Gleaners Food Bank

Food Pantry Volunteer Leader

Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana is the state's largest hunger relief organization and one of the leading food banks in the Feeding America Network. In addition to vital hunger relief programs in our 21-county service area, we also operate Fresh Connect Central, a regional produce cooperative for Feeding America, serve as a contract reclamation site for Kroger Central Division, and are a staging site for FEMA disaster response. The Food Pantry Volunteer Leader coordinates the real-time fulfillment of neighbor grocery orders through Gleaners' Drive Thru Food Pantry and other direct distribution programs while leading volunteer teams of 20–40 individuals. This position oversees daily fulfillment operations, inventory replenishment, volunteer training, and operational support to ensure an efficient, safe, and welcoming experience for neighbors and volunteers. Working closely with the Supervisor, the leader supports fulfillment technology, process improvements, and compliance with food safety and warehouse standards while advancing Gleaners Food Bank's mission to be a leader in the fight against hunger.

Essential Functions of Food Pantry Volunteer Leader:

• Work hands-on with volunteers and neighbors to lead the real-time fulfillment of grocery orders during Drive Thru Food Pantry distributions and other direct distribution programs, ensuring accurate fulfillment, efficient operations, and a welcoming experience for all.
• Responsible for the setup, execution, and teardown of Drive Thru Food Pantry distributions. Assist the Supervisor with all aspects of daily operations in a fast-paced, multifaceted environment, ensuring grocery orders are accurately fulfilled in real time while maintaining efficient workflows and exceptional customer service.
• Partner with the Volunteer Engagement team to plan volunteer needs, develop training, and provide ongoing coaching and operational support.
• Serve as the first point of contact for neighbors and volunteers by assisting with grocery order placement, answering questions, resolving operational or technology issues, and ensuring every interaction reflects Gleaners' commitment to treating all individuals with dignity, compassion, and respect.
• Utilize warehouse management and inventory systems, barcode technology, and warehouse equipment, including forklifts, to replenish inventory, maintain inventory accuracy, and support daily fulfillment operations.
• Monitor inventory levels, assist with cycle counts and physical inventories, and communicate replenishment needs to ensure products remain available during live distributions.
• Support the implementation and continuous improvement of fulfillment technology, operational processes, volunteer training, and reporting by providing feedback, data, and recommendations.
• Collect and provide data, analysis, reports, and information as needed.
• Cross-train and provide operational support for Home Delivery, Gleaners2Go, and other direct food distributions as needed.
• Ensure compliance with Gleaners, Feeding America, USDA, AIB, ISDH, OSHA, and all applicable food safety and workplace safety standards.
• Participate in departmental and organizational meetings and training, and perform other duties as assigned.

Education and/or Experience of Food Pantry Volunteer Leader:

• High School diploma/GED or equivalent experience
• 1-2 years of administrative/order entry and customer service experience preferred.
• Grocery retail experience preferred.
• Bilingual (Spanish) Strongly Preferred

Other Skills and Abilities of Food Pantry Volunteer Leader:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Ability to train, coach, and lead volunteer groups in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong customer service, problem-solving, analytical skills. and ability to think creatively.
• Ability to perform basic math, maintain accurate inventory records, and distinguish between case counts, pallet quantities, lot numbers, and warehouse locations.
• Experience using barcode scanners and electronic warehouse documentation tools.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and operational needs.
• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Commitment to food safety, workplace safety, and Gleaners' mission as a hunger relief leader in the community.

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.