Warehouse Operations Manager at Nourishing Hope

Organization Overview

Nourishing Hope, formerly known as Lakeview Pantry, is a dynamic Chicago nonprofit providing food and social services for anyone in need. Founded in 1970, we’re one of the largest and longest operating hunger relief organizations in Chicago. We also provide free, trauma-informed mental health counseling and other social services, such as job and housing assistance. We strive to serve the needs of the whole person — with respect and dignity, always.

Nourishing Hope offers our neighbors nutritious food using a choice-based distribution model and access to life-changing social services including:

• Monthly food distribution and additional produce pickup through five different food access programs;
• Home delivery services for older adults, homebound neighbors and neighbors living with disabilities;
• Social services including case management, mental health counseling, job search support, domestic violence intervention, referrals and public benefits assistance (SNAP, healthcare, government forms) for anyone in need.

Nourishing Hope serves tens of thousands of people each year, providing more than 4 million meals through our programs, in addition to partnerships with other community organizations. This year, Nourishing Hope will provide about 200,000 food and social services to our Chicago neighbors.

Position Summary

The Warehouse Manager plans, organizes, and oversees the safe receipt, storage, and throughput of goods at our headquarters warehouse. As the warehouse leader, they ensure compliance with workplace health and food safety requirements while maintaining accurate inventory records, optimizing operations for efficiency, and communicating cross-functionally with other departments and locations. They manage personnel matters including  hiring, training, and performance management of Warehouse Coordinators. They work with the Warehouse Coordinators to create a welcoming environment that effectively trains, motivates, and supervises volunteers, who are the majority of the HQ warehouse workforce. They oversee safety at the warehouse and make procedural and structural improvements. This role requires a depth of warehouse management experience, strong leadership skills, and a people-first approach to ensure efficiency, accuracy, accountability, and positive work environment across the warehouse staff and volunteers.

Schedule and Locations

This position primarily works out of Nourishing Hope headquarters, 1716 W. Hubbard in Chicago. Hours vary slightly on different days but all take place between Monday - Friday, 7am - 5pm. This role may occasionally need to support Saturday shifts or our Hub warehouse (5151 N Ravenswood) for unexpected staffing. 

Essential Job Functions

• Supervise warehouse operations staff (one full time Warehouse Coordinator, and one part time Warehouse Coordinator to be hired). Interview, select, schedule, coach and train to maximize performance. 
• Provide training and supervision for warehouse volunteers, including skill development for regular volunteers and orientations for large groups; create a welcoming environment for volunteers and promote safety in warehouse volunteer operations.
• Optimize usage of space to ensure efficient turnover of goods; organize space to implement 5S standards to ensure safety and visually intuitive organization.
• Perform and oversee warehouse inventory control of incoming and outgoing products. Ensure that accurate records are maintained.
• Maintain the warehouse in a manner that ensures compliance with external regulatory bodies, including, but not limited to OSHA regulations, health code regulations, Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) food safety guidelines, and Nourishing Hope standards.
• Create and implement the warehouse safety program and conduct regular monthly report outs on milestones. Lead safety initiatives and oversee safety performance in person at  the HQ warehouse, including safety training, supporting investigation of accidents, and providing on-the-job coaching.
• Identify volunteer needs to provide adequate staff support for warehouse functions 
• Be on the warehouse floor some days of the week, training and supervising warehouse staff and volunteers to perform duties, and actively ensuring that all daily tasks are completed.
• Develop standard operating procedures and ensure proper training and safe operations for  warehouse staff and volunteers.  
• Support the implementation of new inventory software, including providing input on pre-launch configurations, training HQ warehouse coordinator staff and volunteers, and maintaining accurate inventory data and cycle counts post-launch. 
• Ensure the safe and efficient operation of all warehouse equipment, including coolers, freezers, forklift, and pallet jacks. Conduct relevant preventive daily, weekly and monthly checks and report maintenance needs 
• Partner with Product Sourcing Coordinator to specify operational capacity for in-kind donations and need for purchased food.
• Develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with cross-functional Nourishing Hope staff that work alongside operations in the HQ warehouse and at our other locations.

Qualifications 

Required

• High School or equivalent.
• Five years’ experience in warehousing, receiving, inventory control, or materials management, preferably involving a multi-temperature environment with receiving, inventory control, and distribution.
• 3 or more years of warehouse staff management experience
• Previous experience managing warehouse inventory through a centralized software system and sound computer skills
• Experience with regulatory agencies in the areas of food safety, sanitation, OSHA, etc.
• 3 years forklift experience. 
• Excellent leadership and organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills with ability to create a welcoming environment, offer effective performance coaching for staff and volunteers, and make effective oral presentations to large and small groups.
• Ability to work with and manage volunteers
• Strong problem-solving and project management skills.
• Ability to efficiently and effectively handle shifting and multiple priorities while meeting and communicating progress vs deadlines
• Strong ability to analyze and use data to drive decision making.
• An understanding of, and belief in, the importance of food security for everyone.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree 
• Valid Illinois driver’s license, clean driving record and ability to drive a van.
• Forklift certification.
• Experience in food warehousing for an anti-hunger or anti-poverty food bank

Pay and Benefits

Salary: $60,000 - $65,000

Full-time benefits include:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution
• Generous paid time off
• Paid birthday holiday
• Parental leave
• Language pay (Spanish, Russian, Polish)
• $250 employee referral bonus
• Free subscription to mental wellness app

Background Check

Because we are a Medicaid provider all applicants who are offered employment with Nourishing Hope will be subject to a background screening. Offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a background screening conducted in accordance with Nourishing Hope policy and federal, state and local law.