Receiving Associate

Job Description

Job Title: Receiving Associate

Reports to: Warehouse and Receiving Supervisor

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Job Location: Bridgeton, MO

Position Summary

The Receiving Associate supports the Operations Department by safely and efficiently unloading, staging, handling, and storing food products received by the St. Louis Area Foodbank. Working with the Receiving Coordinator, this position moves products from the receiving area to appropriate storage locations in a timely, accurate, and organized manner.

Responsibilities include unloading trucks, staging and labeling products as directed, moving products to assigned storage locations, and maintaining proper product rotation. This work supports an efficient flow of products through receiving and warehouse operations.

The Receiving Associate works collaboratively with the Receiving Coordinator, warehouse team, and other Operations staff, with a consistent focus on safety, food handling, accuracy, productivity, and proper care of Foodbank products and equipment.

Duties & Responsibilities

Unloading & Product Handling

• Safely unload donated, purchased, and government food products from trucks and other delivery vehicles under the direction of the Receiving Coordinator.
• Handle products carefully to prevent damage, contamination, and loss during unloading and movement.
• Move pallets, cases, and other food products from receiving docks to designated staging areas.
• Break down, downstack, consolidate, or restack pallets as needed for safe and efficient handling and storage.
• Keep products organized and protected while they are staged in the receiving area.
• Notify the Receiving Coordinator of damaged products, shortages, overages, temperature concerns, and other discrepancies observed during unloading or handling.
• Follow special handling instructions for refrigerated, frozen, damaged, or other designated products.

Put Away and Product Rotation

• Put received products away in the appropriate dry, refrigerated, or frozen storage locations as directed by the Receiving Coordinator.
• Place products in the correct storage locations without obstructing aisles, exits, equipment, or designated travel paths.
• Follow first in, first out (FIFO); first expired, first out (FEFO); and other applicable product rotation procedures.
• Rotate existing products as directed to maintain inventory flow and access.
• Relocate or remove products as directed by the Receiving Coordinator or warehouse leadership.
• Store products safely and securely to prevent damage, spoilage, and loss.
• Maintain organized staging and storage areas to support efficient warehouse operations.

Product Identification & Documentation Support

• Apply product labels, pallet tags, location identifiers, and other markings as directed by the Receiving Coordinator.
• Verify that products being put away are properly identified and released for storage.
• Report missing, damaged, or incorrect labels to the Receiving Coordinator.
• Help the Receiving Coordinator verify product quantities and locations when requested.
• Notify the Receiving Coordinator of discrepancies between products physically received and receiving documentation.
• Assist with physical inventory counts and related activities as directed.

Warehouse Operations & Safety

• Maintain clean, organized, and safe receiving and staging areas.
• Keep docks, aisles, and designated travel paths clear of product, debris, pallets, shrink wrap, and other obstructions.
• Safely operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and other warehouse equipment in accordance with Foodbank procedures.
• Perform daily equipment inspections and promptly report damage or safety concerns.
• Follow all Foodbank safety, food safety, sanitation, security, and warehouse procedures.
• Model and reinforce safe work practices.
• Handle and dispose of damaged or spoiled products in accordance with established procedures.
• Report unsafe conditions, spills, damaged pallets, equipment issues, or other hazards to the appropriate supervisor.
• Maintain required equipment certifications and complete required training.

Team & Operational Support

• Work with the Receiving Coordinator to keep the receiving and put away process efficient.
• Communicate effectively with receiving, warehouse, and other Operations team members.
• Assist Warehouse Associates with moving and storing products as operational needs require.
• Support inventory, distribution, special projects, audits, and other Operations activities as assigned.
• Help maintain an efficient flow of products from receiving through storage and distribution.
• Demonstrate accountability, teamwork, flexibility, and a willingness to support changing operational priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Warehouse, receiving, distribution, or material handling experience preferred.
• Experience operating forklifts and pallet jacks strongly preferred.
• Ability to obtain required forklift certification within the first 30 days of employment, if applicable.
• Ability to work regularly in refrigerated and freezer environments.
• Ability to safely operate warehouse equipment and follow established operating procedures.
• Basic math and counting skills.
• Ability to recognize and report damaged, missing, or incorrectly identified product.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions accurately.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced warehouse environment with changing priorities.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate product placement and rotation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with coworkers, supervisors, and other internal stakeholders.
• Knowledge of warehouse safety practices and applicable OSHA requirements preferred.
• Food distribution, food banking, or food industry experience preferred.
• Commitment to the Foodbank mission and ability to demonstrate its core values: Stewardship, Teamwork, Agility, and Respect.
• Ability to successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening and criminal background check.

