Distribution Manager, Europe - Madrid - World Central Kitchen

Descripción

Job Title: Distribution Manager

World Central Kitchen is seeking a highly organized and strategic Distribution 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.

Key Responsibilities:

• Activation Management: Respond within four hours' notice to a disaster area to act as Distribution Unit Manager, managing relief operations on the ground, or in rare cases, 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.
• Review and approve supplier invoices in collaboration with the Finance department.
• Manage meal distribution utilizing multiple transportation mechanisms, including but not limited to, helicopters, planes, boats, and vehicles.

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 procurement and logistics 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, 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.

Requirements:

• 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, 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.
• Ability to work well with others and take directions to protect yourself and the team.
• 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).

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.