Distribution Manager, United States

World Central Kitchen is seeking a highly organized and strategic Manager to lead Distribution Operations on the ground and ensure the rapid, effective and streamlined allocation of food aid to disaster-affected communities. The ideal candidate thrives in fast-moving, rapidly changing environments, demonstrates exceptional attention to detail, and excels at complex informational management. The Distribution Manager leads the quick and systematic identification and onboarding of food vendors, coordinates the timely scheduling and delivery of food aid- including logistics from restaurants, WCK kitchens or WCK warehouses; and maintains up-to-date tracking systems for all deliveries. Also, oversees the support and mentorship provided to vendors to help increase their production capacity, strengthening their role as key community stakeholders and generating a positive, lasting impact for both the restaurants and the communities they serve.

This role also oversees the setup and service at distribution sites, ensuring meals are served with dignity, compassion and quality as an opportunity to restore a sense of normalcy, care, and human connection in times of crisis, making each meal a gesture of solidarity with the communities WCK support. The Distribution Manager plays a critical role in building and training locally led response teams in order to coordinate the efficient and effective provision of food resources promptly. The Distribution Manager is responsible for ensuring food aid rapidly reaches communities in need in alignment with WCK’s North Star values.

Duration: The Distribution Manager is a two (2) year contract term position with the opportunity for renewal, offering a unique chance to lead and shape WCK's responses.

This position reports directly to the Response Director during activations, and the Senior Manager while off activation. 

Preferred Location(s): West & South USA. Must live within one (1) hour of an international airport.

• California
• Louisiana
• Texas
• Florida

Key Responsibilities:

Activation Management

• Respond within four (4) hours notice to a disaster area to act as Distribution Unit Manager, managing relief operations on the ground remotely.
• Lead and manage field teams specializing in distribution systems, mapping needs and deliveries, and meal allocation. Ensure strategic and streamlined implementation of relief activities on the ground, operationalizing WCK’s North Star values.
• Design and implement response strategies in the field that are adaptable and robust enough to function in high-stress, dynamic environments affected by natural disasters or conflicts.
• Recruit, onboard, train and manage distribution teams, including local hires and Corps members in the field. 
• Consult on the scope of the response, and manage or implement distribution operations.
• Provide regular updates on operations to the Response Director to ensure ongoing, transparent information sharing across the organization. 
• Collaborate with all WCK departments on the ground, or remotely to support the needs of the activation.  
• Ensure smooth transitions and complete handovers with other Managers, and between Response Corps team members when rotating field teams through phases of the activation.
• Complete the After-Action Report process immediately following activation wind-down, collating and drawing learnings for process improvement.

Distribution Operations

• Rapidly develop and maintain effective processes for large-scale, timely and reliable delivery of meals, bulk products, food kits, and other resources to disaster-affected areas. 
• Organize, map and manage dynamic distribution plans and route schedules using visual aids.
• Manage accurate and timely operational information associated with suppliers, recipients, and meal deliveries; ensuring teams have oversight and knowledge of distribution information, as needed. 
• Research, recruit, onboard and manage food vendor partners (restaurants, catering companies, food trucks, etc) ensuring compliance with financial protocols and alignment with WCK culinary guidelines.
• With the Culinary Team, provides support and mentorship to food vendors to help increase their production capacity, strengthening their role as key community stakeholders.
• Review and approve supplier and fleet vendor invoices in collaboration with the Finance department.
• Manage meal distribution logistics, utilizing multiple transportation mechanisms, including but not limited to, helicopters, planes, boats, and vehicles.
• Oversee the setup and service at distribution sites, ensuring that every meal is served with dignity, compassion and quality.
• Responsible for ensuring the visibility and identification of meals as part of WCK’s response, through the appropriate use of branding materials, to promote recognition and connection with the communities being served.

Budgeting and Logistics

• Work with the finance team and Response Director to share cost projections for distribution operations, focusing on meal production and logistical needs.
• Collaborate with the supply chain team to source materials and supplies efficiently and ensure timely delivery to affected areas.
• Ensure the proper handling and safeguarding of organizational resources on responses.

Personnel Management and Training

• Recruit, onboard, train, and motivate diverse distribution teams on activation, ensuring a high-performance culture aligned with WCK’s North Star. 
• Provide leadership, mentorship, training and support to team members, promoting a culture of urgency, accountability, adaptability and continuous learning within the team.
• Address personnel issues on activations in real-time, and provide regular performance feedback on Corps members. 
• Support the recruitment of Corps members, and manage personnel effectively on the ground to foster growth and ensure a diverse pipeline of activation leadership.
• Identify professional development needs and gaps in distribution capabilities to arrange for appropriate training, and provide this feedback to relevant stakeholders for implementation.  

