Director of Operations

Job Description

Job Description

Description :

Location : Iowa City–Cedar Rapids Corridor (multi-site leadership)

Reports to : Chief Executive Officer

Employment Type : Full-Time, Exempt

About New Pioneer Food Co-op

New Pioneer Food Co-op is a community-owned grocery cooperative built on people, quality, and sustainability. We’re passionate about supporting local producers, creating a welcoming experience for every shopper, and fostering a workplace where staff can thrive.

About the Role

The Director of Operations provides leadership and direction for New Pioneer store locations. This role ensures that our teams deliver outstanding service, operational excellence, and financial accountability while reflecting the cooperative’s values every day.

You’ll work closely with Store Team Leaders and department heads to align daily operations with strategic goals. You’ll also partner with HR, Finance, Purchasing, and Marketing to create efficient systems, consistent standards, and strong communication across all sites.

You’ll lead with presence, patience, and respect. Listen to understand, not to react. Build trust through follow-through, consistency, and clarity. Coach others toward growth by setting expectations, offering timely feedback, and creating space for staff to problem-solve and contribute ideas. Model steadiness in change, balancing care for people with care for the work. Engage in conflict with curiosity and transparency, supporting accountability without blame or avoidance. Lastly, you’ll demonstrate a grounded commitment to inclusion and belonging, ensuring every team member feels seen, valued, and part of shared success.

Requirements : What You Will Do

• Lead and support Store leaders to achieve excellence in service, safety, and performance.
• Align staffing, scheduling, and inventory planning with financial and operational goals.
• Partner with HR to develop leaders, promote accountability, and build a culture of trust and growth.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure consistent brand, member, and shopper experience.
• Review performance data, identify opportunities for improvement, and drive action plans that deliver results.
• Contribute to annual planning, budgets, and cooperative-wide strategies.

What Success Looks Like

What You’ll Bring

Compensation & Benefits

This position offers a competitive salary aligned with market benchmarks for similar cooperative roles, plus a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, paid time off, staff discounts, and retirement plan options.