Rosemont, IL
Posted: 14-Jan-26
Location: Rosemont, IL
Type: Full Time
Salary: $80,000-$85,000
Preferred Education:
Additional Information:
The Director of Industry Programs and Professional Development plays a key role on the FEDA staff by working with the CEO and other team members to plan and manage programs, services, and activities that advance and support the association's strategic and operational goals.
FEDA is seeking a driven, results-oriented Director to own and elevate the foodservice equipment and supplies industry programming and professional development initiatives. This role is ideal for someone with supply chain, distribution, or manufacturing experience who thrives on building programs that deliver real value.
The Director will take the lead on FEDA's annual conference programming, online learning through the Learn Institute (learn.feda.com), and two volunteer leadership councils focused on supply chain strategy and operational excellence. The Director will also drive the growth of FEDA's distributor peer mentoring program and the new Bridge Partnership.
This role requires a proactive self-starter who identifies gaps, brings forward ideas, and continuously improves how FEDA serves its dealer and manufacturer members.
Program Planning for the Annual Conference and Online Education (Learn Institute)
- Own the content strategy for FEDA's conference and Learn Institute programming, working closely with the CEO to determine themes, speakers, and formats that anticipate industry priorities and align with the association's strategic goals.
- Identify and recruit speakers, panelists, and subject matter experts who bring credibility and actionable insights to our members.
- Analyze program feedback and engagement data to measure impact and continuously improve content and delivery.
- Coordinate with the Meetings and Events Manager to ensure programming and logistics are aligned throughout the year.
- Ensure speakers are fully prepared and supported, delivering a polished, professional experience.
- Stay ahead of industry trends by proactively monitoring developments in distribution, supply chain, and foodservice equipment and supplies industry and translate them into timely, relevant programming.
- Keep programming current as FEDA initiatives, member priorities, and delivery tools evolve.
- Identify gaps in current offerings and develop new content, partnerships, or delivery methods to address them.
- Ensure live and on-demand content through learn.feda.com reflects industry priorities and strategic goals, is delivered successfully, and is evaluated for impact, including oversight of the associated certification program.
- Research potential education and training partnerships and nurture and grow existing ones.
Council Leadership
- Work with the CEO to plan and drive the execution of FEDA’s Future of Distribution Council and Emerging Dealers Council, two member groups tackling critical supply chain and operational challenges.
- Develop agendas, coordinate speakers and facilitators, and prepare members to engage productively.
- Capture key insights and action items from meetings; synthesize information and drive follow-through to ensure discussions lead to measurable outcomes.
Mentoring and Partnership Programs
- Lead the continued development and growth of FEDA’s distributor peer mentoring program and the Bridge Partnership, ensuring they achieve organizational and member goals.
- Partner with program stakeholders to evaluate effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work across FEDA’s team, including communications, membership, tech initiatives, and events, to ensure programming aligns with broader association goals and member needs.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify opportunities where programming can support or amplify other FEDA initiatives.
Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in supply chain, distribution, manufacturing, corporate training and development, or related field.
- Demonstrated success in building or managing programs that deliver measurable results.
- Ability to learn, understand, and support the foodservice equipment industry’s evolving needs, as well as the needs of the industry’s various types of individual distribution and manufacturing companies.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to lead multiple projects, meet deadlines, and keep stakeholders aligned simultaneously.
- Ability to translate complex discussions into clear action items and follow through to completion.
- Proven ability to work independently, take ownership, and drive results while keeping leadership informed.
- Comfortable analyzing feedback and data to inform decisions and improve programs.
- Proficiency with webinar platforms, learning management systems, or other digital tools for delivering online content.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage credibly with senior industry professionals and present ideas with confidence.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
Desired Skills
Industry Knowledge
- Familiarity with distribution operations, dealer/manufacturer dynamics, or B2B supply chain environments.
- Ability to engage with industry professionals and understand their business challenges.
- Practical, business-minded approach to problem-solving.
Leadership
- Highest personal and professional integrity and strong work ethic.
- Self-starter who takes ownership and drives results.
- Proactive in identifying problems and solving them without waiting for direction.
- Strong interest in learning new things and developing new skills.
Relationship Management
- Ability to support the staff’s service relationship to members and volunteers to consistently provide responsive and respectful assistance to them.
- Ability to develop and manage cooperative and constructive relationships across all business and functional areas.
- Collaborative team player orientation toward work relationships.
- Effectiveness in building trust, respect, and cooperation in teams and volunteer committees.