Operations Assistant

Title: Operations Assistant

Reports to: Senior Operations Specialist

Status: Part-time, 20 hours a week

Location: Remote within the United States (option to work from our office in Berkeley, CA)

Our Organization

The Center for Good Food Purchasing uses the power of procurement and partnerships to create a transparent and equitable food system for people, animals, and the environment. We do this by helping major institutions nationwide adopt and implement the Good Food Purchasing Program.

Over 70 institutions in 40 major US cities have enrolled in the Program. With a collective annual food spend surpassing $1.2 billion, these institutions and cities are committed to directing their purchasing power toward the five Program values: local and community-based economies, environmental sustainability, valued workforce, animal welfare, and community health and nutrition centered around the principles of equity, transparency, and accountability. Using the Program’s metric- and data-driven framework, they measure and improve food purchasing practices over time.

We also work with national partners, local grassroots coalitions, and institutions to shift toward values-based purchasing from farm to fork and build a cohesive network movement to support more resilient and equitable food systems.

The Center for Good Food Purchasing is a fiscally-sponsored project of Community Partners.

Operations Assistant Summary

The Operations Assistant provides essential administrative support to the Center’s core mission team and staff, enabling smooth day-to-day functioning of the organization. This role supports internal systems management, administrative coordination, staff and board event logistics, and general operational processes. The ideal candidate is a proactive, detail-oriented team player who thrives in a mission-driven organization.

This is a remote role that requires occasional travel. This position is currently funded by a grant through October 2027, and may extend to 24 months from date of hire dependent on a no-cost extension of the grant. This role may be further extended beyond the initial two-year grant, funding dependent. The Center for Good Food Purchasing is based in the Bay Area of California.

Success in this position looks like:

• Daily operational and administrative tasks are completed thoroughly to support the Center's business operations running smoothly.
• The Senior Operations Specialist, Executive Director, and Chief Operating and Financial Officer are receiving timely, reliable support with administrative task items.
• Staff and board events are well-planned and coordinated, with participants experiencing a seamless and welcoming experience.
• People-related processes are thoughtfully executed with intention and align with the Center's goals as a people-first organization.

Essential Functions

Organizational Operations & Systems Support (~70%)

• Ensure staff have the equipment and materials (e.g., laptops) needed for their role; including coordinating with staff for shipping, returns, and inventory maintenance
• Monitor and respond to incoming messages in the information email inbox
• Support onboarding and offboarding processes (e.g., device ordering, account setup, welcome logistics)
• Assist with routine updates of internal organizational documents and procedural guides
• Support with maintenance of organizational systems (e.g., GDrive and CRM)
• Support the Senior Operations Specialist as needed with other activities (e.g., preparing presentations, data entry and review, project management tasks)
• Provide operational support for other internal processes and systems as needed

Core Mission Team Support (~10%)

• Provide administrative support to Core Mission Support team (Executive Director, Chief Operating and Financial Officer), including scheduling, expense reports, and contract and invoice processing

Team Culture (~20%)

• Lead staff appreciation events throughout the year (e.g., staff gifts, end-of-year holiday party)
• Assist the Senior Operations Specialist with event planning and coordination for staff and board retreats (e.g., scheduling, team and vendor coordination, travel and lodging, meeting materials and supplies)
• Participate in staff meetings and events, and contribute to internal culture

Required Qualifications

• Experience with administrative responsibilities or related work experience
• High level of organization with the ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, seek guidance when needed, and meet deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including active listening and effective written communication
• A high degree of initiative to improve processes, problem solve, and advance projects and initiatives
• Ability to understand how individual components of work tie into wider department and organizational goals
• Ability to work independently, collaboratively, and effectively in a virtual environment with a remote team, including regular access to phone, internet, and video conferencing
• Willingness to travel domestically (estimated twice per year)
• Demonstrated commitment to and/or experience working in areas that contribute to social, environmental, racial, and economic equity

Preferred Qualifications

• Event planning and coordination experience
• Experience with Google Suite Workspace, NetSuite, and/or a Customer Relationship Management system
• Comfort with learning new systems and technologies
• Understanding of or interest in organizational structure, business functions, and process optimization
• Experience or interest in building sustainable, equitable, fair, and humane food systems

Compensation & Benefits

The Operations Assistant is a part-time, non-exempt position with an hourly rate of $29. Our compensation is competitive, reflects our size, geographic location, and field; and is commensurate with experience. We conduct an annual review of market-based compensation trends to promote equitable and competitive compensation practices.

The Center for Good Food Purchasing, a fiscally-sponsored project of Community Partners, is a people-first workplace that values flexibility, work-life balance, and restoration. In addition to offering competitive benefits (i.e. medical/dental/vision, disability/life insurance, vacation, and a 403(b) plan with employer match after two years), we also offer generous paid holidays in addition to vacation time (27 holiday days in 2026, which include annual summer and winter breaks), two flexible working Fridays monthly, remote work stipends, an annual professional development budget, travel opportunities, and paid sabbaticals. Benefits eligibility is determined by hours worked in a week.

Community Partners® is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We strongly encourage and seek applications from people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as women, and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. In addition, the organization will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

How to Apply

Applicants applying by Friday, January 16, 2026, will be given priority consideration, with the position open until filled. Submit your application via this form. The form will ask for your contact information, a brief original cover letter written by you in PDF format that describes relevant experience, your resume in PDF format, and two to three professional references.

We invite applicants to highlight their unique skills, experiences, and passion in their applications using their own words. While AI can help you prepare your materials, please make sure to review and personalize them to accurately represent your qualifications and enthusiasm for our organization and mission.

If selected, the interview process will consist of one initial video interview (30 minutes), with the potential for a second video interview (45-60 minutes).

You will receive a response within 2-3 weeks of application close. We respectfully request no calls or emails. Please note that due to the high number of anticipated applicants, we are not able to provide personalized feedback on application materials.

Goodfoodpurchasing.org

Application form URL: [https://forms.gle/U6HZhWkpw5U1kWsb6]

Compensation & Benefits

The Operations Assistant is a part-time, non-exempt position with an hourly rate of $29. Our compensation is competitive, reflects our size, geographic location, and field; and is commensurate with experience. We conduct an annual review of market-based compensation trends to promote equitable and competitive compensation practices.

The Center for Good Food Purchasing, a fiscally-sponsored project of Community Partners, is a people-first workplace that values flexibility, work-life balance, and restoration. In addition to offering competitive benefits (i.e. medical/dental/vision, disability/life insurance, vacation, and a 403(b) plan with employer match after two years), we also offer generous paid holidays in addition to vacation time (27 holiday days in 2026, which include annual summer and winter breaks), two flexible working Fridays monthly, remote work stipends, an annual professional development budget, travel opportunities, and paid sabbaticals. Benefits eligibility is determined by hours worked in a week.

Community Partners® is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We strongly encourage and seek applications from people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as women, and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. In addition, the organization will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.