Airdrie Foodbank was established in 2014, under Calderbank Parish Church of Scotland and in partnership with the Trussell Trust with the aim of reducing the effects of food poverty in the Airdrie area by providing emergency food parcels to those in the community most in need.

We are now embarking upon the Trussell Trust Pathfinder Programme and now require an Operations Co-ordinator to help support our work.

Main purpose of job

The Operations Co-ordinator will be responsible for all day-to-day operations within the Foodbank, working closely with our committed volunteer team and under direction of the Development Officer to ensure provision of emergency food parcels to those in need in challenging times through our crisis food service.

The role holder will be responsible for managing donations of food, stocks, and for monitoring referrals to the Foodbank, and supporting collation of data on foodbank referrals and stocks distributed for the Trussell Trust. The safety and wellbeing of our clients, volunteers and staff is a priority and as such the role holder will play a key role in ensuring we are fully compliant and able to fulfil our obligations under Food Standards legislation and with regard to workplace health and safety.

The operations co-ordinator must maintain good working relations, not only with our referral agents and partners but also with our volunteers. The core values of the food bank must always be observed and promoted to ensure we offer the best possible support to those in crisis.

A full Job Description is available for download below.

Airdrie Foodbank is run by Calderbank Parish Church of Scotland and its volunteers, in association with the Trussell Trust. We exist to provide a lifeline to hungry people in our community. Our volunteers provide food, a listening ear, and signposting to help clients tackle the root causes of their food poverty. We are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

This is an exciting developmental role, working in partnership with the Trussell Trust in the implementation of Pathfinder objectives and in conjunction with North Lanarkshire Council to implement a successful Single Referral Gateway model to ultimately end the

need for foodbank use.

You will be responsible for the development and implementation of agreed Pathfinder objectives in the areas of improved local referral pathways; financial inclusion; participation of people with lived experience in shaping services; and campaign and influencing to end the need for food banks at a local and national level.

You will have responsibility for the day to day running of the foodbank from the warehouse to the distribution of emergency food. Plus, managing the Operations Co-ordinator and supporting our valued volunteers.

It is essential that you have experience of project management and development as well as managing staff. You must be passionate about ending food poverty and knowledge of the Third Sector and the partners that work alongside the foodbank would be desirable.

Airdrie Foodbank was established in 2014, under Calderbank Parish Church of Scotland and in partnership with the Trussell Trust with the aim of reducing the effects of food poverty in the Airdrie area by providing emergency food parcels to those in the community most in need.

We are now embarking upon the Trussell Trust Pathfinder Programme and now require an Operations Co-ordinator to help support our work.

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Operations Co-ordinator will be responsible for all day-to-day operations within the Foodbank, working closely with our committed volunteer team and under direction of the Development Officer to ensure provision of emergency food parcels to those in need in challenging times through our crisis food service.

The role holder will be responsible for managing donations of food, stocks, and for monitoring referrals to the Foodbank, and supporting collation of data on foodbank referrals and stocks distributed for the Trussell Trust. The safety and wellbeing of our clients, volunteers and staff is a priority and as such the role holder will play a key role in ensuring we are fully compliant and able to fulfil our obligations under Food Standards legislation and with regard to workplace health and safety.

The operations co-ordinator must maintain good working relations, not only with our referral agents and partners but also with our volunteers. The core values of the food bank must always be observed and promoted to ensure we offer the best possible support to those in crisis.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(a) Volunteers and Communications

• Under the guidance and support of the Development Officer and Project Manager, recruit and train volunteers to undertake a variety of tasks within and out with the warehouse
• Responsibility for in house communications including updating of the notice boards and ensuring volunteers are well informed on policy.
• Coordinate a programme of ‘reward and celebrate’ for volunteers including social events and volunteer meetings

(b) Warehouse operations-

• Co-ordination of the crisis food parcel delivery and distribution service
• Bringing to the attention of the Development Officer any concerns regarding the day to day operations of the warehouse and be proactive in response to addressing problems or delivering improvements
• Tracking and recording of all food donations, stock management including monitoring stock levels and responding proactively to address stock shortfalls
• Ensure all warehousing processes and procedures are followed as per the Trussell Trust foodbank operating manual and food bank policies and procedures
• Arrange rotas of volunteers for all tasks including sorting and packing and collections from all permanent collection points
• Under direction of the Development Officer, ensure maintenance of the premises, its contents and security
• Co-ordinating food donations storage including annual and special collections

(c) Health and Safety

• Ensure warehouse maintenance to allow for the safe and hygienic storage of all donations and perishable foods
• Under the guidance of the Project Manager ensure the food bank meets all legal requirements including, basic food hygiene, manual handling and lifting, first aid and fire procedures; be compliant with safeguarding policy at all times
• Ensure compliance with all health and safety statutory requirements in the warehouse and across operations

(d) Data Management

• Responsibility for all referrals and stock donations data inputting and report to the Trussell Trust and Development officer as required
• Coordinate an annual stocktake and reconciliation to verify the accuracy of data recording
• Responsibility for the volunteer database
• Alongside the Project Manager and Development officer, ensure all digital and physical paperwork is retained and stored, or deleted/shredded, in the correct manner and in compliance with GDPR

(e) Partnership working

• Coordinate up to three annual food collections in partnership with Tesco including arranging volunteers and liaising with Tesco staff and community champions
• If required by the Development Officer, attend community events and meetings to promote the work of the foodbank
• Build relationships with food donators and assist in developing additional sources of food donations

(f) Other Duties

• Support the management of cash donations
• Financial tracking of all spends and reporting these to the Project Manager and Development Officer.
• Ensure compliance with the food bank expenditure policy
• Support other staff/volunteers as required, especially with the delivery of crisis service at busy times or when cover needed for annual leave

Requirements:

• Experience of project management and development.
• Experience of line managing volunteers
• Experience of working as part of a team.
• Preferable that the candidate has experience of working or volunteering within third sector organisations.
• Be willing to undertake a Scottish Disclosure check.

Key Skills:

• Good oral and written communication
• Excellent Analytical skills
• Basic IT skills (MS Office)
• Ability to work independently and unsupervised but also as part of a team

Personal attributes:

• Honesty and integrity
• Passionate about tackling poverty
• Understanding of working with a wide range of organisations including the voluntary sector