Operations Manager- Never Alone Community Food Pantry

Overview

The Operations Manager ensures that pantry and warehouse operations run smoothly, safely, and efficiently—so that every family receives food with dignity, every volunteer feels supported, and the organization remains organized, compliant, and prepared to serve the community effectively.

The Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily logistics and execution of pantry, warehouse, and distribution operations to ensure food moves efficiently and safely from donation to delivery to the individuals and families served.

This role partners closely with the Development Director and reports to the President. The Operations Manager leads staff and volunteers, manages inventory and food safety compliance, coordinates distributions, and maintains an organized, welcoming environment. This position serves as the central hub for operational excellence—ensuring that people, processes, and resources work seamlessly to support Never Alone’s mission.

Key Responsibilities

Food Logistics & Distribution

• • Manage food sourcing, including ordering through Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) and other partners
  • Collaborate with the retail pickup team to coordinate food recovery efforts
  • Oversee receiving, inspection, stocking, and inventory control using FIFO (First In, First Out) standards
  • Plan and execute pantry operations and warehouse distribution activities
  • Align inventory levels with anticipated demand to minimize waste and shortages

Volunteer & Staff Management

• • Supervise the Volunteer Coordinator, support staff, and 200+ volunteers.
  • Train, mentor, and support team members and volunteers to ensure smooth daily operations
  • Foster a positive, respectful, and mission-driven culture for staff and volunteers
  • Anticipate volunteer shortages, minimize turnover and recruit new volunteers to ensure stable workforce availability.
  • Step in as needed to support or backfill operational roles

Food Safety & Compliance

• • Enforce all food safety standards, including USDA guidelines, food bank partner requirements, and ServSafe protocols
  • Monitor and document required temperature controls for refrigeration, freezers, and storage areas
  • Maintain clean, sanitary conditions throughout pantry and warehouse facilities
  • Ensure staff and volunteers are trained in proper food handling, storage, and safety procedures
  • Coordinate pest control services and maintain compliance records

Facility & Equipment Management

• • Maintain organized, efficient pantry and warehouse environments
  • Oversee maintenance and proper use of equipment (refrigeration units, pallet jacks, vehicles.)
  • Ensure facilities are clean, safe, and ready for daily operations
  • Coordinate repairs, preventative maintenance, and safety improvements

Client Experience

• • Foster a welcoming, respectful, and dignified experience for all clients.
  • Manage client flow to promote efficiency, safety, and accessibility
  • Address operational issues related to client services promptly and professionally

Qualifications & Experience

• • Five plus years of experience in operations, logistics, warehouse management, or nonprofit food distribution preferred
  • Strong organizational, leadership, and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to manage teams in a fast-paced, hands-on environment
  • Proficiency with basic computer systems and ability to learn tools such as Square, Oasis, Microsoft Word and Excel, Volgistics, and reporting platforms
  • Knowledge of food safety standards (Manager ServSafe certification preferred. Certification will be required within first six months in the role.)
  • Ability to lift 20–40 lbs. and work in a warehouse environment
  • Strong communication skills with a collaborative, solutions-oriented mindset

Core Competencies

• • Operational leadership and execution
  • Team and volunteer management
  • Process improvement and organization
  • Problem-solving and adaptability
  • Commitment to mission-driven service

Reporting Structure

Reports to the President and works in close partnership with the Development Director. Collaborates regularly with organizational leadership and the Board of Directors

What This Role Is Not

• • This is not a corporate role. This is a mission first, philanthropic role requiring creative problem solving, resilience, and a heart for serving others. If you want meaningful work that makes a positive difference in the lives of others, then this is the role for you.
  • This is not a purely administrative or supervisory role. This operation is lean to ensure that financial donations benefit the mission as much as possible without excessive administrative costs. The Operations Manager is expected to be actively engaged in daily pantry and warehouse operations and a partner in optimizing costs to operate and improving guest experience.
  • This is not a desk-only position. The role requires regular presence on the floor, supporting distributions, managing inventory, and assisting the team as needed.
  • This is not a predictable, static environment. With over 200 volunteers, variable food availability, and surges in need, the ability to adapt quickly, manage changing priorities, and respond to real-time operational needs is essential.

Benefits

• Employees receive two (2) weeks of paid vacation annually.
• Additional benefits may be available and will be discussed during the interview process.

About Never Alone

Never Alone is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing food and hope to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity across Cherokee, Pickens, and Bartow counties in Georgia.

Operations include:

• A client-choice pantry located in Woodstock, Georgia
• Mobile food distributions serving rural communities via refrigerated trucks
• A warehouse facility in Ball Ground, Georgia focused on food storage, packing, and volunteer engagement

Never Alone partners with volunteers, businesses, churches, and community organizations to extend its reach and impact. The organization operates six days per week, year-round, with closures only on major holidays.

Employment Requirements & Work Environment

• All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check and drug screening.
• Never Alone maintains a drug-free, alcohol-free, and tobacco-free work environment.
• The use of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco is prohibited during working hours, whether on-site or off-site while conducting organizational business.

Operation is closed on all major holidays. 2 weeks vacation offered per year for a full year of employment.

Proficient in English. Basic Spanish is helpful.