Community and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with local communities first. 
• Ensure the teams conduct outreach and engagement activities that contribute to WCK’s reputation as an effective, compassionate, and reliable relief organization.
• Represent WCK in the field, acting as an ambassador to beneficiaries, partners, and the media, as required.

• Ability to spend up to 70% of the time in the field. The typical duration of an activation is four (4) weeks, though timelines could be longer. 
• Must live within one (1) hour of an international airport or be willing to relocate. 
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to remote and potentially hazardous locations within four hours notice.
• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent preferred, or 5+ years of experience in management roles, preferably in fast paced, ever changing environments; including military, emergency response, culinary, hospitality, logistics, humanitarian, or event management settings. 
• Experience leading, training, and coaching large teams in challenging and rapidly changing environments. 
• Ability to work independently with minimal infrastructure and resources.
• Willingness to work in challenging environments with austere living conditions. For example, responders may not have access to running water, communications, or electricity and they may have to sleep outdoors and use bucket toilets.
• Ability to work well with others and take directions to protect yourself and the team.
• Capable of managing multiple simultaneous projects through effective planning, organization, operational execution, and oversight; demonstrating the ability to prioritize tasks.
• Demonstrated negotiation and diplomacy skills in complex and potentially volatile situations.
• Exhibit a calm and composed demeanor during crisis situations, with the capacity to make sound decisions under pressure.
• Be physically fit and have the stamina to work long hours doing physically demanding tasks in varying and potentially extreme climates.
• Strong mental resilience and emotional intelligence to cope with the stressors associated with working in conflict environments.
• Display cultural awareness and sensitivity, recognizing and respecting diverse backgrounds that allow us to positively work with local communities.
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in additional languages relevant to common disaster or conflict zones is highly desirable (Spanish, French, Portuguese).
• Must have a valid Driver's License.
• Must have a valid Passport.

By joining us as a Distribution Manager, you will dedicate your professional expertise to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by crises. Your leadership will ensure that our response efforts are prompt, strategic, and compassionate, delivering hope and essential aid at a time when it is needed most.

Application & Cover Letter Instructions
This application REQUIRES a cover letter that clearly articulates your interest in working with World Central Kitchen. We aim to understand your passion for our mission, please elaborate on how your experience aligns with the responsibilities detailed in the job description. Only applications accompanied by a cover letter will be considered for further review. We encourage you to express your genuine voice and avoid using generic cover letters.

References and Background Checks
To help ensure the safety of our communities and our teams, our selection process will include reference and background checks, subject to any legal or regulatory requirements.

Equal Opportunity
WCK is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusion and diversity and to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristics.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment at this time.

E-Verify
For US based employment, WCK participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. Please view the E-Verify posters here with important information.

Para empleados en los EEUU, WCK participa en E-Verify y proporcionará al gobierno federal la información de su Formulario I-9 para confirmar que usted está autorizado para trabajar en los EE.UU.. Los empleadores sólo pueden utilizar E-Verify una vez que usted haya aceptado una oferta de trabajo y completado el Formulario I-9. Haz clic aquí para ver los carteles de E-Verify con información importante.

No recruiters or agencies, please.

WCK Employee Benefits Overview

• ZERO Premiums: WCK covers 100% of insurance premiums for employees and their dependents, including medical, dental, vision, and group life coverage. Benefits begin on your date of hire.
• Voluntary Benefits:
•  Options include:
• Additional Life Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Supplemental AD&D
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Dependent Care and Health Care)
• 403(b) Retirement Plan:
•  WCK offers a 50% match up to 8% of employee salary deferrals, beginning within 30 days of hire.
• Life & Disability Insurance:
•  100% employer-sponsored group life and disability insurance provided within 30 days.
• Paid Time Off (PTO):
•  Responsible PTO, including vacation, sick, and personal leave, plus paid holidays.
• Growth Opportunities:
•  Learning and development support to grow your career.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP):
•  Free and confidential support for life’s challenges.
• Annual Salary Reviews and additional benefits outlined in the Personnel Manual.

Salary Range: $80,000 - $100,000 USD

Why Join Us?

Innovative Environment: Be part of a forward-thinking team that values creativity and innovation.
Global Impact: Your work will have a direct impact on building a diverse and talented global team.
Professional Growth: Opportunities for continuous learning and career development.
Dynamic Team: Work with a supportive and enthusiastic team that values collaboration and fun.

If you’re ready to bring your unique talents to a role that’s as challenging as it is rewarding, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today and let’s build the future of World Central Kitchen together!

WCK is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Join us in being a part of WCK's global talent journey!