Operations Director
Opportunity
The Emanuel Food Pantry is seeking an organized leader who loves working with people and volunteers to serve as the Operations Director (OD). This person will possess the operations skills to direct the work of volunteers needed to receive and properly store bulk foods (both donated and purchased) and pack those groceries for distribution to over six hundred families each week. The OD will have experience nurturing, motivating and training volunteers, and the organizational skills to direct the work of approximately ninety volunteers over a dozen work teams per week. The Operations Director must enjoy networking, building a strong relationship with the food providers, and other organizations that provide many of the volunteers. The OD will report to the person assigned by the Advisory Committee, and work with the committee to improve the Pantry’s effectiveness and efficiency.
About the Emanuel Food Pantry
The mission of the Emanuel Food Pantry is to provide fresh, nutritious food to families facing food insecurity, with a particular focus on underserved communities. By providing healthy food, we are addressing the multiple detrimental effects of food insecurity, enhancing personal dignity, and improving health outcomes.
In 2010, the congregation of Iglesia Emanuel began preparing dinners every Wednesday evening for about 60 people from the community, followed by a very small food pantry. The Covid-19 pandemic forced the end of the shared dinners, but the church decided to move the food distribution outdoors to the parking lot. In response to growing food insecurity, the Food Pantry quickly found itself serving over 600 families every week. To ensure the sustainability of the Food Pantry, a 501(c)(3) was formed in July 2023, separate from the church, to operate the food pantry.
Due in part to our location and history, 72% of the clients we serve are Hispanic, 20% are African-American, and the rest are white or other refugee communities.
Food banks, individuals, and other organizations donate a significant amount of food, but the Food Pantry purchases additional food every week from private wholesale suppliers. Local community organizations, the county government, and individuals contribute the funding to enable these wholesale purchases.
In addition to the two part-time volunteers who currently manage the Pantry, several dedicated volunteers and members of the Advisory Committee are trained and will continue to be responsible for the following functions:
OD Responsibilities
Volunteer Coordination
Food Acquisition
Food Preparation and Distribution
Position Requirements
Preferred Qualities
Compensation
Application and Selection
Using the link below, please submit a cover letter and resume. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. References will be required of finalists. Credit and background checks will be conducted before a final offer is made.
Apply Here
https://forms.gle/ogAY6GKeESsR5G9o6
The Emanuel Food Pantry is an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the
basis of race, religion, color, gender identity, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or
any other basis covered by applicable law.
The Emanuel Food Pantry is seeking an organized leader who loves working with people and volunteers to serve as the Operations Director (OD). This person will possess the operations skills to direct the work of volunteers needed to receive and properly store bulk foods (both donated and purchased) and pack those groceries for distribution to over six hundred families each week. The OD will have experience nurturing, motivating and training volunteers, and the organizational skills to direct the work of approximately ninety volunteers over a dozen work teams per week. The Operations Director must enjoy networking, building a strong relationship with the food providers, and other organizations that provide many of the volunteers. The OD will report to the person assigned by the Advisory Committee, and work with the committee to improve the Pantry’s effectiveness and efficiency.
About the Emanuel Food Pantry
The mission of the Emanuel Food Pantry is to provide fresh, nutritious food to families facing food insecurity, with a particular focus on underserved communities. By providing healthy food, we are addressing the multiple detrimental effects of food insecurity, enhancing personal dignity, and improving health outcomes.
In 2010, the congregation of Iglesia Emanuel began preparing dinners every Wednesday evening for about 60 people from the community, followed by a very small food pantry. The Covid-19 pandemic forced the end of the shared dinners, but the church decided to move the food distribution outdoors to the parking lot. In response to growing food insecurity, the Food Pantry quickly found itself serving over 600 families every week. To ensure the sustainability of the Food Pantry, a 501(c)(3) was formed in July 2023, separate from the church, to operate the food pantry.
Due in part to our location and history, 72% of the clients we serve are Hispanic, 20% are African-American, and the rest are white or other refugee communities.
Food banks, individuals, and other organizations donate a significant amount of food, but the Food Pantry purchases additional food every week from private wholesale suppliers. Local community organizations, the county government, and individuals contribute the funding to enable these wholesale purchases.
In addition to the two part-time volunteers who currently manage the Pantry, several dedicated volunteers and members of the Advisory Committee are trained and will continue to be responsible for the following functions:
- Fundraising
- Grant funding and research
- Pantry website
- Quarterly newsletter
- Organization of special events
- Building relationships with government staff, elected officials, funding agencies and other local food banks
OD Responsibilities
Volunteer Coordination
- Build and train individuals and teams of volunteers to take responsibility for various functions and shifts of the Pantry
- Nurture volunteer relationships and grow volunteer networks with partner organizations, other community groups, and with many individuals
- Track volunteers to ensure adequate personnel for the various shifts and maintain volunteer records (e.g., sign-in sheets, online sign-up)
Food Acquisition
- Carry out duties of food inventory, acquisition, and storage
- Review inventory of shelf-stable foods (e.g. beans, rice, pasta and canned goods) to determine needs for upcoming weeks, and order additional dry goods
- Assess the quantity and quality of donated perishable foods (e.g., fruits and vegetables), and quickly order additional perishable foods from the most suitable sources to arrive in time to be packed for the Wednesday afternoon distribution
- Direct volunteers to pick up food donated by grocery stores
- Maintain inventory of supplies such as boxes and bags
- Coordinate cardboard recycling and compost services
- Maintain communication and provide reports to the food banks, private food distributors and grocery stores that donate and sell food to the Pantry
Food Preparation and Distribution
- Decide the amount and type of shelf-stable and perishable food to be included in each bag and box for distribution to families
- Direct volunteer teams to assemble bags and boxes of food for distribution to families each week
- Coordinate home deliveries
- Oversee all areas involved in food distribution on Wednesday afternoons, including volunteers who direct traffic, hand out food to walk-ups, and work at the three distribution stations
- Ensure space is left clean and organized at the end of each day
Position Requirements
- A passion for and interest in assuming a leadership role in combating food insecurity in our community
- Highly organized to allow for proper coordination of approximately 90 volunteers each week
- Experience recruiting, training, managing and motivating volunteers from a wide variety of backgrounds
- Team building skills and the ability to clearly communicate and delegate duties and responsibilities to individuals and teams
- Proficiency in emails, word processing, and spreadsheets
- A valid NC driver’s license
- Ability to lift 25 pounds
Preferred Qualities
- Bilingual in English and Spanish, with native or near native fluency in both languages
- Comfortable working in a multicultural setting
Compensation
- 30 hours a week (Monday - Wednesday, plus additional flexible administration time)
- $39,000 - $47,000 per year, depending on experience
- $400/month healthcare stipend
- 4 Weeks of paid vacation (week of July 4th, the week between Christmas and New Year’s, plus 2 additional weeks that are self-determined)
- Sick time as needed
Application and Selection
Using the link below, please submit a cover letter and resume. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. References will be required of finalists. Credit and background checks will be conducted before a final offer is made.
Apply Here
https://forms.gle/ogAY6GKeESsR5G9o6
The Emanuel Food Pantry is an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate on the
basis of race, religion, color, gender identity, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or
any other basis covered by applicable law.