Food Pantry Coordinator

HEALTHY WALTHAM; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Healthy Waltham, Inc. seeks a Food Pantry Coordinator to support daily operations of the Community Market, manage inventory, coordinate volunteers, and assist with food donations, pickups, and deliveries in our Waltham location.

The role involves maintaining a welcoming shopping environment, ensuring safety and compliance, and helping transition from the traditional pantry to the new market model. This is a full-time on-site position with opportunities to impact local food access.

Qualifications

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Dependability and ability to manage multiple tasks in a busy environment.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to operate the delivery van.
• Willingness to work a schedule that accommodates Community Market operations.
• Experience with inventory management and coordinating deliveries.

Responsibilities

• Support daily Community Market operations, ensuring shelves and storage are stocked and organized.
• Monitor inventory, restock, and rotate items; manage display quality and freshness.
• Assist with transition from traditional pantry to Community Market workflow.
• Coordinate food donations pickups, deliveries, and record keeping.
• Supervise and train volunteers; foster a welcoming environment.
• Maintain records of inventory, donations, and deliveries; ensure safety and compliance.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Multitasking

Collaboration

Physical stamina

Schedule management

Tools

Delivery van operation

Basic computer use

Job description

Compensation: $50,000–60,000 annually, based on experience

Location: Waltham, Massachusetts

About Healthy Waltham

Healthy Waltham is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Waltham residents. Through our food access initiatives, community programming and partnerships, we work to reduce food insecurity and increase access to resources that support healthy, thriving communities.

This winter, Healthy Waltham will open its new, permanent Community Market, replacing our current, traditional outdoor pantry model. The Community Market will provide community members with access to groceries in a welcoming, accessible, and dignified environment. By creating a market-style experience, we aim to reduce barriers to food access while allowing individuals and families to select the food that best meets their needs.

Position Overview

The Food Pantry Coordinator supports the daily operations of Healthy Waltham's food access programs, with a primary focus on the operation, stocking, organization, and maintenance of the Community Market. Reporting to the Pantry Director, the Food Pantry Coordinator will play an important role in the organization's transition from our current food distribution model to the Community Market model. Responsibilities include managing food inventory, coordinating and supporting volunteers, picking up food donations, assisting with deliveries, operating the organization's delivery van, and maintaining pantry equipment and facilities.

The ideal candidate is dependable, organized, comfortable with hands-on physical work, and committed to providing community members with a welcoming and dignified food access experience.

Key Responsibilities

1. Community Market Operations

• Support the daily operation and maintenance of the Community Market, ensuring that shelves, refrigerators, freezers, and storage areas are organized, clean, and adequately stocked.
• Monitor market inventory and routinely restock shelves and displays to ensure a consistent selection of available food and essential items.
• Rotate inventory using appropriate stock rotation practices and monitor expiration dates, product quality, and freshness.
• Prepare the Community Market for operating hours and assist with closing procedures as needed.
• Monitor inventory levels and communicate shortages, high-demand items, and restocking needs to the Pantry Director.
• Help maintain a clean, welcoming, accessible, and well-organized shopping environment for community members.
• Identify opportunities to improve market organization, product presentation, inventory flow, and operational efficiency.
• Represent Healthy Waltham professionally when interacting with clients, donors, vendors, and community partners.

2. Transition to the Community Market Model

• Assist the Pantry Director and other staff with the transition from the traditional food distribution model to the Community Market model.
• Help organize food, equipment, supplies, and storage areas to support the new market layout and operating procedures.
• Assist with implementing updated workflows for receiving, storing, restocking, and distributing food.
• Support staff, volunteers, and community members as they become familiar with the Community Market model.
• Provide feedback to the Pantry Director regarding operational challenges and opportunities to improve the new model.
• Adapt to changing operational needs as the organization continues to develop and refine its food access programs.

3. Food Donations, Pickups, and Deliveries

• Coordinate and assist with food donation pickups from food banks, grocery stores, farms, businesses, and other community partners.
• Operate the organization's delivery van safely and responsibly to transport food, supplies, and equipment.
• Assist with receiving, unloading, sorting, inspecting, and organizing food deliveries.
• Maintain accurate records of food pickups, donations, and deliveries as required.

4. Volunteer Coordination and Supervision

• Help coordinate and supervise volunteers assisting with stocking, food sorting, donation pickups, deliveries, cleaning, and other pantry activities.
• Assist with training volunteers on Community Market procedures, food handling, inventory organization, and restocking practices.
• Foster a welcoming, respectful, and collaborative environment for volunteers.
• Communicate volunteer needs, performance concerns, and operational challenges to the Pantry Director.

5. Inventory Management and Food Safety

• Assist with tracking incoming food, outgoing food, donations, and inventory levels.
• Monitor the condition and storage of food products to maintain quality and minimize waste.
• Follow appropriate food safety practices for food handling, refrigeration, freezing, storage, and distribution.
• Maintain organized inventory and storage areas, ensuring food is stored safely and efficiently.
• Follow food bank requirements, organizational policies, and applicable food safety standards.

6. Equipment and Facilities Management

• Assist with the setup, operation, cleaning, and routine maintenance of Community Market equipment and pantry supplies.

7. Communication and Administrative Support

• Maintain clear communication with the Pantry Director regarding daily operations, inventory needs, volunteer activities, deliveries, and emerging concerns.
• Maintain accurate records related to food pickups, donations, deliveries, inventory, and other operational activities.
• Collaborate with Healthy Waltham staff to support food access programs and other organizational activities.
• Perform other duties consistent with the position's responsibilities as assigned by the Pantry Director.

Required Qualifications

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Dependability, initiative, and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a busy environment.
• Ability to work independently while following direction and collaborating with staff and volunteers.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to serving individuals and families experiencing food insecurity with dignity, respect, and compassion.
• Ability to safely lift and carry up to 40 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to perform physical tasks associated with food pantry operations, including stocking shelves, unloading deliveries, and standing or moving for extended periods, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Valid driver's license and ability to safely operate the organization's delivery van.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and use basic computer systems.
• Willingness to work a schedule that accommodates Community Market operations, food deliveries, and volunteer availability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in a food pantry, food bank, grocery store, warehouse, food service, logistics, or similar operational environment.
• Experience with inventory management, stocking, receiving deliveries, or organizing supplies.
• Familiarity with food safety practices and food storage requirements.
• Experience working with diverse communities and individuals experiencing economic hardship.
• Food safety certification, such as ServSafe, or willingness to obtain certification.

Compensation and Benefits

The annual salary range for this full-time position is $50,000–60,000, depending on experience and qualifications. Additional benefits, including health insurance, paid time off, and retirement benefits, will be provided in accordance with Healthy Waltham's applicable policies.

Healthy Waltham is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace. Employment decisions are made in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity laws.