General Manager, Operations

About The Common Market

The Common Market is a mission-driven nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to fostering a more resilient and equitable food system. By connecting family farms with essential institutions like schools, hospitals, universities, and community organizations through a network of regional chapters, we strengthen local food economies. Our operational excellence is paramount to consistently delivering high-quality service to our customers, farmers, and communities, supporting the continued growth of our national network.

Role Overview

The Common Market is seeking a dynamic General Manager to lead operations at our Philadelphia distribution facility. This pivotal role involves overseeing warehouse operations, trucking logistics, food safety systems, and developing frontline teams. The General Manager will be instrumental in ensuring we consistently meet our commitments and drive operational performance. This is a hands-on leadership position for an individual energized by building high-performing teams, optimizing operations, and ensuring disciplined execution in a fast-paced distribution setting. The role requires significant autonomy in daily decision-making, ensuring the facility and fleet operate efficiently with minimal executive oversight.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the comprehensive performance of the Philadelphia distribution facility, focusing on safety, service levels, productivity, and cost management to achieve operational and financial targets.
• Ensure daily operations are aligned with overarching organizational objectives and proactively identify and mitigate risks to enhance performance and reliability.
• Manage all warehouse activities, including receiving, picking, packing, staging, and shipping, to ensure efficient product flow and inventory accuracy through rigorous processes and controls.
• Maintain an optimized warehouse layout and enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) while driving continuous process improvements.
• Direct transportation and fleet operations, including route execution, delivery performance, driver scheduling, and managing an 8-truck fleet with a focus on preventative maintenance, repairs, and DOT compliance.
• Act as the site lead for the SQF Food Safety program, ensuring strict adherence to SQF, HACCP, FSMA, and customer requirements, and maintaining audit readiness.
• Lead, mentor, and develop supervisors, warehouse associates, and drivers, fostering a culture of accountability, safety, and high performance.
• Develop effective staffing plans and schedules, manage performance, and support hiring and onboarding processes for all site-based roles.
• Manage labor and operating costs within budget, track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as productivity, accuracy, safety, service level, and labor efficiency, and utilize data to inform decisions and drive improvements.
• Collaborate with Sales, Customer Support, and National Operations teams to ensure seamless cross-functional alignment and support operational success.
• Serve as the primary operational decision-maker for the Philadelphia market, balancing customer needs, operational capacity, and organizational goals.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a seasoned operations leader with a proven ability to execute effectively, build robust structures, develop teams, and drive performance across a multifaceted operation. They are adept at leading frontline staff, managing competing priorities, and ensuring smooth daily operations while simultaneously identifying and implementing improvements. This individual is comfortable engaging on the warehouse floor, analyzing performance data, directing staff, coordinating with various stakeholders, and making critical real-time decisions impacting service, cost, and safety.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
• A minimum of 7 to 12 years of progressive experience in operations, logistics, or distribution environments.
• At least 3 to 5 years of experience in managing frontline or supervisory teams.
• Demonstrated experience in food handling environments is essential.
• Proven experience managing a trucking fleet and drivers, with a preference for refrigerated trucking experience.
• Proficiency with SQF, HACCP, FSMA, or similar food safety management systems.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Additional Information

This role is based in Philadelphia and requires full-time, onsite presence at the distribution facility. It is not suitable for candidates who prefer strategy over execution, avoid direct people management, lack food or operational experience, prefer highly predictable environments, or are seeking remote positions.