Manager, Boro Park Food Program

Met Council is America’s largest Jewish charity dedicated to serving the needy. We fight poverty through comprehensive social services and by treating each client with compassion, integrity, and respect. Our programs are staffed by experts who help over 325,000 clients each year and advocate on behalf of all needy New Yorkers. Our services include 100% affordable housing at 21 locations, family violence services, Holocaust survivor assistance, geriatric social work, crisis intervention and the largest free kosher food distribution program in the world. Our network of 120 food pantries, affordable housing sites, and JCCs provide services directly in neighborhoods across New York City.

Position Summary:

The Manager, Boro Park Food Program is responsible for overseeing all operations at the food pantry located in Met Council’s Brooklyn Social Services Hub. Responsibilities include purchasing, stocking, conducting inventory, and supervising all pantry volunteers, while using Met Council’s digital system to facilitate the ordering, packing, and pick-up of emergency food packages in Boro Park. The Manager will leverage community partnerships to build client connections, potential donor relationships, and to create a volunteer base in service of supporting ongoing emergency food delivery in the community.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Oversee all operations at the Kosher Food Pantry.
• Develop and maintain a functional emergency food space that maintains our program goals and activities.
• Oversee ordering and packing of clients’ emergency food packages.
• Implement, manage, and maintain inventory control.
• Work with food distributors, production companies, and agencies on purchasing and/or acquiring high quality, culturally appropriate, and relevant food at the best price for the pantry.
• Identify and nurture partnerships with volunteers, donors, and community groups to support volunteer activities out of the pantry.
• Present on the pantry and its operations at Met Council events and during meetings with potential donors, as needed.
• Identify and engage with non-profit partners and communal institutions to identify individuals and families who would benefit from emergency food packages.
• Research, create, and nurture networks of potential donors to the pantry.
• Create and maintain proper pantry procedures.
• Connect with community partners on identifying and recruiting volunteers for the pantry.
• Oversee all pantry volunteers and provide them with supervision and guidance, as needed.
• Document all pantry and client activities.
• Ensure proper collection and reporting of pantry client statistics.
• Participate in team, program, and Met Council meetings, seminars, and trainings, as required.
• Additional responsibilities as required.

Competencies:

• Must be responsive to the particular needs of the Boro Park community.
• Must be closely familiar with local community groups.
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Solid problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional time management skills.
• Exceptional communication skills—both written and verbal.
• Superior customer service skills.
• Strong knowledge of Windows and all Microsoft Office programs.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, and manage multiple complex tasks simultaneously.
• Significant organization skills, with an ability to stay focused on assigned tasks.

Skills and Education:

• Associate’s degree (required); Bachelor’s degree (preferred).
• 2 years of relevant experience working in food pantry operations, warehouse management, or a related field (required).
• Fluent in English (required); understanding of Yiddish (preferred).
• Knowledge of Kashrut laws (required).

Special Requirements:

• Travel around Brooklyn.

Physical Demands:

1. Required Constantly: Walking, sitting, grasping, bending, stooping, squatting, computer input, finger dexterity and coordination of hand, eye and foot.
2. Required Frequently: Standing and climbing stairs; carrying laptop & files (approx. 8-10 lbs).
3. Required Occasionally: Reaching above the shoulder, and lifting 5-25 pounds, pushing and pulling.

Compensation: $65,000 to $75,000 per year.

Benefits: Major medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; pre-tax commuter benefits; FSA; 403(b) with employer contribution; plus generous vacation, sick leave, and holidays.