Position: Warehouse Manager

Report to: Director of Warehouse and Logistics

Schedule: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: The Salem Pantry Warehouse, 220 Highland Avenue, Salem, MA 01970

Salary: $61,000 – $64,000

Benefits: Competitive benefits including: healthcare reimbursement, 401(k) plan with organizational match, paid time off (PTO).

The Salem Pantry is seeking a Warehouse Manager to oversee the day-to-day operation of our warehouse and distribution systems, including inventory management, food acquisition activities, warehouse personnel, partner agency fulfillment, equipment operation, food safety compliance, and facility organization. This role plays an important part in advancing our mission by ensuring food moves efficiently, safely, and accurately throughout our direct service programs and partner agency network.

This role is ideal for an experienced operations leader who can balance efficiency with The Salem Pantry’s commitment to dignity, accessibility, and community partnership. The manager thrives on leading people, solving problems, building systems, and maintaining a warehouse culture that values both excellence and service.

Responsibilities:

Warehouse Operations

• Oversee daily warehouse activities, including receiving, storage, inventory control, order fulfillment, and distribution.
• Maintain organized and efficient dry, refrigerated, and frozen storage areas.
• Ensure warehouse cleanliness, safety, and compliance with food safety standards.
• Coordinate loading and unloading of deliveries, pickups, and partner agency orders.
• Monitor warehouse capacity and storage utilization.

Inventory Management

• Manage inventory levels across dry, refrigerated, and frozen product categories.
• Monitor stock rotation and product dating using FIFO practices.
• Identify inventory shortages, surpluses, and distribution trends.
• Generate and review inventory reports.
• Execute routine food ordering and replenishment activities within established purchasing authority.

Staff and Volunteer Supervision

• Supervise warehouse staff and volunteers.
• Assist with hiring, onboarding, scheduling, training, and performance management.
• Maintain a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and service.

Partner Agency Support

• Coordinate partner agency pickups and warehouse access.
• Ensure partner orders are accurate, complete, and prepared on schedule.
• Support Hub operations serving regional food pantry partners.

Equipment and Facility Management

• Oversee safe operation of pallet jacks, forklifts, refrigeration systems, dock equipment, and warehouse infrastructure.
• Coordinate routine maintenance and service needs.
• Maintain designated charging areas and equipment storage locations.

Continuous Improvement and Systems Development

• Identify opportunities to improve warehouse efficiency, inventory management, food safety, and distribution processes.
• Develop and document standard operating procedures.
• Participate in implementation of new warehouse systems, equipment, and facility improvements.
• Provide recommendations regarding staffing, workflow design, storage utilization, and operational scalability.
• Assist the Director of Warehouse and Logistics in evaluating new programs, partnerships, and distribution models.

Organizational Engagement

• Attend regular all team meetings and actively contribute to program planning and review discussions.
• Collaborate with staff across departments to support organizational goals and initiatives.
• Assist with additional tasks or organizational needs when requested.

Work Environment

The employee will primarily work out of The Salem Pantry Warehouse, overseeing daily operations across dry, refrigerated, and frozen storage areas. This role requires standing, walking, and lifting, along with the ability to safely operate pallet jacks, forklifts, and other warehouse equipment. Some evening or weekend availability may be needed to support deliveries, partner pickups, and volunteer groups.

Qualifications:

We are seeking an individual who is passionate about The Salem Pantry’s mission and committed to advancing equitable access to healthy food through all aspects of their work, from daily interactions to program operations and community engagement.

Knowledge and Previous Experience

Required

• Two years of experience in warehouse, logistics, or distribution management, ideally within food banking, nonprofit, or supply chain operations.
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff and coordinating volunteer teams.
• Experience with inventory management systems and FIFO stock rotation practices.

Preferred

• Forklift certification or willingness to obtain one.
• Food safety certification (e.g., ServSafe) or willingness to obtain one.
• Experience working within a hub-and-spoke distribution model or with partner agency networks.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to lead people, solve problems, and build effective systems.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and energy for engaging with staff, volunteers, and partners.
• Ability to lift 50+ pounds and safely operate warehouse equipment.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to set priorities and manage multiple workflows.
• Ability to balance operational efficiency with The Salem Pantry’s commitment to dignity, accessibility, and community partnership.
• Commitment to organizational culture of trust, learning, and humanity.