Work Schedule

• Monday through Friday 7:30am- 4pm, onsite at the St. Louis Area Food Bank facility.
• Occasional evening and weekend hours may be required to support operational needs, special events, audits, inventories, or other projects.

Work Environment

The St. Louis Area Foodbank operates on a dynamic, single-campus environment that brings together our office spaces, warehouse, Volunteer Center, and Agency Dock-all in one location. Work is performed in an active warehouse setting that supports the daily movement and distribution of food across our region.

This role involves regular walking on concrete surfaces and working in a variety of conditions, including areas that may be warm in the summer and cooler in the winter. Responsibilities may include entering refrigerated and freezer spaces as part of normal operations.

The environment is fast-paced and hands-on, with exposure to equipment such as pallet jacks and other motorized vehicles, as well as varying noise levels and occasional dust. Work may also include time outdoors and handling a range of product conditions, including damaged goods.

This role requires frequent physical activity, including lifting, bending, stooping, and moving items up to 75 pounds, as well as pushing and pulling palletized loads using manual equipment.

The Impact You'll Make

At the St. Louis Area Foodbank, every role contributes to building a stronger bi-state region by nourishing people, strengthening communities, and transforming systems. Guided by our EPIC values- Evolve, People-Centric, Integrity, and Courage -we show up each day committed to making a meaningful difference for those we serve and for one another.

Working alongside nearly 600 hunger-relief partners, we help provide food and support to more than 400,000 people each year across 26 counties in Missouri and Illinois. As the region's leading organization in food distribution and hunger relief, we continuously evolve by learning, adapting, and finding better ways to serve our neighbors and communities. We put people at the center of our work, act with integrity in the relationships we build, and demonstrate the courage to challenge the status quo in pursuit of greater impact.

When you join our team, you become part of a mission-driven organization where your skills, ideas, and passion contribute to creating lasting change throughout our region.

What We Can Offer You

At the St. Louis Area Foodbank, we lead with a people-centric approach, ensuring dignity and compassion are at the heart of every interaction and decision. Our commitment to culture is reflected through employee-led groups like our Culture Workgroup and the Employee Experience Committee (Employee Engagement, Social Responsibility, and Health and Wellness Sub-Committees). At the Foodbank, voices are heard, ideas are valued, and continuous improvement is part of how we work together.

In addition to meaningful work that supports our community, we offer a competitive total rewards package designed to support you both professionally and personally, including:

• Competitive pay based on experience
• Generous paid time off (PTO), including PTO, floating holidays, a birthday holiday, volunteer time off, and early summer release days
• 403(b) retirement plan with company match
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Company-paid life insurance
• Short-term disability coverage
• Opportunities for professional growth and development

Social Responsibility Statement

You are welcome at the St. Louis Area Foodbank (SLAFB) for who you are. At the SLAFB, we strive to empower our team to embrace and celebrate who they are. We cultivate a fair work environment that fosters belonging and respects and values people with varied backgrounds, demographics, identities and disabilities. Doing so strengthens our organization, cultivates a culture where everyone feels valued and can bring their best selves to the SLAFB. This enables us to nourish people, empower communities, and transform systems. At the SLAFB, we cultivate a respectful and empowered workplace that embraces a broad range of lived experiences and viewpoints. We are committed to building a team that reflects the neighbors and communities we serve in the bi-state region to enhance engagement and connectivity with all key stakeholders.

This job description does not list all the duties of the job. Performance of other duties may be requested. Evaluations will be in part based upon performance of the tasks listed in this job description. St. Louis Area Foodbank has the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description is not an employment contract.