Executive Director, Southeast Regional Food Hub

The Common Market is seeking a dynamic, mission-driven Executive Director to lead our Southeast Chapter, based at our Atlanta warehouse. This position is responsible for balancing strategic leadership with operational excellence, ensuring that our region delivers on both impact and performance. The Executive Director oversees a warehouse and logistics operation that includes a fleet of refrigerated trucks, connecting sustainable family farms with schools, hospitals, universities, and other anchor institutions across the Southeast.

The ideal candidate will combine nonprofit leadership and fundraising expertise with hands-on experience managing complex operations, demonstrating the ability to inspire teams, build partnerships, and ensure the highest standards of food safety, logistics, and customer service.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Growth

• Lead the development and implementation of initiatives that advance The Common Market's mission to build a more just and sustainable food system in the Southeast region.
• Represent The Common Market to external stakeholders, cultivating strong relationships with funders, institutional buyers, farmers, and community leaders.
  
  

Operational Management

• Provide direct oversight of warehouse operations, including receiving, inventory control, order fulfillment, and quality assurance.
• Manage a fleet of refrigerated trucks, ensuring compliance with DOT regulations, preventative maintenance schedules, and on-time, safe delivery performance.
• Implement and monitor KPIs related to efficiency, food safety, customer service, and financial performance.
• Ensure full compliance with SQF, FSMA, and other food safety and regulatory standards.
  
  

Team Leadership & Culture

• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team across warehouse, logistics, procurement, and sales functions.
• Establish clear performance goals, provide coaching and development opportunities, and foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace culture.
  
  

Financial & Fundraising Oversight

• Oversee Chapter budgeting, including revenue targets, expense management, and cost controls.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy to support financial sustainability, including grants, donor cultivation, and institutional funding.
  
  

Partnership & Market Development

• Strengthen relationships with family farmers, institutional partners, and foodservice management companies to expand the reach and impact of The Common Market.
• Build credibility with partners by ensuring reliable operations and high-quality service.
  
  

About The Common Market

The Common Market is a nonprofit regional food distributor on a mission to connect communities with good food from sustainable family farms. We envision a nation where all communities have access to healthy, local food, and where farmers are supported and celebrated. Founded in 2008, The Common Market now operates across multiple regions, partnering with anchor institutions to build resilient local food systems.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, business administration, agriculture, supply chain, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 5-7 years of leadership experience, with at least 3 years in operations, logistics, or supply chain management (food distribution experience strongly preferred).
• Proven success in nonprofit or mission-driven enterprise leadership, including fundraising and stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large-scale warehouse and logistics operations, including fleet oversight.
• Strong financial acumen, with experience developing and managing budgets and performance metrics.
• Familiarity with ERP systems, logistics software, or inventory management tools a plus.
• Deep understanding of local food systems, sustainable agriculture, and community food access.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and team development skills.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
• Willingness to travel within the Southeast region as needed.
  
  

Benefits

• $130k annually
• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (SIMPLE IRA with 100% employer match)
• Life Insurance (100% Employer Paid Life, AD&D, Short Term and Long Term Disability)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Training & Development