Center Manager

Northern Illinois Food Bank; Lake Forest (IL); On-site; USD 56,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Illinois Food Bank seeks a Center Manager to lead daily warehouse, production, and distribution operations at the North Suburban Center in Lake Forest, IL. You will cultivate partnerships with agencies and donors, engage volunteers, and drive outreach to strengthen the center’s community presence.

The role focuses on facility operations, safety compliance, and program coordination across the center’s service area, with ownership of budgeting and community relations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in related area.
• 3–5 years of management experience.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Walk most of the day and lift up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Oversee center warehouse, production, and transportation operations.
• Develop and maintain volunteer program aligned with production needs.
• Build and maintain relationships with agencies in service area.
• Ensure safety, compliance, and inventory controls.

Skills

Management experience

Customer focus

Communication skills

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Outlook

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: North Suburban Center - Lake Forest, IL 60045. Salary Range: $55,644.00 - $59,122.00 Salary/year.

Who We Are:

Are you ready to join a team where your talent creates lasting change? At Northern Illinois Food Bank, every day is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our Neighbors, so that everyone in Northern Illinois has the food they need to thrive! Together we are a dedicated and innovative team committed to ending hunger in Northern Illinois. We embrace diverse perspectives, collaboration, and continuous learning, we celebrate successes, learn from challenges, and foster a culture of growth, optimism, and teamwork.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

Northern Illinois Food Bank will embrace opportunities to stand in solidarity with our community and center the voices of those most impacted by systematic injustices. We affirm our commitment to anti-racism, to gender equity, to allyship, and to fairness as we work towards a hunger-free future and to create a better and more just world.

The Opportunity:

Northern Illinois Food Bank seeks a motivated candidate to join our team as a Center Manager, supporting the organization's mission to build community awareness and strengthen a network that provides nutritious food and essential resources to neighbors with dignity and convenience through the North Suburban Center in Lake Forest, IL. This role focuses on overseeing daily warehouse, production, and distribution operations; fostering strong relationships with agency and donor partners; engaging and cultivating volunteers; and expanding the Food Bank's presence through community outreach and partnership development. The position provides hands‑on oversight of facility operations, volunteer engagement, safety and compliance, and community partnerships while ensuring exceptional service and support across the center's service area.

This Full-Time position is based out of our North Suburban Center (Lake Forest) location.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee operations of center warehouse, production, and transportation operations, including:
• Physical preparation of facility for local events or meetings to be held at center.
• Operation of industrial lift equipment - both manual and powered to assist in the movement of product.
• General and regular facility cleaning/maintenance.
• Provide guidance and directions to center assigned drivers, while working in partnership with Transportation Team Leadership
• Work closely with the volunteer team leadership to ensure adequate support of the volunteer experience. Develop, maintain, and utilize a volunteer base in line with the production needs of the Food Bank.
• Work closely with center Agency Area Representative to maintain positive relationships with agencies in surrounding service area.
• Understand, build and maintain appropriate inventory for local agencies.
• Maintain a general understanding of all food bank programs and assist in the coordination of programs across the center’s service area (e.g child nutrition program etc.)
• Manage logistics of all inbound shipments, including programs, agency orders, material for production, warehouse inventory. Segregate and deliver product to appropriate location.
• Be alert and engage senior leadership to public relations/promotional activities related to raising general community awareness of hunger issues in assigned counties.
• Represent Northern Illinois Food Bank in community organizations and at appropriate local events.
• Maintain and adhere to all standard operating procedures, from organization to inventory controls.
• Full ownership of location budgeting process and control.
• Full ownership of the physical safety of team members and food safety and defense. This includes but is not limited to, health department visits and full AIB execution.
• Perform other related duties and/or responsibilities as assigned or required.

Why Join Us:

• Make a Difference: Every Role at Northern Illinois Food Bank directly impacts the lives of those we serve.
• Flexible Work Environment: We Value work-life balance and support flexible work models.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Enjoy medical, dental, vision, retirement plans, paid time off, travel reimbursement and more. This starting range for this position is $55,644 - $59,122/annually, based on skills and experience.
• Growth Opportunities: Invest in your career with professional development, career mapping, and leadership training.
• Inclusive Culture: Join a diverse, collaborative team that values equity and belonging.

Northern Illinois Food Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Our goal is to attract, develop, retain, and promote a talented diverse workforce where all employees feel a sense of belonging and contribute to a culture that values differences, ideas, and experiences. We intentionally seek out diverse perspectives and skills on our teams, knowing that it makes us stronger as an organization and better equipped to serve our neighbors in need. We encourage individuals from historically under-represented communities and individuals with lived experience of hunger to apply.

Qualifications

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in social services, business or related area or equivalent experience.
• Capable of being on feet including walking 70% of the day and up to three hours at a time (as per the standard volunteer shift).
• Proven success in managing performance and positive employee relations.
• Three to five years of management experience.
• Ability to assess and determine low-cost opportunities
• Certified (or certifiable) to operate powered industrial lift trucks.
• Able to lift up to 50 pounds regularly and up to 75 pounds (with assistance) occasionally.
• Strong customer focus.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Self-starter who can work independently.
• Must have valid Driver’s License.
• Proficient with various computer programs including – Word, Excel and Outlook.