Food Pantry Program Manager

Job Description

Job Description

The Catholic Charities Food Pantry Network serves the food insecure at four locations throughout Greater Boston and provides additional services to external partner organizations. The Food Pantry Program Manager is an operations focused leader responsible for managing the operational, logistical, and administrative functions that support Catholic Charities food security programs and management of the Yawkey Food Pantry. This role ensures that food sourcing, storage, distribution, partnerships, compliance, and reporting processes all run efficiently and at-scale. The Program Manager works closely with the Director of Food Security to move strategy into action, drive continuous improvement, guarantee high‑quality service delivery across programs, translating to compassionate food security resources to the clients.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Oversee day‑to‑day operations of food security programs, including procurement, inventory, transportation, distribution, and partner coordination.
• Lead development and enforcement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for food handling,transportation and storage operations, volunteer management, and community distribution sites.
• Ensure all activities meet food safety standards, quality guidelines, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Manage end‑to‑end food supply chain workflows: sourcing, vendor relations, deliveries, storage, routing, and last‑mile distribution.
• Optimize logistics to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and ensure reliable access to nutritious food for clients.
• Oversee transportation planning, including driver,scheduling,and maintenance.
• Displays sensitivity to the needs of individuals and families experiencing financial hardships, mental illness, trauma, and those from varied cultural backgrounds.
• Support program coordinators in the implementation of food distribution programs, nutrition initiatives,education,and community partnerships.
• Monitor operational data (volumes, turnaround time, inventory levels, service utilization) and make actionable adjustments.
• Lead audits and continuous improvement projects to strengthen operational excellence.
• Supervise Driver and Food Pantry Assistant, oversee logistics,storage and transport operations, program delivery, and community engagement functions.
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and performance management to ensure high‑functioning operational teams.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and training of staff and volunteers.
• Manage operational budgets, including staffing, transportation, storage, and procurement.
• Maintain compliance with federal/state/local/partner food program requirements (e.g., food safety regulations, donor requirements).
• Support grant reporting by providing accurate operational metrics and narratives.
• Maintain strong relationships with food banks, vendors, community organizations, donors, and government partners.(e.g., food sourcing, shared distribution, joint outreach).
• Represent the organization in operational working groups,local food policy council,and emergency response coordination as needed.
• Maintain contingency plans for supply chain disruptions, weather events,etc.
• Serve as acting Director of Food Security in their absence on operational matters and serve as operational lead during emergencies, ensuring rapid and flexible food distribution responses
• Provide operational input for strategic planning, department‑wide resource allocation, and organizational decision‑making.
• Work environment includes office setting with the use of basic office equipment, food pantry environment,standing for extended periods of time during distribution times and restocking,working in the community and work in various field office locations.
• Safely operate pallet jacks, forklift, and loading lift.
• Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Attendance at meetings and trainings.
• Local travel as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Nutrition, Public Health, Social Work, or related field.Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 8–10 yearsof experience in operations,logistics, food systems,food security, agriculture, nutrition, or humanitarian/development programming or large‑scale program management.Strong understanding of food supply chains,food systems,storage and transport operations, compliance, and safety standards.
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff and managing cross‑functional teams.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and process‑improvement skills.
• Experience working with donors, government institutions, and external partners.
• Proficiency in additional languages is preferred.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and inventory management systems required.
• The ability to bend,reach and lift 65 pounds without the use of an assistive device.
• ServSafe certification is preferred or willingness to be trained in food safety for food handlers.
• Ability to manage high‑volume, fast‑moving operations in a complex, multicultural environment.
• Strong communication,relational,strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Works well independently and as part of a team. Supports other pantries as needed ,including participating in the physical demands of the role, and flexibly accommodating pantry or volunteer group needs as required.
• Commitment to equity, community needs, and service quality.
• Experience with Salesforce, Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and Outlook. Willingness and ability to learn internal software systems for scheduling and inventory.
• A valid license with 5+ years of driving experience,good driving record and willingness to drive 16' and 26' trucks and pantry vans. Must be comfortable driving on highways and interstates.
• May require travel to program sites or partner locations which may include occasional weekend or evening hours

Our benefits are competitive and include a 403(b) savings plan and generous time off (benefits may vary based on position and scheduled hours ).

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The base pay range reflects what Catholic Charities reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for this role at the time of posting and may be modified from time to time. Actual compensation in this range may be determined based on other factors, including but not limited to work experience, education and specialty training.

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