optimists, the organization fosters a collaborative, solutions-focused culture and continues to expand its reach and impact across Arizona communities.

At a pivotal moment of growth, United Food Bank is advancing a dual strategy to support lasting stability. Through Food for Today, the organization ensures efficient distribution of food through a complex supply chain. Through Food for Tomorrow, United Food Bank leverages partnerships and programs to connect neighbors with resources that support long-term economic stability.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Chief Operating and Impact Officer (COIO) oversees the complex logistics required to source, store, repack, and distribute tens of millions of pounds of food across more than 19,000 square miles of Arizona, serving communities from urban centers to remote rural and tribal areas. In parallel, the COIO leads the programs, partnerships, and operational frameworks that ensure neighbors receive both immediate nutritional support and connections to resources that support long-term stability.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the COIO shares responsibility for advancing United Food Bank’s mission and organizational success while ensuring strong operational systems and compliance with federal, state, local, and Feeding America requirements.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Senior Leadership & Strategy

• Serve as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team and senior operations leader, reporting to the President & CEO.
• Translate United Food Bank’s Stability First vision into a multi-year operational roadmap aligned with strategic priorities.
• Anticipate industry trends and operational risks, providing insight that strengthens long-term organizational direction.

Food for Today: Operations & Supply Chain

• Lead the end-to-end food supply chain, including sourcing, inventory, warehousing, transportation, and distribution of tens of millions of pounds of food annually.
• Oversee logistics across a 19,000+ square mile service area, ensuring reliable distribution to urban, rural, and tribal communities.
• Ensure effective food flow, inventory control, and a nutritious product mix through strong cross-functional coordination.
• Oversee warehouse and fleet operations, including food safety, cold-chain management, and regulatory compliance.
• Lead operational response during emergencies and disasters in coordination with partners and public agencies.

Partner Network & Community Distribution

• Lead the development and management of a large partner network, strengthening relationships and expanding partner capacity.
• Ensure equitable distribution of resources across the service area and identify opportunities to address service gaps.
• Maintain strong partner compliance with food safety standards and United Food Bank values.

Food for Tomorrow: Programs & Impact

• Oversee direct service programs that extend beyond food access, including benefits enrollment and client support services.
• Lead initiatives that advance long-term food and economic stability.
• Build partnerships that connect neighbors to resources such as housing, workforce development, and health services.
• Implement systems and metrics to measure long-term stability outcomes.

Performance & Financial Stewardship

• Lead operational planning, performance management, and KPI tracking using EOS and other organizational tools.
• Oversee departmental budgets and financial performance, ensuring efficient use of resources while supporting growth.
• Partner across departments to support funding strategies and operational expansion.

Team Leadership

• Build and lead high-performing teams, fostering a collaborative and mission-driven culture.
• Develop staff and managers while supporting strong communication, accountability, and succession planning.
• Promote a safe, inclusive, and engaged workplace aligned with United Food Bank’s values.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated passion for United Food Bank’s mission and a strong alignment with its values of collaboration, innovation, and solution-focused service.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, nonprofit management, supply chain management, or a related field, or equivalent leadership experience.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience, including at least five years in a senior operational leadership role with responsibility for complex teams, budgets, and multi-site operations.
• Deep operational expertise in supply chain, warehousing, inventory management, and transportation logistics, including experience with ERP systems and route optimization tools.
• Experience managing operations across large and geographically diverse service areas; familiarity with Arizona’s rural and tribal communities is a plus.
• Understanding of food insecurity as part of broader economic instability, with experience developing or overseeing programs that support long-term stability.
• Experience leading or supporting social service programs, benefits enrollment, or community-based initiatives is preferred.
• Proven ability to build strong partnerships and collaborate with diverse stakeholders across sectors.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance and operational standards, with food safety experience preferred; ability to obtain ServSafe certification within six months.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Sound judgment and problem-solving ability, with a hands-on leadership style when needed.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Outlook, and Excel.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

This full-time, on-site executive role offers a meaningful opportunity to lead critical operations and community impact efforts at one of Arizona’s most respected hunger-relief organizations. The position offers a competitive salary range of $125,000–$150,000 (DOE) along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage with employer contributions, access to both traditional and HSA medical plans with employer HSA funding and matching opportunities, employer-paid life and AD&D insurance, access to 401k retirement plan with employer matching contributions, and access to voluntary disability and supplemental insurance options.

APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS:

United Food Bank has retained the services of Scion Executive Search, a national executive search firm specializing in recruiting for mission-driven organizations, to assist in conducting this important search. For immediate consideration, please apply with your resume and cover letter, formatted in Microsoft Word, via:

Please address applications to:

Ellen Johnson, Executive Recruiter

Scion Executive Search

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.