Warehouse Associate

Description

About Operation Food Search:

Founded in 1981, Operation Food Search is a hunger relief organization that provides food, nutrition education and innovative programs in order to reduce food insecurity and increase equitable access to food. We serve 200,000 people every month through a network of 330 partners in 27 counties in Missouri and Illinois. We use a combination of immediate food assistance and supportive services, while also working on long-term solutions and systemic changes to help solve the problem of hunger. 

Our Mission is to heal hunger with innovative and collaborative solutions that provide food today and help create a hunger-free tomorrow. 

Our Vision is a region where everyone has equitable access to the food they need to lead healthy lives.

Our Goals are to:

• Meet the immediate need for food for children, individuals and families by providing high-quality nutrition through our distribution network.
• Empower long-term skills through nutrition education and by teaching how to shop and prepare healthy food on a budget.
• Champion change through advocacy, innovative programs and by addressing systemic inequities.

For more information about OFS, please visit our website at www.operationfoodsearch.org. 

Position Summary:

The Warehouse Associate plays a critical role in OFS's supply-chain operations by facilitating the movement, storage, and organization of food and non-food products. Under the direction of the Warehouse Manager and in coordination with our Agency team, this position ensures that agency orders are accurately assembled, grant-funded shipments are processed, and general warehouse inventory remains orderly. The Warehouse Associate must be able to work independently following standard operating procedures, as well as collaboratively with teammates to meet daily distribution targets.

Essential Functions:

• Agency Order Fulfillment & Distribution Support 
  • Receive daily agency orders and work closely with the Agency Department to pick, pack, and stage items for designated distribution rooms.
  • Load outbound orders onto trucks or pallet jacks, ensuring accuracy and completeness before departure.
  • Assist in checking orders against packing lists and confirm that all items have been accounted for.
• Receiving & Inventory Movement 
  • Unload incoming shipments at the direction of the Inventory Specialist (IS), verifying quantities and condition of product against packing slips.
  • Transport product from the receiving dock to designated storage areas in the general warehouse, cooler, or freezer.
  • Break down pallets, repack items into storage totes, and update inventory location information as directed.
• Warehouse Organization & Maintenance 
  • Maintain a clean, safe, and organized general warehouse environment, including racking systems, aisles, and staging areas.
  • Regularly inspect cooler and freezer spaces to ensure products are arranged by date (FIFO) and easily accessible.
  • Rotate perishable items based on "first-in, first-out" guidelines and communicate with IS regarding any product approaching expiration.
• Grant-Funded Order Handling 
  • Work with the Agency Department to identify and pull items designated for grant-funded programs.
  • Package and label grant-funded orders according to specified guidelines, ensuring compliance with grant reporting requirements.
  • Stage completed grant orders in the distribution area for pick-up or delivery.
• Equipment Operation & Safety Compliance 
  • Operate material-handling equipment safely (e.g., pallet jacks, hand trucks, forklifts if certified).
  • Adhere strictly to OFS's warehouse safety protocols, including proper lifting techniques, use of PPE, and spill-cleanup procedures.
  • Report any safety hazards, equipment malfunctions, or maintenance needs immediately to the IS.
• Inventory Control & Reporting 
  • Assist with periodic cycle counts and full inventory audits under the supervision of the IS.
  • Document discrepancies or damaged product in daily logs and escalate issues to management.
  • Participate in monthly inventory reconciliation meetings, providing insights into product flow and stock levels.
• Collaboration & Cross-Functional Support 
  • Coordinate with Volunteer Services to support volunteer helpers during peak receiving or distribution events.
  • Assist in training temporary staff or volunteers on basic warehouse procedures (e.g., order picking, labelin