Inventory Associate

Hope Mission Statement

The mission of Hope the Mission is to prevent, reduce and eliminate poverty, hunger, and homelessness by offering immediate assistance and long-term solutions.

Position Purpose and Summary

A kitchen that produces thousands of meals a day cannot cook what it does not have. Stock levels, storage organization, shipment accuracy, and waste control are not details — they are what keeps the kitchen running. The Inventory Associate is responsible for keeping that foundation solid.

Reporting to the Kitchen Logistics Manager, the Inventory Associate receives, inspects, stores, and tracks all kitchen supplies, dry goods, perishables, and equipment. This role ensures shipments are accurate, stock is organized and rotated correctly, monthly counts are completed on time, and low stock levels are flagged before they become a problem.

This position does not involve cooking. It involves making cooking possible. When the inventory is right, the kitchen runs. When the kitchen runs, people get fed. The Inventory Associate is accountable for that chain holding together.

Responsibilities

Receiving & Shipment Inspection

• Receive and unload incoming shipments including kitchen supplies, dry goods, perishables, and equipment
• Inspect all incoming shipments to verify they meet quality and accuracy standards
• Maintain accurate records of all items received including quantity, quality, and expiration dates

Inventory Management & Storage

• Stock all items using FIFO (First In, First Out) principles
• Conduct a full inventory count on the last day of every month
• Maintain inventory levels sufficient to meet daily kitchen operations
• Notify the supervisor of any low stock items before they affect production
• Organize storage to maximize capacity and ensure systematic, easy access to all items
• Follow inventory control practices to reduce waste and spoilage

Sanitation & Facility Maintenance

• Maintain a clean and sanitary workspace at all times
• Organize and clean all Food Services areas including dry storage, refrigeration, and freezer storage
• Assist with cleaning and maintenance of all kitchen workspaces and storage areas
• Assist with trash disposal and maintenance

Logistics & Team Support

• Assist with meal load-out and drop-offs alongside kitchen staff and drivers
• Work alongside volunteers and workers who support meal preparation and service
• Follow all food safety regulations to maintain a safe environment
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Must pass pre-employment background check
• Must pass pre-employment and ongoing drug and alcohol screenings
• Must provide proof of legal authorization to work in the United States
• Must comply with all HTM policies including safety, conduct, and food safety standards
• Food Handler Certification required or must be obtained upon hire
• Ability to lift up to 70 lbs.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on a continuous basis throughout the shift
• Ability to push, pull, grasp, and reach overhead regularly
• Ability to work in variable indoor and outdoor environmental conditions
• Ability to perform sustained visual and hearing tasks
• Full-Time | Non-Exempt | Non-Management classification

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of warehouse, fulfillment, or operations experience
• High school diploma or GED required
• Experience operating a forklift, pallet jack, or straddle stacker preferred
• Familiarity with FIFO inventory principles and stock rotation practices preferred
• Experience in a food service or kitchen logistics environment preferred

Skills

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to maintain systematic storage and accurate records
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively under time constraints
• Attention to detail in shipment inspection, inventory counts, and recordkeeping
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and safe food handling and storage procedures
• Ability to collaborate effectively with kitchen staff, drivers, volunteers, and other departments
• Ability to work independently and maintain a positive, professional attitude in a physically demanding environment
• Commitment to serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness

Mandatory Requirements

• Background Screening – Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.
• Drug and Alcohol Testing – Candidates must pass pre-employment and, if applicable, ongoing drug and alcohol screenings in accordance with company policy.
• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Check – For roles requiring driving, employment is contingent upon an acceptable driving record.
• Legal Eligibility to Work – Candidates must provide proof of legal authorization to work in the United States.
• Compliance with Company Policies – All employees must comply with company policies, including safety, confidentiality, and conduct standards.

Physical, Demands, Environmental Conditions, Equipment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The employee is required to: walk and climb stairs; stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or sometimes continuous basis; grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead; handle, finger, grasp and feel objects and equipment; reach with hands and arms; be mobile by moving oneself from place to place quickly and easily; repeat various motions with the wrists, hands, and fingers; be able to perform visual activities for (including, but not limited to) administrative and clerical tasks; ability to lift up to 70 lbs.; communicate, receive and exchange ideas, information by means of the spoken and written word; drive vehicles in and around Los Angeles County; be able to enter various buildings that may require climbing stairs; be periodically subjected to outside environmental conditions. The employee may work in proximity to service animals and emotional support animals; use a desktop and/or laptop computer; copy, postage, and fax machines. Complete all required forms in personal writing.

Work Environment

The employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using alcohol and drugs, and who may not be attentive to basic personal hygiene, health and safety practices. The employee may experience a number of unpleasant sensory demands associated with the participants' use of alcohol and drugs, and lack of personal hygiene. The employee must be ready to respond quickly and effectively to many types of situations, including crisis situations and potentially hostile situations. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate in an office setting. Sometimes work may become stressful when working under pressure or in crisis intervention.

EEO: HTM (Hope the Mission) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, HTM complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, placement, promotion, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

HTM will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if HTM is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing's Fair Chance Act webpage.