Sacred Heart Community Service Careers

Food Pantry & Clothes Closet

Operations & Volunteer Manager

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT:

Sacred Heart Community Service in San José, CA, is seeking a dynamic and resilient full-time Food Pantry & Clothes Closet Operations & Volunteer Manager to lead daily distribution and volunteer engagement for our food pantry and no-cost clothes closet. This warehouse-based role supports one of the largest food distribution programs in the Bay Area, serving more than 25,000 community members annually.

We are looking for a hands-on, people-centered leader who thrives in fast-paced service environments and believes that strong operations are essential to delivering services with dignity, access, and respect. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys leading staff and volunteers, building effective systems, and ensuring a welcoming, equitable experience for every community member.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Food Pantry & Clothes Closet Operations & Volunteer Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of food pantry, clothes closet, and donation station operations, including warehouse logistics, inventory flow, volunteer coordination, and member-facing service delivery. This role provides direct supervision, training, and support to staff and volunteers and is accountable for ensuring safe, efficient, and dignified service in a high-volume, warehouse-based environment.

The position leads program planning, budgeting, data tracking, and performance reporting; oversees operational policies, procedures, and safety standards; and supports crisis intervention and emergency response efforts as needed. The Manager serves as a key liaison with volunteers, partners, and internal teams, contributes to organization-wide initiatives and events, and advances SHCS’s mission to ensure every child and adult is free from poverty through effective, people-centered operations grounded in dignity, compassion, and respect.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Management (65-75%)

●        Provides structure, support, supervision, training, evaluation, and professional development for the team of food pantry, clothes closet, and donation station staff.

●        Accountable for the development, tracking, reporting, and analysis of program goals, outcomes, and team performance metrics in alignment with the SHCS Strategic Plan.

●        Ensures the compassionate, fair, and equitable provision of services to members, through training, coaching, and feedback to staff, interns, and volunteers.

●        Leads the recruitment and hiring of program staff and interns.

●        Supports program teams by interceding in difficult situations, using non-violent crisis intervention skills and emergency response protocols, and providing coaching, debriefing, and documentation of incidents as necessary.

●        Leads supply chain processes including ordering, receiving, tracking/reporting, processing, and storage of food and clothing donations.

●        Provides support and training in the development of leadership among members through program involvement, such as co-leading programs.

●        Supports the recruitment, development, training and support for; a) volunteers, and b) members of the program advisory committee(s).

●        Responsible for direct support to the programs, including program opening, closing, or weekend coverage as needed.

●        Supports the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of program policies and procedures, including systems, protocols, standards, and training.

●        Ensures a safe working environment through regular training, updates, and equipment procurement and repairs.

●        Maintains operational continuity of volunteer management, overseeing day-to-day activities including scheduling, tracking hours, and managing a volunteer database.

●        Organizes and facilitates programming team meetings and retreats.

Collaboration (10-15%)

●        Collaborates with internal teams and external partners to support program operations, volunteer engagement, and service delivery.

●        Ensures regular communication and connection with other SHCS programs, initiatives, and campaigns to align volunteer engagement, service delivery and organizational priorities.

●        Works closely with the Community Engagement team to design and implement a consistent, high-quality volunteer experience that supports volunteer retention, engagement, and alignment with the organization’s mission.

●        Designs and leads program engagement projects for specific groups and partner organizations in coordination with the Community Engagement team.

Leadership (10-15%)

●        Provides operational leadership and support for organization-wide programs, events, training, and outreach efforts, such as the holiday program, pack-a-back, and solidarity summit.

●        Represents SHCS in the community through outreach to schools, faith communities, businesses, and community groups.

●        Serves as a member of the Emergency Response Team and serves as on-site manager as needed.

●        Participates in the Manager Round Table.

●        Performs other duties as assigned.

Administrative (5-10%)

●        Analyzes and reports on program objectives, outputs, and outcomes to support contract compliance, internal accountability, and fund development efforts.

●        Develops and maintains monthly work plans to achieve desired program outcomes.

●        Assists in grant administration, compliance, and reporting.

●        Maintains confidentiality of member, staff, volunteer, and organizational information in accordance with SHCS policies and applicable regulations.

●        Develops, tracks, and manages program budgets in coordination with Finance, and ensures regular communication with the program team regarding budget status and resource availability.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

●        Strong commitment to SHCS’s vision of a community where every child and adult is free from poverty.

●        Bachelor’s degree or at least 5 years of experience in social services, public health, or a related field.

●        2–3 years of program management or supervisory experience.

●        Bilingual and biliterate in English and Spanish.

●        Ability to work effectively with diverse people, communities, and cultures, with an understanding of culturally competent and anti-racist practices.

●        Demonstrated experience in project management, including planning, training, and tracking systems.

●        Experience in volunteer management.

●        Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.

●        Ability to multitask, respond quickly, remain composed, and stay highly organized in unexpected situations.

●        Flexible schedule availability, including some weekends and evenings.

●        Willingness to step in and support program operations as needed.

●        Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 50 lbs.

●        Ability to stand and walk for prolonged periods and use a computer for 2–4 hours per day.

●        Must successfully pass a DMV and criminal background check.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

●        Proficiency with databases (such as Salesforce), Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and Google Workspace.

●        Certified in forklift operation and warehouse equipment use.

●        OSHA safety training certification.

●        Current CPR and First Aid certification.

●        Experience in food distribution, warehouse management, or supply chain operations.

●        Familiarity with non-profit program management and working with diverse volunteers.

●        Knowledge of food safety standards and regulations.

●        Experience coordinating with funders, donors, or partner organizations.

●        Background in training and coaching volunteers or staff in a fast-paced service environment.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:

The position is full-time and exempt, and reports to the Essential Services Director.

COMPENSATION:

Starting Salary is $82,000 per year. Excellent benefits include 100% employer-paid medical insurance for employees and majority paid medical insurance for qualified dependents, dental insurance, vision insurance, 12 paid holidays, 10 paid sick days per year, paid vacation starting at 10 days per year, additional wellness benefits, basic life and long-term disability insurance, professional development and more.

Sacred Heart Community Service is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an Affirmative Action Employer. SHCS is committed to building a team of people of diverse ethnic, cultural, and experiential backgrounds. We especially encourage members of historically underrepresented and marginalized communities, people of color, women, people living with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ+ people to apply. It is the policy of Sacred Heart Community Service to prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, medical condition or genetic information, veteran status, national origin, disability, marital or other protected status. SHCS will conform to the spirit, as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.