Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin
Director of Optimization, Analytics and IT
Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, us, 53774
Director of Optimization, Analytics and IT
Second Harvest Foodbank’s Director of Optimization, Analytics and IT leads the design, evolution, and governance of the systems supporting food distribution. This role champions operational performance through strategic data use, systems integration, continuous improvement, and process management. The Director aligns information systems, reporting and analytics tools, warehouse technologies, and operational workflows to improve throughput, ensure data accuracy, strengthen partner experience, and enable reliable planning. This role advises the VP of Operations on operational efficiency, performance monitoring, technology strategy, and long-term capacity planning. The position manages the ERP Specialist and IT Specialist, leading technical and analytical capabilities that drive improved performance, efficiency, and resilience across the Operations network.
Job Type: Full-time
Position Responsibilities & Essential Functions Operational Strategy and Continuous Improvement
Lead multi-year roadmap to identify inefficiencies and implement operational improvements
Partner with Director of Supply Chain and Director of Operations to establish annual improvement priorities and design and track KPIs aligned with goals
Support strategic sourcing, distribution expansion, and inventory planning decisions
Coach staff on data-driven decision making and operational accountability
Business Process Analysis and Engineering
Benchmark internal processes against industry-leading supply chain practices
Partner with Director of Operations to develop sustainable and repeatable workflow improvements that enhance safety, productivity, and cost efficiency
Recommend standardized policies and procedures that improve quality and workflow efficiency
Data Visualization, Analytics, and Forecasting
Architect and maintain enterprise reporting dashboards (Power BI, Tableau, SQL, Excel)
Conduct modeling, forecasting, and scenario planning to support sourcing, warehouse, and distribution decisions
Govern data structures and reporting standards to ensure accuracy, availability, and compliance
Present insights clearly to executives, Board stakeholders, and partners
IT Leadership and Systems Administration
Provide leadership and oversight for IT support and infrastructure, including hardware, software, network, security, and telecommunications
Guide cybersecurity practices, vendor relationships, and technology policy development
Prioritize technology and software updates and replacement schedules that support productivity and stability
Ensure positive end-user experience and timely issue resolution
Lead strategy for ERP (Ceres/NAV), CRM, warehouse systems, and integrated analytics tools
Translate operational needs into system design, enhancements, and automation initiatives
Oversee testing, rollout, and change management for technology upgrades
Align IT and systems architecture with workflow optimization goals
Warehouse and Facility Optimization
Partner with Director of Operations and Director of Supply Chain in advanced planning for space utilization, staging, labor modeling, and material flow
Provide data-driven insights to inform capital investment and solution design
Change Leadership
Own SOP governance ensuring accuracy, version control, and accessibility
Support training that builds organizational proficiency with data and systems
Guide user adoption and communication for new technologies and process changes
Team Leadership and Development
Set performance expectations for 2 direct reports
Build a high-performing team with strong customer service, process, and systems expertise
Foster a culture of shared learning, accountability, and innovation
Personal Effectiveness
Shows up to work on time and follows instructions, policies and procedures
Shows interest in, anticipates and responds timely to customer needs
Ability to work and communicate with people of diverse backgrounds
Looks for better ways to perform routine aspects of job; asks for and uses feedback to improve performance
Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize and be adaptive to changing needs
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Respects and maintains confidentiality; tells the truth and is honest in all dealings; avoids situations and actions considered inappropriate or which present a conflict of interest
Adheres to all workplace safety standards and practices
Manages own time, priorities and resources to achieve goals
Maintains composure in stressful or adverse situations
Ability to cultivate and develop equitable and inclusive working relationships with staff, volunteers, community partners, vendors and applicants
Computer Skills
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite – specifically Word, Excel, and Outlook
Internet use
Ceres, Salesforce, and other supply chain systems
Experience working with inventory management software is required
Other Skills
Strategic and Systems Thinking – demonstrates ability to connect daily operational decisions to long-term organizational goals
Data-Informed Decision Making – uses data and analytics to identify trends, anticipate needs, and make strategic procurement and distribution choices
