Route Coordinator Jobs in Springfield, IL (NOW HIRING)

Department: Programs

Reports To: Program Manager

Status: Full-Time, Hourly

Location: Central Illinois Foodbank – Springfield, Illinois (onsite)

Salary: $24.00 - $30.00

The Program Coordinator – Community Programs & Outreach is a community-facing position responsible for the day-to-day coordination of Central Illinois Foodbank’s community outreach, agency engagement, Retail Route while supporting community food distributions, food drives, and other community-based initiatives.

This position serves as a primary point of contact for retail partners and participating agencies and works closely with the Program Manager and Programs team. The ideal candidate is organized, dependable, relationship-oriented, and comfortable balancing logistics, communication, and hands-on community work.

• Coordinate and support community food distributions and special distribution events.
• Support food drives, including coordinating tote delivery and pickup and food collection logistics.
• Support the Kitchen Cart initiative and other community-based food access efforts.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations, businesses, schools, health organizations, and other community partners, particularly in rural communities.
• Collect community and participant feedback through surveys and other feedback methods.

• Coordinate the day-to-day operation of the Foodbank’s Retail Route, including scheduling pickups, coordinating with retail partners, agencies and volunteers, and communicating schedule changes.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with retail partners and participating agencies.
• Ensure Retail Route food is handled, documented, and distributed according to Foodbank and food safety requirements.
• Maintain accurate Retail Route records and data.
• Identify opportunities to improve route efficiency, food recovery, participation, and community access.
• Assist with onboarding new retail and agency partners to the Retail Route.

• Serve as a point of contact for assigned partner agencies and provide support related to Foodbank services, distributions, and scheduling.
• Assist with agency onboarding, communication, training, and ongoing engagement.
• Cross-train on agency services and compliance requirements to provide support and coverage across the Programs team.
• Maintain accurate program records and utilize Foodbank systems, including Service Insights.
• Follow Foodbank, Feeding America, USDA, food safety, and other applicable requirements.
• Work collaboratively with all foodbank staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in communications, marketing, social services, nonprofit management, or a related field.
• One to three years of experience in community outreach, nonprofit services, logistics, food distribution, customer service, or a related field preferred. Equivalent experience will be considered.
• Strong organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently.
• Comfortable working in office, warehouse, retail, and community environments.
• Ability to represent the Foodbank professionally with a variety of community partners.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• Ability to travel throughout the Foodbank’s 21-county service area.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

• Community Engagement: Builds positive, respectful relationships with partners and community members.
• Organization: Effectively manages schedules, logistics, documentation, and competing priorities.
• Communication: Communicates clearly and proactively with agencies, retail partners, volunteers, and coworkers.
• Reliability: Follows through on commitments and can be counted on to manage day-to-day responsibilities.
• Problem Solving: Responds effectively to changing schedules and unexpected situations.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively across departments and contributes to a positive team environment.
• Adaptability: Comfortable balancing office work with driving, community outreach, distributions, and hands-on activities.

This position regularly works in office, warehouse, retail, outdoor, and community environments. Responsibilities may require standing, walking, bending, reaching, lifting, loading and unloading food or supplies, and assisting with distributions.

Success in this role means the Retail Route operates reliably and efficiently, retail and agency partners receive responsive support, community distributions and outreach activities are well organized, build relationships, and accurate program information is maintained. The successful candidate will be a dependable and visible member of the Foodbank’s Programs team and a positive representative of the Central Illinois Foodbank throughout the community.

The Central Illinois Foodbank is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse and inclusive workplace.

About Central Illinois Foodbank:

Central Illinois Foodbank is a dynamic not-for-profit committed to feeding our neighbors across central and southern Illinois. The Foodbank was established in 1982 and distributed millions of pounds of food last year to over 150 food pantries, soup kitchens, residential programs and after-school programs in a 21-county region. Central Illinois Foodbank is a Partner Food Bank of Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger-relief organization.

The Foodbank's vision is access to and awareness of healthy foods for all.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance