Fuel NKU Program Coordinator

Northern Kentucky University; United States; On-site; USD 33,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

FUEL NKU Program Coordinator at Northern Kentucky University leads the on-campus food pantry, directing procurement, inventory, distribution, staffing, facilities, programming, and community engagement to ensure sustainable, student-centered service.

You will collaborate with UCAP leadership, supervise staff and volunteers, manage budgets and reporting, and build partnerships with campus and community groups to support NKU students.

Qualifications

• Experience coordinating food pantry operations
• Strong organizational and data-tracking abilities
• Budgeting and reporting experience

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of FUEL NKU ensuring student-centered service
• Oversee procurement, inventory, distribution, staffing, and facilities
• Develop procedures, reporting, and partnerships with campus/community organizations

Job description

Position Title: Fuel NKU Program Coordinator

Position Type: Regular

About the Role:

The FUEL NKU Program Coordinator provides leadership and oversight of the day-to-day operations, programs and initiatives of FUEL NKU, Northern Kentucky University’s on-campus food pantry. This position is responsible for ensuring the effective, sustainable, and student-centered delivery of pantry services, including food procurement, inventory management, distribution, staffing, facilities, programming, and campus and community engagement. FUEL NKU is a vital student resource within University Connect and Persist (UCAP) supporting NKU’s broader commitment to student success through coordinated, holistic, wrap-around support for NKU students. The Program Coordinator reports to UCAP leadership and collaborates with campus and community partners to connect students with essential resources and support.

Program Leadership and Operational Management

Lead the day-to-day operations of FUEL NKU, ensuring effective, consistent, and student-centered delivery of services. Develop, implement, and evaluate operational procedures, service models, and program initiatives to support the ongoing effectiveness and sustainability of FUEL NKU. Establish operational priorities and coordinate staffing, scheduling, inventory, and resources to meet needs and maintain service continuity. Develop and maintain processes for program documentation, data tracking, assessment, and reporting. Communicate operational needs, emerging challenges, accomplishments, and recommendations to UCAP leadership. Manage assigned program resources and expenditures in accordance with university policies, approved budgets, and established procedures. Identify opportunities to strengthen service delivery, accessibility, efficiency, and student experience. Manage all aspects of food inventory procurement, controls, and distribution. Oversee the day-to-day operations of the FUEL NKU food pantry. Maintain adequate pantry operations and food supply to meet student demand and provide the best quality food. Current trends are to support approximately 800 student visits per week, supporting over 2200 unique students per year. Order and receive food and validate invoices from community partners. Receive, pickup, and record food donations. Inventory food and provide required food bank reports. Utilize best practices to ensure food quality and minimize waste. Organize and oversee the food distribution process with help of other staff and volunteers. Implement food pantry safety policies and procedures as enforced by the USDA, Northern Kentucky Health Department and best practices. Stay current on food safety certifications.

Administrative responsibilities

Recruit, onboard, train, supervise, and evaluate professional and student staff and coordinate volunteer recruitment, training scheduling, and recognition as needed. Engage with students, volunteers, university staff, faculty and administration, alumni, and community constituents. Identify and pursue grant funding and community support opportunities in collaboration with UCAP leadership. Cultivate and maintain relationships with active donors and foundational support outlets. Collaborate with partners on approved research, experiential learning, academic initiatives related to FUEL NKU as appropriate. Coordinate hours of operation schedules and provide direction and support to the pantry staff and volunteers. Maintain accurate program records and prepare timely data and documents around utilization, demand, inventory trends, services accessibility, student feedback and operational outcomes for UCAP leadership, administrators, university leadership, and external constituents as appropriate. Attend scheduled meetings with direct supervisor, campus partners, student groups, and community partners. Engage in strategic planning for FUEL NKU initiatives. Serve as the primary contact person for FUEL NKU student programs, university events, food drives, and other special engagement opportunities.

Facilities management

Establish and maintain procedures for food storage, stocking, inventory organization, temperature monitoring, and hygienic food handling. Oversee the cleanliness, organization, safety, and general upkeep of the FUEL NKU pantry and storage areas. Coordinate cleaning, stocking, and facility maintenance responsibilities among staff and volunteers to ensure the pantry remains clean, organized and operational. Monitor facility conditions and equipment to ensure proper functioning and promptly coordinate maintenance, repairs, and service requests with Facilities Management and other appropriate university offices.

Campus & community engagement

Participate in campus activities to promote and spread awareness of FUEL NKU to share this essential resource for students. This includes events such as Produce Pop-Ups, Friendsgiving, tabling engagements, facility tours, Teaching Kitchens, and others. Facilitate programming and partnerships that promote coordinated care and a holistic approach for supporting NKU students. Engage with local food banks and organizations that provide support and resources for individuals in the community. Network with food pantry personnel and programs at local and regional colleges and universities.

Posted Salary: Minimum $37,128

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

Why Work at Northern Kentucky University At NKU, our work revolves around three things: opening doors, helping people finish what they start, and connecting learning to real life. Those pillars—Access, Completion, and Career & Community Engagement—aren’t just strategic-plan wallpaper. They shape how we hire, how we serve students, and how we show up for the region. If you want your work to matter—NKU is a place where you can see your impact every day.

About NKU

Northern Kentucky University is a public, student-centered institution located just minutes from downtown Cincinnati. Our vision is clear: to be nationally recognized as a student-ready, regionally-engaged university that empowers diverse learners for economic and social mobility. We focus on opening doors, supporting students through graduation, and connecting learning to real opportunity in our region. NKU offers the reach of a comprehensive university with the feel of a close, collaborative campus.