Northeast Iowa Food Bank

The Food Operations & Safety Lead plays a vital role in supporting the Northeast Iowa Food Bank's mission of providing nutritious food with dignity and compassion. This role ensures the safe, efficient operation of the Cedar Valley Food Pantry through accurate food inventory management, while also maintaining a secure and welcoming environment for clients, volunteers, and staff. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, organized, proactive, and committed to safety, compliance, and service excellence.

The ideal Pantry Operations & Safety Lead for the Northeast Iowa Food Bank (NEIFB) understands and is passionate about the organization’s mission to provide nutritious food and grocery products to those in need in our 16-county service area. This individual will be a vital component of the Impact Department in serving food-insecure individuals through the Cedar Valley Food Pantry. A passion for social justice and compassion for others are keys to being a staff member at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. Cultural competency is of utmost importance, as the Pantry Operations & Safety Lead will work with diverse populations on a regular basis through serving clients and Food Bank events. The Northeast Iowa Food Bank strives to work as a unified team to close the Meal Gap in northeast Iowa; to this end, the Pantry Operations & Safety Lead will need to be capable of working as a team as well as being a self-starter. In addition, maintaining a positive outlook will play a large role in being a motivator and encourager for the community, clients, and staff members alike.

The responsibilities of the Pantry Operations & Safety Lead include, but are not limited to, the following: ‍

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Food Ordering and Inventory Management

• Monitor pantry inventory levels daily, ensuring efficient and strategic outflow of product.

• Utilize Agency Express and Ceres to order and keep stock aligned with client demand and program/warehouse goals.

• Maintain food safety and quality standards through consistent product inspection and rotation in accordance with the FEFO (first expired, first out) principle.

Site Security and Safety Oversight  

• Implement security measures for the pantry, including preventive procedures, monitoring and responding to disruptive behaviors, ensuring a safe environment for all clients, volunteers, and staff.

• Serve as the main point of contact with the local authorities in the event of external security needs.

• Conduct regular walk-throughs to identify food and physical safety concerns or potential hazards.  

• Collaborate with team members and community resources to facilitate and schedule safety training.  

• Document pantry incidents/safety concerns and submit reports to the appropriate department manager.

Operational Support

• Guide Pantry Services Coordinators and volunteers by answering operational questions and supporting adherence to all NEIFB guidelines for food storage and distribution.

• Adhere to all policies and procedures set forth by the Northeast Iowa Food Bank in accordance with AIB, USDA, and Feeding America standards, in addition to local, state, and federal regulations.

• Ensure all pantry clients follow the guidelines listed in the pantry policies

• Assist in maintaining the pantry's cleanliness and functionality.

• Support pantry operations by assisting with client intake and stocking products.

• Greet, train and supervise volunteers as well as share the mission of the NEIFB; provide general guidance of projects; assure proper training of volunteers to include specific jobs and safety concerns. Communicate frequently with volunteers to ensure they are satisfied and appropriately placed.

• In instances of a federal, state or locally declared emergency, NEIFB is typically considered an essential service and emergency responder; all its employees may be called in to perform regular or emergent duties.

• Other duties as assigned to meet Food Bank needs.

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent required plus 4 years’ experience in inventory management, operations or customer service required

• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills

• Demonstrates the ability to respond to disruptive behavior in a calm, professional, and effective manner.

• Culturally competent; has an ability to work with diverse groups and individuals

• Strong organizational, planning, and communication skills

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with diverse team members

• Ability to multitask, delegate, and adhere to deadlines in a fast-paced environment

• Basic computer skills

• Ability to perform physical labor as necessary - can lift up to 50 lbs.

• Must pass a criminal background check

• Ability to obtain SERV safe Food Handler Safety Certification

• Ability to become electric pallet jack and forklift certified

• Valid driver's license, current vehicle insurance and ability to use personal vehicle for OFB business

• Commitment to fulfilling NEIFB's core values  

Preferred:

• Associate degree or 2-4 years’ comparable experience in a related field preferred plus 2 years’ experience in inventory management, operations or customer service.

• Experience with non-profit organizations

• Demonstrates bilingual proficiency in Spanish and/or French, with the ability to read, write and communicate effectively

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Desired:

• Community involvement and knowledge of those communities in our 16-county service area

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Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position operates in both a typical office environment as well as in the warehouse and requires use of a computer and other office equipment, such as phones, calculators, computer printers and copy machines and the ability to operate manual and automatic pallet jacks, cardboard bailer, and cleaning equipment. This position also requires occasional nights and weekends and requires the ability to access transportation to travel to local events.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The position operates primarily in the office intake area, pantry and warehouse setting within the Food Bank. The person in this position must be able to move pallets of food using pallet jacks, stay on their feet, including walking and standing for the duration of the shift and work in the cooler and freezer. The employee will be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry objects up to fifty pounds. Occasionally, it may be required to respond to organizational needs outside of normal working hours.

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NEIFB Core Values

• Attitude of Helpfulness
• Confidently Humble
• Clear Communication
• Empathetic to the Community
• Solution Centered
• Striving for Excellence

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Our Purpose:

Collaborate + Educate + Advocate = Feed the Food Insecure

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Our Niche:

Every Meal. Every Day. Everyone.

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Northeast Iowa Food Bank hereby affirms it is an equal opportunity employer, offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender expression or identity, pregnancy, leave status, genetic information or age and provides Equal Employment Opportunity to handicapped individuals, disabled veterans and veterans of the Vietnam era. Further, the Northeast Iowa Food Bank is an equal opportunity provider.