Warehouse Operations Coordinator

nourishinghopechi; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Birthday holiday

Employee Assistance Program

Parental leave

Language pay

Referral bonus

Mental wellness app

Job summary

Nourishing Hope is seeking a Warehouse Operations Specialist in Chicago to manage pallet logistics, prep food for transport, and supervise on-site volunteers at West Town and Ravenswood.

You will ensure strict adherence to food safety protocols, maintain accurate inventory records, and keep the facility organized for efficient food distribution across all Nourishing Hope locations.

Qualifications

• Experience training or supervising volunteers in a fast-paced setting.
• Strong logistics, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds regularly and 100 pounds occasionally.
• Proficient in Google Sheets for inventory records.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise volunteer shifts and provide on-site training.
• Coordinate outgoing deliveries and maintain inventory records.
• Safely operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and cargo vans.
• Enforce food safety and quality standards across donations.
• Coordinate facility upkeep and daily maintenance with the operations team.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Logistics

Time management

Problem solving

Team supervision

Google Sheets

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Google Sheets

Forklift operation

Job description

Organization Overview

Nourishing Hope, formerly known as Lakeview Pantry, is a dynamic Chicago nonprofit agency. Nourishing Hope has evolved to become more than solely a hunger relief organization. We provide food, social services such as job and housing assistance, and free mental wellness counseling with a growing team of licensed therapists. Founded in 1970, we strive to serve the needs of the whole person — with respect and dignity, always.

Nourishing Hope offers our neighbors nutritious food using a choice-based distribution model and access to life-changing social services including:

• Monthly food distribution and additional produce pickup through five different food access programs.
• Home delivery services for older adults, homebound neighbors and neighbors living with disabilities.
• Social services including case management, mental health counseling, job search support, domestic violence intervention, referrals and public benefits assistance (SNAP, healthcare, government forms) for anyone in need.

Nourishing Hope serves tens of thousands of people each year, providing more than 4 million meals through our programs, in addition to partnerships with other community organizations. This year, more than 7,000 low-income neighbors will also receive case management and social services.

Position Summary

You will support daily warehouse operations at West Town and Ravenswood by managing pallet logistics, preparing food for transport, and occasionally operating warehouse equipment. Your leadership role involves supervising and supporting on-site volunteers in a high-activity environment while ensuring all incoming donations strictly adhere to food safety and quality protocols. Additionally, you are responsible for maintaining accurate inventory records and keeping the facility organized to ensure efficient and overall safe food distribution, across all Nourishing Hope locations.

Schedule and Locations

This is a full-time position reporting out of Nourishing Hope Headquarters (1716 W. Hubbard), with a Tuesday-Saturday work week. Hours vary slightly on different days but all take place between 7am and 5pm.

Essential Job Functions

• Volunteer Leadership & Education: Lead and supervise volunteer shifts by teaching warehouse tasks—such as packing, sorting, and pallet building—while acting as a mission ambassador through organizational education and site tours.
• Logistics & Inventory Management: Coordinate outgoing deliveries according to truck schedules and assist leadership in maintaining accurate inventory records using Google Sheets to ensure seamless food flow.
• Warehouse Operations & Equipment: Safely operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and cargo vans to move inventory, manage incoming donations, and maintain an organized, efficient facility.
• Safety & Quality Compliance: Uphold and instruct others on strict food safety and quality standards, ensuring all donations meet protocols and the physical workspace remains free of hazards.
• Collaborative Facility Maintenance: Work closely with the operations team to communicate needs and handle daily facility upkeep, including cleaning, trash removal, and basic site maintenance.

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or GED required; higher education is a plus.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently, and up to 100 pounds occasionally.
• Experience training or supervising other people and the ability to lead groups of people working on multiple tasks.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Logistical, organizational, time-management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to efficiently and effectively handle shifting and multiple priorities.
• Solid computer skills including a working knowledge of Google Sheets.
• An understanding of, and belief in, the importance of food security for everyone.

Highly Preferred

• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record and the ability to operate a motor vehicle (cargo van or passenger van).
• Experience operating a forklift, pallet stackers and pallet jacks or willingness to learn.
• Previous experience managing logistics or working with food

Physical Requirements

• Manual dexterity to use computer, mouse, telephone, and other standard office equipment.
• Ability to lift, bend, crouch, reach.
• Ability to work on one’s feet for most of the day.
• Ability to operate a forklift safely (training required; can be obtained after hire).
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle (van).
• Heavy work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and up to 50 pounds of force frequently using carts and other equipment.
• Close visual acuity (with correction) to read needed work documents, papers and computer terminal.
• Visual acuity (with correction) to operate a motor vehicle (van).

Salary and Benefits

Hourly rate: $21.75

Full-time benefits include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution
• Generous paid time off
• Paid birthday holiday
• Employee Assistance Program
• Parental leave
• Language pay
• $250 employee referral bonus
• Free subscription to mental wellness app

Background Check

Because we are a Medicaid provider all applicants who are offered employment with Nourishing Hope will be subject to a background screening. Offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a background screening conducted in accordance with Nourishing Hope policy and federal, state and local laws.

We kindly ask that agencies and recruiters refrain from reaching out. Unsolicited sales messages will be blocked and reported as spam.