Colorado Nonprofit Association

Operations Manager

Who We Are

Big Green, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, believes that growing food changes lives. We are on a mission to help everyone in America grow their own food. We provide vital resources to organizations and individuals working to grow food in their communities, including grants, gardening materials and supplies, training, and community.

About the Position

The Operations Manager is responsible for executing and optimizing key operational functions, ensuring smooth day-to-day workflows across the organization. This role focuses on process implementation, logistics, garden product procurement, vendor management, and cross-functional coordination to support organizational goals.

Additionally, this position will support garden product research and development (R&D) efforts and help plan product utilization strategies that align with Big Green’s mission. The ideal candidate is highly organized, data-driven, and experienced in project management with a background in continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and systems optimization.

Candidates with experience in Lean methodology, Six Sigma, or other process improvement frameworks are preferred, along with those who have worked in brick-and-mortar and e-commerce retail operations.

In this role, you will

• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives to optimize operational workflows.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) to enhance efficiency and consistency.
• Support the adoption and integration of technology solutions to improve efficiency in logistics, procurement, and inventory management.
• Collaborate with the Program team to understand programmatic project needs related to garden products.
• Plan and schedule product logistics to ensure timely delivery and alignment with project deadlines and program timelines.
• Provide operational support to ensure products are integrated effectively into programmatic initiatives and community distribution efforts.
• Support product R&D efforts by researching materials, vendors, and product innovations to improve the quality and accessibility of our garden beds.
• Manage Big Green Bus operations, including compliance, maintenance, and repair scheduling, and coordinate transportation logistics for bus-related community events in multiple states.
• Work with internal teams to develop product utilization strategies that align with Big Green’s mission and expand access to food-growing opportunities.
• Track and analyze product performance, gathering insights to improve design, distribution, and end-user experience.
• Oversee day-to-day logistics, procurement, and supply chain coordination to ensure timely and cost-effective product delivery.
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and service agreements, ensuring optimal pricing and performance.
• Track and report on procurement and logistics data to drive informed decision-making.
• Support operational projects, ensuring they align with organizational priorities.
• Work cross-functionally with teams including Program and Advancement to improve processes and ensure seamless collaboration.
• Apply Lean, Six Sigma, or other project management methodologies to optimize workflows and drive efficiency.
• Analyze operational and product data to identify trends, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement.
• Maintain and track operational KPIs, using data insights to optimize processes.
• Support reporting efforts by collecting and maintaining key metrics related to logistics, procurement, inventory, and vendor management.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, operations management, supply chain management, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in operations, logistics, procurement, or related fields.
• Strong project management skills, with experience in Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies preferred.
• Strong planning and execution skills, with the ability to translate vision into action.
• Proven ability to execute and optimize operational processes to drive efficiency.
• Experience in brick-and-mortar and e-commerce operations is highly valued.
• Strong data analysis and reporting skills, with experience using technology and operational systems.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, with the ability to work across teams.
• Vendor management experience, including contract negotiation and performance tracking.
• Experience in product research and development, supply chain planning, or product lifecycle management is a plus. 

Work Hours: Varies upon the needs of the department.

Travel Requirements: This position requires travel 5-10% of the time.

Mental/Physical Requirements: This position will be performed in an office and field setting. The position will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person and by telephone, and frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers. Occasionally required to perform light physical tasks, including lifting up to 25 pounds, bending, kneeling, or standing for prolonged periods while assisting with projects in the field.

Big Green is committed to delivering services, making employment-related decisions, selecting volunteers, and selecting vendors without regard to age over 40, race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, military status, or any other applicable status protected by law.