FOOD PANTRY ASSISTANT

Tempe Community Action Agency; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 23,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

14 paid holidays annually

Vacation and sick time accrual

Simple IRA with company match 3%

Annual merit-based increases

Mileage reimbursement

Volunteer time off

Background clearance costs reimbursed

Job summary

Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA) seeks team members for full-time roles in its food pantry and grocery rescue programs in Tempe, AZ. You will help receive and store donated goods, prepare items for distribution, and support customers and partners with care.

The role includes driving responsibilities, up to 50% travel, and operating refrigerated vehicles. High school diploma required; ServSafe/First Aid and a clean driving record are preferred.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED or equivalent.
• Experience in delivery, pantry, warehouse, logistics, or related field preferred.
• Strong customer service, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Bilingual English/Spanish desirable.

Responsibilities

• Receive, inspect, stock, and rotate donated food and supplies.
• Maintain records of food received, distributed, and stored.
• Package and prepare food for distribution to customers.
• Assist with food distribution and emergency services.
• Follow food safety, sanitation and storage standards.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Bilingual English/Spanish (desirable)

Education

High School Diploma/GED

ServSafe certification (or ability to obtain)

CPR/Basic First Aid (or ability to obtain)

Arizona Driver's License (clean record)

Tools

Pallet jack

Trailer hitch operation

Vehicle operation (refrigerated/large vehicles)

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: 2146 E Apache - Tempe, AZ, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: None, Salary Range: $17.50 - $19.00Hourly, Travel Percentage: Up to 50% , Job Shift: Day, Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services, Purpose:

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives supervision from the Food Systems Program Manager

Essential Functions

Food Pantry Operations 50%

• Receive, inspect, organize, stock, and rotate donated food and supplies.
• Maintain accurate records of food received, distributed, and stored.
• Package and prepare food for distribution to customers.
• Assist with food distribution and emergency food services.
• Follow applicable food safety, sanitation, storage, and handling standards.
• Maintain Pantry, warehouse, storage, loading, and distribution areas in a clean and safe condition.
• Track receipt of supplies and perform routine data entry.
• Assist with inventory organization and monitoring.
• Deliver food to customers or program participants when required.

Grocery Rescue 50%

• Safely operate agency vehicles, including refrigerated vehicles, vans, trucks, and box trucks, as assigned.
• Pick up donated food and supplies from grocery stores, community partners, donors, and other locations and transport items to TCAA facilities.
• Transport food, materials, equipment, and supplies between agency and program locations.
• Load and unload food, materials, supplies, and equipment using appropriate safety procedures.
• Operate pallet jacks and other material‑handling equipment as needed.
• When assigned and properly trained, haul and secure agency trailers and transport them between program locations.
• Complete scheduled routes and pickups in a safe, timely, and professional manner.
• Track mileage, routes, pickups, deliveries, and other required transportation information.
• Conduct routine vehicle inspections and end‑of‑day vehicle checks.
• Maintain the cleanliness of agency vehicles and promptly report maintenance needs, damage, traffic violations, or safety concerns.
• Transport agency vehicles or equipment for scheduled maintenance and repairs when necessary.

Client, Donor & Volunteer Support

• Provide welcoming, respectful, and responsive customer service to clients, donors, community partners, and program participants.
• Demonstrate compassion and respect when working with individuals experiencing economic hardship.
• Assist with front desk or client service functions when operationally necessary.
• Work alongside volunteers and volunteer groups and provide direction related to Pantry and food‑handling activities as appropriate.
• Represent TCAA professionally while conducting pickups and interacting with external partners.

Status/Hours

Full time – 35 hours (mornings and/or late afternoon shifts) subject to change based on operational needs.

Compensation

$17.50 - $19.00 per hour based on experience

Benefits

• 14 paid holidays annually
• Accrued vacation and sick time that increases with tenure
• Employee Assistance Program
• Simple IRA with company match up to 3%
• Annual merit‑based Increases after 9 months of employment
• Flexible work schedules
• Paid time off to volunteer
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Reimbursement of background clearance costs for entry‑level positions

Company Culture

TCAA is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equityand inclusion and an environment where every employee feels valued and empowered to bring their whole selves to work.The collective sum of the individual differences represents a significant part of our culture, reputation, and achievements.We believe that together, we can achieve greatness by embracing our differences and working collaboratively towards a common purpose.

We're eager to meet people that believe in our mission and can contribute to our team in a variety of ways - not just candidates who check all the boxes. We consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role. We want people to feel comfortable expressing their true selves and to come, stay, and do their best work here.

TCAA is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Physical Requirements

• Ability to frequently stand, walk, bend, twist, reach, push, pull, and climb into and out of vehicles.
• Ability to routinely lift and transfer at least 50 pounds.
• Ability to safely secure transported materials and equipment.
• Ability to work for extended periods in pantry, warehouse, loading, and outdoor environments.

Qualifications/Experience

• One or more years of related experience in delivery, food pantry, warehouse, logistics, food service, or a similar environment preferred.
• Experience safely operating commercial or larger vehicles preferred.
• Demonstrated safe driving history.
• Ability to load, unload, organize, and transport food and supplies.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple tasks and interruptions.
• Strong organizational and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent customer service, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds and circumstances.
• Ability to maintain confidential and sensitive information.
• Pallet jack experience preferred.
• Trailer and trailer‑hitch experience preferred if trailer transportation will remain part of the position.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills desirable.

Education

High School Diploma/GED or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses/Certifications

• Current Arizona Driver's License and clean driving record.
• Food Handler Card or ability to obtain after hire.
• ServSafe certification or ability to obtain if required by TCAA.
• CPR/Basic First Aid or ability to obtain after hire.
• Ability to obtain required agency background and clearance requirements.

Education

High School Diploma/GED or equivalent combination of education and experience.