Customer Service Mindset – prioritizes experience of agencies, partners, and program guests; translates feedback into actionable service improvements
Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement – implements and reinforces consistent systems, standard work, and metrics to strengthen efficiency, accuracy, and safety across the supply chain
Change Leadership and Adaptability – navigates evolving donor markets, food trends, and community needs with agility; inspires confidence and calm through change
Finance and Budget Management – develops, monitors, and manages sourcing and logistics budgets; aligns financial planning with organizational goals; ensures cost efficiency, responsible use of resources, and transparency in financial decision making
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Operations, Business Analytics, IT, or related field
2+ years leadership experience in supply chain, IT, logistics, or operational setting
2+ years experience supporting ERP systems and analytics in a warehouse/distribution environment
Demonstrated success improving operational performance using data and technology
Preferred
Master’s Degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, Business Analytics, IT, or related field
Experience in food banking, nonprofit logistics, or mission-driven work
Lean/Six Sigma certification or continuous improvement training
Experience with Microsoft NAV/Ceres, Jet Reports, or warehouse technologies
Lived experience with or commitment to racial equity and inclusive community service
Applications due by December 19, 2025 Salary Range $72,600 – $90,700 (based on experience)
Benefit Package Includes
Health Insurance (we pay 90% of premium for full-time employees)
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan with 5% match
Short Term Disability Insurance
Long Term Disability Insurance
Life and AD&D Insurance
Generous Paid Time Off starting at 23 days per year
13 Paid Holidays per year
Employment Transition Pay
Expectations of the Employee
Adheres to Second Harvest Foodbank Policy and Procedures
Acts as a role model within and outside the Foodbank
Performs duties as workload necessitates
Timely and appropriate execution and implementation of plans and ideas
Maintains a positive and respectful attitude
Communicates regularly with supervisor about department issues
Demonstrates flexible and efficient time management and ability to prioritize workload
Consistently reports to work on time prepared to perform duties of position
Actively engages in and promotes an equitable and inclusive work environment
Work Environment Describes representative characteristics of the work environment: professional office environment and distribution center. Uses standard office equipment, moderate noise level, occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts, and occasional travel for meetings and donor visits. Employees may be called in during emergencies to perform essential duties.
Physical Demands Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach, talk, hear. Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, taste and smell. Requires lifting and/or moving up to 30 lbs regularly, occasionally up to 50 lbs.
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Job Type: Full-time
Position Responsibilities & Essential Functions Operational Strategy and Continuous Improvement
Lead multi-year roadmap to identify inefficiencies and implement operational improvements
Partner with Director of Supply Chain and Director of Operations to establish annual improvement priorities and design and track KPIs aligned with goals
Support strategic sourcing, distribution expansion, and inventory planning decisions
Coach staff on data-driven decision making and operational accountability
Business Process Analysis and Engineering
Benchmark internal processes against industry-leading supply chain practices
Partner with Director of Operations to develop sustainable and repeatable workflow improvements that enhance safety, productivity, and cost efficiency
Recommend standardized policies and procedures that improve quality and workflow efficiency
Data Visualization, Analytics, and Forecasting
Architect and maintain enterprise reporting dashboards (Power BI, Tableau, SQL, Excel)
Conduct modeling, forecasting, and scenario planning to support sourcing, warehouse, and distribution decisions
Govern data structures and reporting standards to ensure accuracy, availability, and compliance
Present insights clearly to executives, Board stakeholders, and partners
IT Leadership and Systems Administration
Provide leadership and oversight for IT support and infrastructure, including hardware, software, network, security, and telecommunications
Guide cybersecurity practices, vendor relationships, and technology policy development
Prioritize technology and software updates and replacement schedules that support productivity and stability
Ensure positive end-user experience and timely issue resolution
Lead strategy for ERP (Ceres/NAV), CRM, warehouse systems, and integrated analytics tools
Translate operational needs into system design, enhancements, and automation initiatives
Oversee testing, rollout, and change management for technology upgrades
Align IT and systems architecture with workflow optimization goals
Warehouse and Facility Optimization
Partner with Director of Operations and Director of Supply Chain in advanced planning for space utilization, staging, labor modeling, and material flow
