Food Operations & Logistics Manager

Position Summary

The Food Operations & Logistics Manager is the heartbeat of our food assistance program. Unlike a commercial warehouse with predictable shipments, our pantry operates in a state of organized abundance. You will manage a high-volume, donation-based inventory where the “stock” changes daily.

As the sole staff member on the warehouse floor, your primary tool is our volunteer team. You must be as comfortable coaching a first-time volunteer on food safety as you are navigating the logistics of a surprise 2,000 lb. donation. This role requires a leader who is process-oriented but people-focused.

The Programs Team

Within our broader mission, the Programs department ensures aid is delivered with dignity through two specialized leadership roles: the Programs Manager, who directs “Front-of-House” operations (client intake and case management), and the Food Pantry Manager (This Role), who directs “Back-of-House” operations (warehouse logistics, inventory flow, and volunteer-led fulfillment).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

On-the-Floor Leadership

• Tactical Management: Serve as the sole staff authority on the pantry floor, directing daily volunteer teams (5–15 people) to ensure tasks are completed accurately and safely.
• Culture Setting: Foster a work environment rooted in Catholic social teaching—ensuring every volunteer and client is treated with radical hospitality and dignity.
• Training & Safety: Train and oversee volunteers to pantry-specific protocols, including USDA food safety standards, heavy lifting techniques, and client privacy.

Dynamic Logistics

• Triage & Sorting: Manage the intake of unpredictable donations; oversee the immediate sorting of perishables to minimize waste and maximize distribution.
• Stewardship: Monitor stock levels and coordinate with the Director of Programs to purchase supplemental items to ensure nutritional balance.
• Compliance: Maintain meticulous records for internal purposes and food bank partner audits, ensuring a clean, "client-ready" warehouse every morning.

Community & Mobile Outreach

• Mobile Pantry: Lead the logistics for off-site distributions, ensuring they are as organized and dignified as our main warehouse operations.
• Partnerships: Act as the face of House of Mercy for food donors and partner pantries, maintaining the relationships that keep our shelves full.

What We’re Looking For

• The “Pivoter” Mindset: You enjoy the puzzle of a changing floor and can rewrite the daily plan when a donor drops off three pallets of unannounced goods.
• Servant Leadership: Proven experience managing people who don’t have to be there (volunteers). You lead through inspiration and organization, not just authority.
• Operational Grit: 2+ years of experience in logistics, retail management, or nonprofit operations.
• Physical Stamina: Ability to sustain physical activity across the workday, including standing, walking the floor, and repeated handling of items weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Mission Alignment: A heart for the poor and a respect for the Catholic faith and its Magisterium.

What We Offer

• Full-time salary with benefits (health, dental, paid time off, holidays).
• A collaborative, mission-driven work environment where your contributions are valued.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth.
• The chance to make a meaningful impact on the community and the lives of volunteers.

To Apply

Please submit your resume and a cover letter to rmurphy@houseofmercyva.org. To help us get to know you better, please ensure your letter answers:

• The Why: Why are you interested in this position specifically, and how do your skills align with the mission of a faith-based nonprofit?
• The How: How do you adapt your leadership style when working with volunteers versus professional staff?

The Shift: If you are moving from a different field, what motivates this change and makes you the right fit for the Food Pantry?

What We Offer

• Full-time salary with benefits (health, dental, paid time off, holidays).
• A collaborative, mission-driven work environment where your contributions are valued.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth.
• The chance to make a meaningful impact on the community and the lives of volunteers.