Food Rescue Coordinator, Springfield (Part-Time)
It can be hard to imagine what food recovery looks like! To help you get a sense of our work on the road, please take a look at this short video (Click Here). In addition to the driving, lifting, and distributing you see here, a portion of the role does require administrative work and team meetings. A full overview of the role follows.
REPORTS TO: Operations Manager
TO APPLY: All applicants must upload a resume and include a cover letter in the Personal Summary field on the application.
HOURS
This position is intended to assist our Full-Time Food Rescue Coordinator in the Springfield area. As such, the Part-Time Food Rescue Coordinator will work 2-3 days per week most weeks, but should be available to fill in as needed for shifts (up to and including 40 hours) for vacation coverage.
Part-Time: Must be available 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, though schedules vary day to day. Minimum 16 hours worked per week.
COMPENSATION: $21/hour
POSITION SUMMARY
The Food Rescue Coordinator is responsible for collecting, inspecting, loading and delivering perishable and nonperishable product from vendors and delivering the food to Lovin’ Spoonfuls beneficiaries. The Food Rescue Coordinator is responsible for maintaining positive relationships with vendors, beneficiaries, and the community as a whole. The Food Rescue Coordinator is the face of our organization and as such must be passionate about and committed to our mission.
Responsibilities
- Collects prepared, perishable and other rescued foods from retail stores, farms, and wholesale partners; informs supervisor of any problems or issues in a timely manner.
- Inspects the product to be donated following food safety guidelines and refuses donations if the product doesn’t meet stated criteria.
- Delivers food to non-profit beneficiaries; informs supervisor of any problems or issues in a timely manner.
- Collects and delivers all product following all state and federal food safety handling guidelines.
- Accurately records all collections and distributions in our inventory system by 4 PM of the same business day. Also records any and all information pertinent to food rescue operations.
- Completes and submits weekly reports in a timely manner.
- Develops and maintains positive relationships with vendors and beneficiaries; maintains positive relationships with all Lovin’ Spoonfuls staff.
- Contacts key staff at vendor/beneficiary locations to ensure smooth pick-up and delivery of donations or to communicate any delays or issues that may arise.
- Meets bi-weekly with the Operations Manager to provide updates and review any issues.
- Participates in all staff meetings.
- Communicates clearly and effectively in all oral and written communications.
- Responds to any/all outreach from management/office staff in a timely manner.
- Demonstrates a working knowledge of customer service. Demonstrates a clear understanding of our vendors and beneficiaries by responding to their needs in a timely manner or informing the Operations Director if they are unable to do so.
- Follows all US Department of Transportation (DOT) and company regulations as they relate to company vehicles and general safety.
- Maintains a clean and orderly vehicle cab and cargo area.
- Practices safe and lawful driving at all times. Follows legal parking procedures as outlined by the organization.
- Collaborates with and supports the Development & Marketing departments as required and expected of the role; this can include special event participation, engagement with donors, photography, and videography.
- Complete tasks and responsibilities not outlined above as directed from a supervisor.
Overall, we expect the weekly time spent on each category of work will look like:
- 75% Food recovery & distribution, loading and unloading food donations, and driving
- 15% Administrative tasks, data entry, and project support
- 5% Internal meetings
- 5% Ongoing partner relationship management
Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise
Job Requirements:
- Effective customer service skills
- Ability to learn computerized data input technology
- Ability and desire to relate to and work with various age, economic, racial and ethnic groups of individuals.
- Possess or ability to obtain current DOT physical card per state and federal regulations
- Acceptable motor vehicle report (MVR) with no accidents in the past 3 years
- Ability to obtain a safe food handling license (ServSafe)
Special abilities required:
- Ability to adapt to varied work requirements
- Ability to work cooperatively with other staff and volunteers
- Tact and diplomacy in dealing with diversity
- Ability to both speak and write English
Education & Experience
Formal education or special training required:
- High School graduate
- Valid Driver’s License with at least 5 years driving experience preferred
- Food Handling experience preferred
- Previous customer service and/or grocery retail experience preferred
Work Environment & Physical Demands
Physical Demands:
- Ability to stand, walk, sit, use hands, reach, climb stairs, stoop, kneel, climb in and out of a dock-high vehicle, talk and hear clearly
- Ability to perform moderate to heavy physical labor (lift or maneuver up to 50 lbs repeatedly and loading and unloading a total of approximately 2,000 lbs to 3,000 lbs on a daily basis)
- Ability to navigate the Boston metro area and/or use a GPS
Work Environment:
This job requires the ability to:
- Operate in an enclosed box truck or commercial van on a daily basis.
- Work outdoors while loading and unloading product. Work indoors while driving or filling out paperwork.
- Be exposed to contaminants such as fuel or exhaust
- Wear protective gloves on a daily basis (discretionary)
- Sometimes being exposed to hot or very cold temperatures while working inside (including refrigerated areas, coolers or freezers) or outside
- Occasionally get into cramped positions to reach work spaces, such as the back of a truck.
- Occasionally being exposed to whole body vibration when driving a truck.
- Sometimes dealing with sounds or noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable.
- Working close to others, especially when unloading trucks and 2-3 days/week enclosed in a box truck or commercial van.
- Handle and sort through produce and other food products that are close to, at, or past expiration, or may be opened
- Use of hand-trucks or two-wheel dollies, and U-boats for moving, loading and unloading product
- Additionally, this role uses standard office equipment such as computers and phones
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
Lovin' Spoonfuls is committed to protecting the health of our team and our community. We require COVID-19 vaccinations and up-to-date booster shots for all employees. Documentation will be required upon hire.
We’re an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer.
At Lovin’ Spoonfuls, we believe all people have value and can bring their own unique experiences to the table. Our work serves to set the table throughout the diverse communities of Massachusetts without discrimination, and we endeavor to mirror that representation in our own organization. Our goal is to create and foster an inclusive workplace where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and where all people are valued.
We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, and Veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
As an organization committed to a culture of diversity and inclusion among staff, we strongly encourage applications from people of color, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, women or non-binary people, and those with lived experience of food insecurity.
About Lovin' Spoonfuls
Lovin’ Spoonfuls is an organization that facilitates the recovery and distribution of healthy, perishable food that would otherwise be discarded. Lovin’ Spoonfuls works efficiently to deliver this food directly to the community organizations and resources where it can have the greatest impact. Lovin’ Spoonfuls is committed to addressing the health, environmental and economic impact that food waste has on our community. Headquartered in Boston, MA, Lovin’ Spoonfuls is a 501c3, non-profit organization.
At Lovin’ Spoonfuls, we are proud of our culture, where we are grounded in our Core Values. We foster open and honest dialogues among staff, and we prioritize opportunities for professional development, team connection, and engagement with the communities we serve.