Provide data-driven insights to inform capital investment and solution design
Change Leadership
Own SOP governance ensuring accuracy, version control, and accessibility
Support training that builds organizational proficiency with data and systems
Guide user adoption and communication for new technologies and process changes
Team Leadership and Development
Set performance expectations for 2 direct reports
Build a high-performing team with strong customer service, process, and systems expertise
Foster a culture of shared learning, accountability, and innovation
Personal Effectiveness
Shows up to work on time and follows instructions, policies and procedures
Shows interest in, anticipates and responds timely to customer needs
Ability to work and communicate with people of diverse backgrounds
Looks for better ways to perform routine aspects of job; asks for and uses feedback to improve performance
Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize and be adaptive to changing needs
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Respects and maintains confidentiality; tells the truth and is honest in all dealings; avoids situations and actions considered inappropriate or which present a conflict of interest
Adheres to all workplace safety standards and practices
Manages own time, priorities and resources to achieve goals
Maintains composure in stressful or adverse situations
Ability to cultivate and develop equitable and inclusive working relationships with staff, volunteers, community partners, vendors and applicants
Computer Skills
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite – specifically Word, Excel, and Outlook
Internet use
Ceres, Salesforce, and other supply chain systems
Experience working with inventory management software is required
Other Skills
Strategic and Systems Thinking – demonstrates ability to connect daily operational decisions to long-term organizational goals
Data-Informed Decision Making – uses data and analytics to identify trends, anticipate needs, and make strategic procurement and distribution choices
Customer Service Mindset – prioritizes experience of agencies, partners, and program guests; translates feedback into actionable service improvements
Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement – implements and reinforces consistent systems, standard work, and metrics to strengthen efficiency, accuracy, and safety across the supply chain
Change Leadership and Adaptability – navigates evolving donor markets, food trends, and community needs with agility; inspires confidence and calm through change
Finance and Budget Management – develops, monitors, and manages sourcing and logistics budgets; aligns financial planning with organizational goals; ensures cost efficiency, responsible use of resources, and transparency in financial decision making
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Operations, Business Analytics, IT, or related field
2+ years leadership experience in supply chain, IT, logistics, or operational setting
2+ years experience supporting ERP systems and analytics in a warehouse/distribution environment
Demonstrated success improving operational performance using data and technology
Preferred
Master’s Degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, Business Analytics, IT, or related field
Experience in food banking, nonprofit logistics, or mission-driven work
Lean/Six Sigma certification or continuous improvement training
Experience with Microsoft NAV/Ceres, Jet Reports, or warehouse technologies
Lived experience with or commitment to racial equity and inclusive community service
Applications due by December 19, 2025 Salary Range $72,600 – $90,700 (based on experience)
Benefit Package Includes
Health Insurance (we pay 90% of premium for full-time employees)
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan with 5% match
Short Term Disability Insurance
Long Term Disability Insurance
Life and AD&D Insurance
Generous Paid Time Off starting at 23 days per year
13 Paid Holidays per year
Employment Transition Pay
Expectations of the Employee
Adheres to Second Harvest Foodbank Policy and Procedures
Acts as a role model within and outside the Foodbank
Performs duties as workload necessitates
Timely and appropriate execution and implementation of plans and ideas
Maintains a positive and respectful attitude
Communicates regularly with supervisor about department issues
Demonstrates flexible and efficient time management and ability to prioritize workload
Consistently reports to work on time prepared to perform duties of position
Actively engages in and promotes an equitable and inclusive work environment
Work Environment Describes representative characteristics of the work environment: professional office environment and distribution center. Uses standard office equipment, moderate noise level, occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts, and occasional travel for meetings and donor visits. Employees may be called in during emergencies to perform essential duties.
Physical Demands Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach, talk, hear. Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, taste and smell. Requires lifting and/or moving up to 30 lbs regularly, occasionally up to 50 lbs.
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