Job Title: Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Department: Executive Leadership
Type: Full-time - Salary
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Position Summary:
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as Maui Food Bank's senior operational leader, responsible for turning vision into action and ensuring the organization operates with excellence every day.
Reporting to the CEO, the COO provides executive leadership for Maui Food Bank's three core service area subdepartments—Sourcing, Operations, and Agency & Programs (Distribution)—while developing leaders, strengthening organizational systems, building trusted relationships, and fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
This leader is responsible for building the organizational capacity needed to support Maui Food Bank's future growth, expanded community impact, and long-term sustainability. Success in this role is measured not only by operational performance, but by the development of people, the strength of relationships, and the organization's ability to fulfill its mission for generations to come.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
Partner with the CEO to execute organizational priorities, advance strategic initiatives, and support the long-term vision of Maui Food Bank.
- Provide executive leadership for organizational growth and capacity, including future facilities, expanded storage and distribution, disaster readiness, and other strategic initiatives that strengthen service throughout Maui County.
- Prepare and present operational updates, recommendations, and reports to the CEO, Board of Directors, and other key stakeholders.
- Represent Maui Food Bank with professionalism and integrity in meetings with community partners, government agencies, donors, and other external stakeholders as delegated by the CEO.
Operational Excellence
Provide executive oversight of Maui Food Bank's three core service area subdepartments—Sourcing, Operations, and Agency & Programs (Distribution) ensuring they operate as one coordinated team in support of the organization's mission.
- Lead organizational performance by aligning departmental priorities, strengthening communication, removing barriers, and promoting shared accountability.
- Develop scalable systems, workflows, and standard operating procedures that improve efficiency, consistency, and long-term organizational effectiveness.
- Use operational data and meaningful performance measures to guide decision-making, evaluate outcomes, and drive continuous improvement.
- Ensure organizational readiness for Feeding America Network Standards Reviews (NSR), audits, disaster response, regulatory compliance, and operational risk management.
People & Culture
People are Maui Food Bank's greatest asset. The COO is expected to build leaders who build others.
- Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain high-performing leaders while fostering a culture rooted in integrity, trust, collaboration, accountability, compassion, and continuous learning.
- Coach directors through leadership development, performance management, succession planning, and organizational change.
- Create an environment where employees feel supported, challenged, and empowered to do meaningful work in service of the community.
- Lead with humility, emotional intelligence, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to helping others succeed.
Growth & Community Impact
The COO helps build the future of Maui Food Bank by strengthening the organization's capacity to serve the community today while preparing for tomorrow.
- Partner with the CEO to develop the operational infrastructure needed to support future growth, including facility expansion, increased disaster response capabilities, and expanded storage and distribution opportunities across Maui County, including Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Hāna.
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with employees, volunteers, agencies, donors, farmers, government partners, vendors, and community organizations.
- Communicate operational accomplishments, opportunities, and challenges with transparency while strengthening collaboration across departments and with external partners.
- Champion a culture of innovation, stewardship, and continuous improvement that enables Maui Food Bank to increase its impact for the communities it serves.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in a related field is preferred but not required. An equivalent combination of education, professional certifications, military service, and progressively responsible leadership experience will be considered.
- Minimum of seven years of progressive leadership experience with increasing operational responsibility.
- Demonstrated success leading multiple departments or business units through other leaders.
- Experience building high-performing teams, improving organizational systems and processes, and leading through growth and change.
- Strong financial, strategic planning, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, including the ability to effectively communicate with executive leadership, the Board of Directors, employees, community partners, government agencies, and donors.
Leadership Competencies
- A strategic thinker who can translate vision into action.
- A servant leader who develops people and builds strong teams.
- A systems thinker who embraces continuous improvement and organizational excellence.
- A trusted communicator who builds authentic relationships and collaborates effectively with diverse stakeholders.
- A leader of integrity who balances accountability with compassion.
- Adaptable, resilient, and energized by growth, change, and opportunities to strengthen the organization.
- Passionate about serving the community and advancing Maui Food Bank's mission.
Position Type
Full-Time, Salaried, Exempt Executive Leadership Position
In-Person Role Based on Maui
Reports Directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Some evening and inter-island travel required.
BASE SALARY RANGE: $115,000 - $135,000+ aligned with experience. Benefits provided. Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to Brandi Saragosa at [email protected] by Friday August 14, 2026. Questions may be directed to the same address. Candidate interviews will be held from August 17 to August 28.
Pay: $100,000.00 - $135,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
