Food Pantry Manager

Maine Tasting Center; Lewiston (ME); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3 weeks PTO

Health, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Job summary

Gather to Grow seeks a compassionate leader to manage the Lewiston-Auburn Food Pantry and related programs. This exempt, full-time role oversees the Pantry Store, delivery coordination, procurement, and safety compliance while supervising volunteers and staff.

We value 5+ years in food pantry or similar roles, a people-centered approach, and a strong commitment to equity and community partnerships. In-person work with some remote flexibility, starting in early November 2026.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of comparable food pantry, food bank, or similar experience with a human-services organization or community-based nonprofit.
• Experience serving individuals and families experiencing food insecurity, housing instability, poverty, and/or other barriers.
• People-centered leadership with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proficient at using computer/web-based software, including Google Apps.
• Commitment to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the Gather to Grow Food Pantry and related delivery program.
• Supervise volunteers, staff, and fellows; ensure respectful interactions with community members.
• Coordinate food procurement, inventory, and partnerships with food banks, grocers, and local farms.
• Ensure food safety, sanitation, storage, and compliance; maintain organized, inspection-ready spaces.
• Develop and manage pantry budgets; track data for reporting, fundraising, and improvement.

Job description

Seeking a compassionate, highly organized, and people-centered leader to manage a large, diverse and fast-paced food pantry who shares a passion for creating a thriving Lewiston Auburn. Minimum 5-years experience with food pantry or similar management position.

Job Classification and schedule:

Exempt, full-time (36 hours per week). Standard schedule is Monday through Friday, with occasional early mornings, evenings, and weekends as required.

Job Location: Primarily in-person in Lewiston, Maine, with some remote flexibility.

Reports to: Director of Operations

Compensation:

Benefit-eligible, salaried position. Starting salary range will be $52,000-$56,500, dependent on qualifications and relevant years of experience.

Start Date:

Early November, 2026

Gather to Grow is committed to creating an organization that reflects our global community. BIPOC, immigrants, other members of historically marginalized groups, and people from the communities in which Gather to Grow works are strongly encouraged to apply.

ABOUT GATHER TO GROW

Gather to Grow brings people together to collectively imagine and build a just food system and healthy community. Located in the heart of downtown Lewiston, Maine, Gather to Grow is a community-driven nonprofit rooted in working at the intersection of food justice, urban gardening, and youth leadership. For over 25 years, we have been working with our community and convening cross-sector collaborations to build vibrant neighborhoods and facilitate local and regional food systems change.

ALIGNMENT WITH MISSION AND VALUES

Gather to Grow’s work is centered around our mission and core beliefs. We are committed to advancing justice and equity in our food system and community and engage in ongoing learning and skill-building to help us better live and practice our values. We are looking for someone who shares this commitment to justice and equity and is excited to join a diverse team with a variety of skills, backgrounds, and lived experiences.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Food Pantry Manager oversees daily operations of the Gather to Grow Food Pantry including management of the “Pantry Store” and food delivery program. Support and supervision for the Food Pantry Manager will be provided by the Director of Operations.

Key responsibilities include:

Food Pantry Store Management

Manage day‑of operations of the “food pantry store” that serves 500+ households; oversee the team of volunteers and staff supporting the pantry store; serve as a role model for respect, tolerance, and compassion, creating a welcoming, dignified guest experience.

Delivery Program and Satellite Pantry Coordination

Help to coordinate a modest, once-a-week food delivery program for housebound community members; coordinate with and support food inventory for partner agencies serving as smaller “satellite pantries.”

Food Procurement and Inventory Management

Manage overall food inventory, with a focus on fresh produce, whole foods, and culturally important foods; coordinate weekly food orders from the food bank, grocery retailers, and local farm partners; coordinate the intake, storage, monitoring, and tracking of all food.

Food Safety and Compliance Oversight

Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, storage, cold chain, and handling regulations; help keep pantry space, equipment, and food-storage areas clean, safe, organized, and inspection-ready.

Program Administration & Improvement

Develop and manage the food pantry budget; track and share data and stories to support program improvement, year-end reporting, and fundraising, and program improvement efforts; participate in knowledge and skills building workshops and training relevant to the role.

Volunteer, Fellow, and Staff Supervision

Supervise and support volunteers, student fellows, and staff; ensure support personnel adhere to food pantry guidelines and maintain a respectful environment and interactions with all community members.

Partnership and Community Outreach Coordination

Support program and other community outreach efforts; serve on relevant committees as time permits; maintain positive relationships with relevant partners.

Organizational Professionalism, Growth, and Wellbeing

Lead collaboratively, and work as part of a team upholding staff community agreements and organizational core beliefs; practice values of justice and equity; participate in regular staff and team meetings.

DESIRED QUALITIES, EXPERIENCE, and ATTRIBUTES:

We value lived experience and non-traditional education and accomplishments. If you come from a background less typical to our field or aren’t sure if you meet the job requirements, please tell us why you would be a good fit anyway.

• Passion for the mission and work of Gather to Grow.
• 5+ years of comparable food pantry, food bank, or similar experience with a human-services organization or community-based nonprofit.
• Experience serving individuals and families experiencing food insecurity, housing instability, poverty, and/or other barriers.
• Brings a people-centered and growth approach. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with all personnel, volunteers, partners, and the public.
• Practiced at addressing people with dignity and care during challenging circumstances.
• Proficient computer/web-based software skills, including Google Apps.
• Knowledge of and commitment to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Awareness of and aptitude to effectively understand, respect, adapt to and support cultural and identity-based differences within group environments.
• Able to foster a supportive and inclusive work environment.
• Valid driver’s license.

Physical Requirements

This position requires regular daily physical activity. The employee must be able to:

• Stand and walk for extended period
• Bend, reach, push, pull, and perform repetitive tasks.
• Regularly lift and carry up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Safely use utility carts and ladders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excitement to work and invest in Lewiston Auburn.
• Experience in cross-cultural and multilingual organizations and environments.
• Experience working with a range of communities, including recent immigrants/refugees.
• Skills and experience in de-escalation and conflict mitigation.
• Proficiency in Somali, French, Portuguese, Arabic, Dari, Pashto or other languages.

Benefits Summary

The Food Pantry Manager is a 36 hour/week, exempt (salaried) position offering a competitive salary range of $52,000-$56,500 depending on experience.

Paid time off, insurance, and retirement plan benefits include:

• 3 weeks Paid Time Off (PTO) per calendar year (increases to over 4 weeks after 1 year of employment) and 13 paid Holidays that can be used on a flexible basis.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance with a significant portion of premiums paid by employer and partial employer coverage for dependents’ health insurance; Employer-paid Life, STD, and LTD insurance.
• 408 retirement plan with employer match

Previously the St. Mary’s Nutrition Center, Gather to Grow transitioned to become a nonprofit organization in May 2025. We have established a unique fiscal sponsorship relationship with the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce to provide financial and administrative services, including the employment function for Gather to Grow employees.

The LA Metro Chamber is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and celebrates diversity across multiple dimensions, including race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, partnered status, national origin, age, socio-economic status, ability, veteran status, culture, and experience.

The Chamber makes employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, and organizational needs. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of their position.

The LA Metro Chamber does not require applicants to submit a background check as a prerequisite for employment and encourages all qualified candidates to apply.