DISTRIBUTION MANAGER, LATIN AMERICA

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, and maintains up-to-date tracking systems for all deliveries.
This role 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.
uration.
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).
Central and South America.
Must live within one (1) hour of an international airport.
Guatemala City, Guatemala San Pedro Sula, Honduras Mexico City, Mexico Santiago, Chile São Paulo, Brazil Key Responsibilities.
ctivation Management Respond within four (4) 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.