Production Associate

Northern Illinois Food Bank; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 26,000 - 27,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Northern Illinois Food Bank is seeking a Production Associate for the Northwest Center in Rockford, IL. This part-time, on-site role supports center operations, including receiving deliveries, processing orders, supervising volunteers, and assisting partner agencies. Core hours typically run 8:00 a.m.

to 4:00 p.m., with some evenings and weekends as needed. You will help ensure safe, efficient operations, keep up with food safety standards, and move product using forklifts or pallet jacks while

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Warehouse experience including forklift and/or electric pallet jack.
• Ability to be certified on forklift and/or electric pallet jack.
• Strong organizational skills with people, products, and projects.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications.
• Self-starter; able to take initiative in providing excellent customer service.
• Ability to frequently communicate with large groups.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare for center processing projects based on volunteer registration.
• Supervise volunteer shifts, including conducting volunteer training. Shifts will include some evenings and weekends.
• Maintain a safe working environment for staff and volunteers, following food safety guidelines.
• Assist food bank agencies that come to the branch with getting and/or loading their orders, shopping for available products, posting their orders, receiving payments for orders, and forwarding paperwork to appropriate departments at main facility.
• Operate a forklift to move product.
• Help maintain the facility’s health and sanitation standards.
• Help support the Center’s and Operation’s Department production schedule by meeting both output quotas and quality standards.
• Load and/or unload NIFB vehicles when needed.
• Adhere to the food safety standards established by Northern Illinois Food Bank as outlined by Feeding America and per AIB accreditation. This includes all applicable training.
• Perform other related duties and/or responsibilities as assigned or required.

Skills

Forklift operation

Microsoft Office

Customer service

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Forklift

Electric pallet jack

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Northwest Center - Rockford, IL 61109, Salary Range: $18.68 - $19.84 Hourly, Who We Are:

Are you ready to join a team where your talent creates lasting change? At Northern Illinois Food Bank, every day is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our Neighbors, so that everyone in Northern Illinois has the food they need to thrive! Together we are a dedicated and innovative team committed to ending hunger in Northern Illinois. We embrace diverse perspectives, collaboration, and continuous learning, we celebrate successes, learn from challenges, and foster a culture of growth, optimism, and teamwork.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

Northern Illinois Food Bank will embrace opportunities to stand in solidarity with our community and center the voices of those most impacted by systematic injustices. We affirm our commitment to anti-racism, to gender equity, to allyship, and to fairness as we work towards a hunger-free future and to create a better and more just world.

The Opportunity:

Northern Illinois Food Bank seeks an extraordinarily motivated candidate to join our team as a Production Associate, supporting the operations of the Northwest Center through collaboration with team members, volunteers, and agency partners. This role performs a variety of duties across the center's operations, including accepting deliveries, processing orders, supporting volunteer projects, and serving agency partners. The Production Associate helps ensure daily operations run safely and efficiently while advancing our mission to provide food access to our neighbors. Core hours for this position are generally between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

This Part-Time position is based out of our Northwest Center (Rockford) location.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan and prepare for center processing projects based on volunteer registration.
• Supervise volunteer shifts, including conducting volunteer training. Shifts will include some evenings and weekends.
• Maintain a safe working environment for staff and volunteers, following food safety guidelines.
• Assist food bank agencies that come to the branch with getting and/or loading their orders, shopping for available products, posting their orders, receiving payments for orders, and forwarding paperwork to appropriate departments at main facility.
• Operate a forklift to move product.
• Help maintain the facility’s health and sanitation standards.
• Help support the Center’s and Operation’s Department production schedule by meeting both output quotas and quality standards.
• Load and/or unload NIFB vehicles when needed.
• Adhere to the food safety standards established by Northern Illinois Food Bank as outlined by Feeding America and per AIB accreditation. This includes all applicable training.
• Perform other related duties and/or responsibilities as assigned or required.

Why Join Us:

• Make a Difference: Every role at Northern Illinois Food Bank directly impacts the lives of those we serve.
• Flexible Work Environment: We value work-life balance and support flexible work models.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Enjoy medical, dental, vision, retirement plans, paid time off, and more. The starting pay range for this position is $18.68/hr - $19.84/hr, based on skills and experience.
• Growth Opportunities: Invest in your career with professional development, career mapping, and leadership training.
• Inclusive Culture: Join a diverse, collaborative team that values equity and belonging.

Qualifications:

Who You Are: You’re driven, compassionate, and excited to bring your unique skills to a purpose-driven organization. You have a strong commitment to our mission and:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Warehouse experience including forklift and/or electric pallet jack
• Ability to be certified on forklift and/or electric pallet jack.
• Strong organizational skills with people, products, and projects.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications.
• Self-starter; able to take initiative in providing excellent customer service.
• Ability to frequently communicate with large groups.
• Ability to consistently lift 50 pounds and occasionally handle boxes up to 75 pounds with assistance.

Northern Illinois Food Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Our goal is to attract, develop, retain, and promote a talented diverse workforce where all employees feel a sense of belonging and contribute to a culture that values differences, ideas, and experiences. We intentionally seek out diverse perspectives and skills on our teams, knowing that it makes us stronger as an organization and better equipped to serve our neighbors in need. We encourage individuals from historically under-represented communities and individuals with lived experience of hunger to apply.