Market Associate

The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 22,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri is seeking a Market Associate to support daily operations in The Market. You will lead volunteers, assist neighbors, and maintain a welcoming, efficient environment for food distribution.

Responsibilities include organizing donations, supervising stocking and checkout, and coordinating with the Market Manager to ensure safety and quality. This role requires strong teamwork and reliable communication.

Qualifications

• Comfortable leading, coaching, and instructing individuals and groups.
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Sensitive to the needs of neighbors experiencing food insecurity, with dignity and respect.
• Committed to safety practices in a warehouse environment.
• Able to lift 50 pounds and handle loads with lifts and equipment.
• Basic computer skills and adaptability to changing duties.
• Strong oral and written communication; capable of prioritizing multiple tasks.
• Collaborative team player and Food Handler’s permit eligible within 30 days.

Responsibilities

• Assign, organize, and monitor volunteer activities such as stocking Market shelves and sorting donations.
• Receive, inspect, sort, and organize incoming donations for safe storage and distribution.
• Maintain cleanliness, organization, and safety across Market, warehouse, cooler, and volunteer areas.
• Monitor product quality and FIFO distribution of perishable foods.
• Assist neighbors, volunteers, and guests with checkout and shopping needs.
• Promote a welcoming, respectful shopping experience with neighbors and partners.
• Communicate operational needs and inventory issues to Market Manager and Director.
• Support special events, trainings, and other Market initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and neighbor experience.

Skills

Leadership

Customer service

Food safety

Basic computer skills

Communication

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

TITLE: Market Associate

OUR PURPOSE

The Food Bank Market works alongside our community to meet the nutritional needs of neighbors with dignity and collaborates to empower long-term food security.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• be comfortable leading, coaching, and instructing individuals and groups
• demonstrate excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
• be highly sensitive to the needs of individuals experiencing food insecurity and committed to treating every neighbor with dignity and respect.
• be committed to safety practices in a warehouse environment
• be able to lift 50 pounds; load and unload deliveries with lifts and equipment
• possess basic computer skills
• be adaptable to changing job duties
• have strong oral and written communication skills
• be able to perform and calculate basic arithmetic problems
• can manage, organize and prioritize multiple tasks at once
• welcoming of collaboration and working as a team
• obtain a Food Handler’s permit or willing to obtain within 30 days of employment
• possess a High School Diploma or equivalent

DUTIES

• Assign, organize, and monitor volunteer activities including stocking Market shelves, sorting donations, preparing food for distribution, assembling specialty food packages, and maintaining organized work areas.
• Receive, inspect, sort, and organize incoming food donations to ensure products are safely stored and prepared for distribution.
• Maintain the cleanliness, organization, and food safety standards of The Market, warehouse, cooler, freezer, and volunteer work areas.
• Monitor product quality and ensure FIFO (first-in-first-out) timely distribution of perishable foods to minimize waste.
• Serve as a flexible member of The Market team by assisting with neighbor check-in, greeting guests, bagging groceries, shopping assistance, and stocking shelves.
• Build welcoming relationships with neighbors, volunteers, and community partners while promoting a respectful, dignified shopping experience.
• Communicate operational needs, volunteer concerns, inventory issues, and opportunities for improvement with The Market Manager and Director.
• Assist with special events, volunteer projects, food distributions, trainings, and other Market initiatives.
• Support continuous improvement efforts by identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, volunteer engagement, and neighbor experience.

Pay Range: $16.56 - $17.50 per hour