Why The Store Is Hiring Its First COO
The Store is looking for our first Chief Operating Officer.
Saying it out loud still feels significant. Not because it's a big title, but because of what it means for where we're going.
The Store has grown faster than any of us imagined. Two locations. Thousands of neighbors served. A model that's proving something important about what food access can look like when dignity is at the center.
But growth like that creates real work. The kind of work that requires someone who can build systems that last, bring rigor without losing warmth, and step in as a true operational partner so we can keep moving forward with both our hearts and our heads.
That's who we're looking for.
We need someone who brings operational excellence and genuine financial acumen. Someone who's built teams and scaled organizations. Someone who leads with emotional intelligence and understands that in a mission-driven environment, how you do the work matters as much as what gets done.
This isn't just a management role. It's a legacy-building opportunity for someone who wants to help shape how a growing nonprofit becomes what it's meant to be.
If that resonates with you, or if you know someone it might, I'd encourage you to reach out directly to Chris Spagnola at Thinking Ahead Executive Search (cspagnola@thinkingahead.com). Check out the full position description here: https://thinkingahead.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/The-Store_COO_Position-Announcement_opt.pdf
As The Store continues to grow and serve more neighbors across Middle Tennessee, we are searching for our first Chief Operating Officer - a leader who can help scale the organization while preserving the dignity, warmth, and community that define our mission. This reflection explores what this moment of growth means, the kind of leadership we’re looking for, and why this role represents more than operations - it’s an opportunity to help shape the future of a mission-driven organization.
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