Food Pantry Program Manager

Catholic Charities of Boston•Boston, MA

8d•$55,102 - $60,000

About The Position

The Food Pantry Program Manager is an operations-focused leader responsible for the operational, logistical, and administrative functions supporting Catholic Charities food security programs and management of the Yawkey Food Pantry. The role ensures that food sourcing, storage, distribution, partnerships, compliance, and reporting processes run efficiently and at scale. Working closely with the Director of Food Security, the manager translates strategy into action, drives continuous improvement, and supports high-quality service delivery across programs. The manager oversees food procurement, inventory, transportation, distribution, partner coordination, food safety, compliance, operational data, budgets, reporting, and continuous improvement. The role supervises the Driver and Food Pantry Assistant, supports program coordinators, staff, and volunteers, and maintains relationships with food banks, vendors, community organizations, donors, and government partners. The manager may serve as acting Director of Food Security on operational matters and as operational lead during emergencies. The work includes office and food pantry settings, community work, and field office locations. The role requires local travel as needed and may include occasional evening or weekend hours. The stated schedule is 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, Nutrition, Public Health, Social Work, or a related field.
A minimum of 8–10 years of experience in operations, logistics, food systems, food security, agriculture, nutrition, humanitarian or development programming, or large-scale program management.
Strong understanding of food supply chains, food systems, storage and transportation 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.
Knowledge of food safety regulations and inventory management systems.
Ability to bend, reach, and lift 65 pounds without an assistive device.
Ability to manage high-volume, fast-moving operations in a complex, multicultural environment.
Strong communication, relational, strategic-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Commitment to equity, community needs, and service quality.
Experience with Salesforce and Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and Outlook, and willingness and ability to learn internal scheduling and inventory systems.
Valid driver’s license, at least five years of driving experience, a good driving record, and willingness to drive 16-foot and 26-foot trucks and pantry vans, including on highways and interstates.
Ability to travel to program sites or partner locations, which may include occasional weekend or evening hours.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Proficiency in additional languages.
ServSafe certification, or willingness to be trained in food safety for food handlers.

Responsibilities

Oversee day-to-day operations of food security programs, including procurement, inventory, transportation, distribution, and partner coordination.
Lead the development and enforcement of standard operating procedures for food handling, transportation, storage, volunteer management, and community distribution sites.
Ensure activities meet food safety standards, quality guidelines, and regulatory requirements.
Manage end-to-end food supply chain workflows, including sourcing, vendor relations, deliveries, storage, routing, and last-mile distribution.
Optimize logistics to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and ensure reliable access to nutritious food.
Oversee transportation planning, including drivers, scheduling, and maintenance.
Support program coordinators in implementing food distribution programs, nutrition initiatives, education, and community partnerships.
Monitor operational data, including volumes, turnaround time, inventory levels, and service utilization, and make actionable adjustments.
Lead audits and continuous improvement projects.
Supervise the Driver and Food Pantry Assistant, overseeing logistics, storage, transportation, program delivery, and community engagement functions.
Coach, mentor, and manage performance to support effective operational teams.
Support recruitment, onboarding, and training of staff and volunteers.
Manage operational budgets for staffing, transportation, storage, and procurement.
Maintain compliance with federal, state, local, and partner food program requirements.
Support grant reporting by providing accurate operational metrics and narratives.
Maintain relationships with food banks, vendors, community organizations, donors, and government partners.
Represent the organization in operational working groups, local food policy council activities, and emergency response coordination as needed.
Maintain contingency plans for supply chain disruptions, weather events, and other emergencies.
Serve as acting Director of Food Security in the Director's absence on operational matters and lead operational emergency responses.
Provide operational input for strategic planning, department-wide resource allocation, and organizational decision-making.
Safely operate pallet jacks, forklifts, and loading lifts.
Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality; attend meetings and trainings; and travel locally as needed.
Support other pantries as needed, including meeting the physical demands of the role and accommodating pantry or volunteer group needs.