Production Volunteer Leader

Position Purpose: The Production Volunteer Leader is the face of Gleaners to volunteers and will be responsible for achieving the volunteer production goals through efficient processes, while providing exemplary customer service to the individuals and groups who volunteer their time to assist the Gleaners Food Bank mission. Volunteer projects vary from sorting good vs bad food, repackaging bulk product, creating boxes of mixed product, labeling/ casing product, and creating new processes to handle new donations. Responsibilities also include training and leading volunteer workers in a warehouse setting, while maintaining the safety of the food supply chain and other compliance initiatives. All responsibilities shall be consistent with Gleaners Food Bank's mission to be a leader in the fight against hunger.

Position Essential Functions and Responsibilities:To be successful in this role, Production Volunteer Leaders are expected to perform hands-on packing, warehouse, inventory management and related administrative tasks. Responsibilities also include training and leading volunteer workers in a warehouse setting, while maintaining the safety of the food supply chain and other compliance initiatives. As this position interacts with the public, Group Leaders have the responsibility to speak in front of groups with an outgoing, encouraging, and positive demeanor.

Essential Functions:

• Primary Functions will be to lead volunteers on projects to process food to make it ready for distribution. Product may range from dry to cooler or frozen product. Groups of volunteers range from 2-50 people and possibly more.
• Trains volunteers in assigned tasks and oversees volunteer adherence to personnel and food safety standards.
• Collaborates with Volunteer Department and Supervisor regarding all volunteer activities.
• Works hands on to perform packing, warehousing and inventory management tasks with volunteers and team.
• Maintains quality control over product being sorted and packed by inspecting product throughout the process and ensuring all products are accurately coded and stored properly.
• Responsible to set up, lead, and tear down volunteer projects.
• Perform various warehouse functions including product receipt, loading and unloading of semis and box trucks, put-away, replenishment, order-fulfillment (by both case and pallet quantities), prepare product for distribution (including wrapping pallets and labeling orders), and ship product to final customer.
  1. Lead volunteer groups in sorting of food/non-food so as to maximize velocity through the DC
  2. Take direction as indicated by multiple sources: document, scanner or other instruction.
  3. Keep your work station clean and log all cleaning performed in the AIB binders.
• Operate a PIT equipment according to Gleaners and OSHA guidelines.
• Ensure compliance and adherence to all food safety guidelines according to GFB, Feeding America, AIB, USDA, ISDH and any other applicable processes or regulations for safe and sanitary production and storage of all products.
• All other duties as assigned.

Skills/Qualifications: The requirements listed below are representative of the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and/or abilities an individual need in order to perform this job successfully.

Education and/or Experience:

• High School Diploma or equivalent experience

• Experience providing a quality experience to volunteers so they are motivated to continue their support of the Food Bank mission preferred.
• Knowledge and experience performing warehouse functions (safety procedures, product receipt, put-away, replenishment, inventory, order-fulfillment and shipment, etc.) desired.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to read, write and to understand instructions
• Ability to communicate professionally and respectfully with all staff members, agencies, volunteers, and donors.
• Ability to speak and present in front of groups of 2-70 people.
• Ability to perform basic math functions, to count accurately and maintain accurate records
• Understand warehouse inventory
• Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment with a diverse workgroup.
• Forklift certification (or ability to be certified)

Core Competencies: Communication, Customer Service, Reliability/Dependability, Respect and Integrity, Teamwork and Work Habits/Planning.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that an individual must meet in order to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Gleaners will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Ability to stand for long periods of time; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to lift and/or and move 50 lbs. regularly and to push/pull 2,000lbs. of product using manual pallet jack.
• Ability to operate machine, mechanical, and electrical equipment.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Gleaners will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Warehouse/Distribution Environment
• This position is predominantly warehouse-based with primary activity in refrigerated or freezer environments.
• Abnormally Cold/Hot Environment
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Exposure to fumes/odors and dirt/dust.
• Some exposure to outdoors (i.e. all-weather conditions) and office
• Machinery/equipment in use.
• Works well with others and independently.
• Verbal face-to-face contact with others
• Requires movement of product in-and-out of trailers and straight trucks.
• Flexible work schedule, including ability to work Saturday and evening hours as needed

Gleaners Food Bank is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and provides equal opportunities for employment and advancement for all individuals, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, pregnancy, leave status, genetic information, veteran status, creed, citizenship status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, or any other status or category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.