Mino'Weesini Grocery Program Coordinator

Parkdale Food Centre; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extended health

Dental

Life insurance

Long‑term disability

Vacation days

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Parkdale Food Centre in Ottawa is seeking a Coordinator to support daily operations of the Mino’Weesini Grocery Program. The role blends frontline service with behind‑the‑scenes coordination in a fast‑paced environment, and requires someone who creates organized systems and can balance multiple priorities with care and compassion.

We value lived experience and inclusivity, encouraging applicants from diverse backgrounds.

Qualifications

• Experience working with people facing poverty or food insecurity.
• Minimum 2 years in nonprofit, community-based, or program coordination roles.
• Strong organizational and time management skills for fast-paced environments.
• Experience leading volunteers or placement students.

Responsibilities

• Engage with neighbours to provide welcoming, dignified services.
• Register new neighbours respectfully and protect confidentiality.
• Gather feedback and work with Grocery Program team to improve services.
• Lead volunteers and supervise placement students; manage volunteer shifts.
• Oversee grocery setup/closing, inventory, orders, and storage.
• Maintain health and safety practices and high quality food handling.

Skills

Community engagement

Volunteer management

Organisational skills

Customer service

Equity & inclusion

Multi-tasking

Tools

Point-of-Sale systems

Spreadsheets

Digital communications tools

Job description

Hours: 35 hours per week; occasional evenings required

Start date: September 28 2026

Parkdale Food Centre is a vibrant community hub located in Ottawa’s Hintonburg neighbourhood. All the programming we do is guided by our strong belief that good food is a human right. Good food, good mood! We use food as a tool to connect with others, and believe these connections strengthen the wellbeing and resilience of our community.

We believe our team is strongest when it reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone is treated with dignity, respect, and belonging.

Parkdale Food Centre is seeking an organized, compassionate Coordinator to support daily operations of our Mino’Weesini Grocery Program, an innovative food bank model grounded in values of agency, dignity and choice. The Coordinator plays a key role in ensuring that this program runs smoothly and effectively, while fostering a warm, welcoming and positive environment. This hands‑on role combines frontline service delivery with behind‑the‑scenes coordination and requires someone who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, enjoys creating organized systems, and can balance multiple priorities with care and attention to detail.

We know that great candidates don’t all follow the same path. If you’re excited about this role but don’t meet every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. We value lived experience, curiosity, and a commitment to working alongside diverse communities.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Community Engagement
• Ensure welcoming, safe and dignified services are offered to Neighbours accessing the program
• Ensure registration of new Neighbours is done respectfully and information is treated confidentially
• Listen to and record feedback from community members and work with Grocery Program team to improve the services provided by the program
• Manage conflict when it arises alongside other staff
• Role model professional behaviour and positive communication through an anti‑racist/anti‑oppressive approach
• Volunteer Relations
• Train, lead and work alongside volunteers
• Working with our Volunteer Coordinator to manage and monitor volunteer shifts
• Support, supervise and mentor placement students to learn and develop skills while contributing meaningfully to the organization
• Promote a culture of health and safety within our space
• Program coordination and operational logistics
• Oversee the setting up and closing up the grocery, including unloading deliveries of food and stocking fridges, shelves and storage areas
• Manage inventory of operational supplies, including food; coordinating deliveries and purchases to ensure equitable distribution
• Placing weekly food orders with Ottawa Food Bank, local businesses and other suppliers.
• Monitor quality control, food handling, and storage practices
• Respond to emails/phone calls about our services
• Assist with updating procedure documents and handbooks
• Oversee and manage the use of Point-of-Sale technology for grocery program operations

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience working directly with people experiencing poverty, food insecurity, or other systemic barriers.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in community-based, nonprofit, customer service, food service, or program coordination roles.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills, with the ability to coordinate day-to-day operations, maintaining attention to detail, and prioritize competing tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working with volunteers and/or placement students, in a leadership capacity
• Strong ability to create a welcoming, non‑judgemental environment for individuals from all walks of life, ensuring that everyone feels seen and respected.
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with discretion and professionalism.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, anti-racism, anti-oppression, and client‑centred service.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trusting relationships with people from diverse backgrounds
• Strong conflict resolution and de‑escalation skills, with the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to take initiative, make sound decisions, and exercise good judgment with minimal supervision.
• Ability to train, mentor, motivate, and support volunteers and placement students.
• Knowledge of safe food handling, inventory management, and quality control practices.
• Proficiency learning and using technology, including point-of-sale systems, spreadsheets, and digital communication tools.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling sensitive information.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities, fluctuating service volumes, and unexpected situations.
• A positive, welcoming, and compassionate approach that contributes to an inclusive environment for neighbours, volunteers, and staff.

Assets

• Experience working in a food bank, community food centre, grocery, warehouse, or food service environment.
• Knowledge of Ottawa's community resources and social service systems.
• Experience with inventory management or procurement.
• Safe Food Handling certification.
• First Aid/CPR certification.
• Ability to communicate in languages other than English, particularly languages commonly spoken within Ottawa's diverse communities.
• Lived experience is valued and strengthens our ability to serve diverse communities.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

This role involves regular physical activity in a dynamic community environment. The successful candidate must be able to:

• Stand and walk for extended periods throughout shifts.
• Lift, carry, move, and organise food items and equipment up to approximately 50 lbs.
• Work in a fast‑paced, high‑traffic community environment that may involve noise and interruptions.

Why work for us?

• An opportunity to work alongside passionate folks who embody the belief that Good Food is a fundamental human right.
• Comprehensive benefits package including extended health, dental, life insurance, and long‑term disability insurance, 15 paid vacation days in your first year, increasing to 20 paid vacation days in your third year of employment, access to an Employee Assistance Program and professional development opportunities.
• A team culture that values mutual support, inclusion, growth, and good food (yeah, we feed you!).
• Meaningful work where you’ll build relationships, support neighbours, and contribute to a more dignified food system in Ottawa.

Deadline: 4pm August 24, 2026

If you require any accommodations or technical support, please email [e-mail]

Parkdale Food Centre does not use artificial intelligence tools to screen, assess, rank, or select candidates. All applications are reviewed by members of our hiring team.