Foodbank Volunteer Coordinator – Crowborough Foodbank

Uckfieldvolunteer; Crowborough; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A local charity organization is seeking an Operations Manager for the Crowborough Foodbank. The ideal candidate will oversee daily operations, manage volunteers, and ensure compliance with the Trussell Trust guidelines. Strong project management and communication skills are essential, along with a passion for tackling poverty. The role requires 15-20 hours per week, with flexible working from home and occasional on-site visits. A full clean driver's license is also required.

Qualifications

• Experience managing people.
• Experience in volunteer organizations.
• Understanding of engagement with diverse groups.

Responsibilities

• Oversee foodbank operations for efficiency.
• Report to trustees bi-annually.
• Manage volunteer training and support.
• Monitor food supplies and health & safety compliance.
• Engage with stakeholders and manage public relations.

Skills

Project management

Oral communication

Data interpretation

Empathy

Job description

Crowborough Foodbank works together as a partner of the Trussell Trust to ensure no one in the UK needs a food bank to survive. We provide emergency food and practical support to people in their hardest moments, and work with partners and local communities to ensure everyone gets the right help long before they need a food bank.

About this opportunity

Job description

To oversee the operation of Crowborough East Sussex foodbank, with concern for its operational efficiency and standards in accordance with The Trussell Trust franchise model. In partnership with the steering group: guide the development of the foodbank project, including its material resources, financial assets, reputation, partnerships and volunteer body.

Specific responsibilities

• Reporting to Trustees:
  • Report to the charity’s trustees bi‑annually or at such special meetings as the trustees may call.
  • Advise the trustees of exceptional events, such as complaints, major press contacts, accidents, external evaluations or risk to reputation.
• Strategic development:
  • Call meetings of the steering group four times a year, providing a report in advance and agenda.
  • Assist Trustees in development and Implementation of Strategic Plan.
• Trussell Trust compliance:
  • Comply with the terms of the foodbank franchise, including standard operating procedures.
• Communications:
  • Maintain a foodbank phone and email account.
  • Be the first point of contact for enquiries, responding on behalf of the foodbank with assistance from the (volunteer) administration assistant.
  • Maintain contact with The Trussell Trust both regionally and nationally.
  • Maintain contact with a view to working in partnership local networks including Family to Family and The Crowborough Food Pantry.
• Client Contact:
  • Undertake regular updates with the client contact team on client issues and client safeguarding issues. Maintain awareness of client contact team support requirements.
• Foodbank warehouse & volunteers:
  • Visit the foodbank warehouse on a regular basis.
  • Liaise with foodbank warehouse supervisors to monitor operational standards.
  • Volunteer Management – ensure all volunteers receive full training for their respective area of work.
• Food store:
  • Visit the warehouse on a regular basis.
  • Liaise with the warehouse manager to monitor operational efficiency.
  • Support the warehouse manager to monitor Health and Safety, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and good practice.
• Food supplies:
  • Liaise with the warehouse manager to monitor stocks levels, issuing appeals as necessary.
  • Liaise and support the Delivery Team manager to obtain sufficient volunteer deliverers each week.
• Data:
  • Be familiar with the on-line data system, monitoring the key data indicators.
  li>Support data volunteers to ensure regular and accurate data of stock and vouchers.
• Extract data for reports to the steering group or trustees.

Agencies:

• Communicate with referral agencies in response to queries or issues.

Public relations:

• Prepare and issue newsletters to maintain engagement of supporters and partners.
• Issue press releases as appropriate, and respond to local press enquiries.

Finance:

• Comply with the foodbank’s finance policy.
• Liaise with the steering group to identify resources for central purchase.
• Provide the volunteer treasurer with details of payments and receipts, and supporting documents, to enable proper accounting.

Grants:

• Work with the grants lead on grant applications, spend and grand body updates.

Quality assurance:

• Monitor the views of stakeholders.
• Undertake the annual Quality Assurance visit from The Trussell Trust.

Person specification

• Experience:
  • Experience managing people.
  • Experience working or volunteering in an organisation that deploys volunteers.
  • A sound understanding of, and experience of engagement with Groups of all Faiths or non.
• Key skills:
  • Ability to manage and monitor the development of a project.
  • Good oral communication.
  • Confident user of email, document and spreadsheet applications, and internet.
  • Ability to work independently and unsupervised.
  • Numerate and comfortable interpreting statistical data.
  • Empathy and ability to work with people from disadvantaged, marginalised, or socially excluded backgrounds.
• Personal attributes:
  • Honesty and integrity.
  • Passionate about tackling poverty.

We ask that you are able to commit to 15-20 hours per week. Working from home with occasional on-site visits to the warehouse at Barnsgate Manor in Heron’s Ghyll, just outside of Crowborough.

Any applicants will require a full clean drivers license.

For more information

For more information please either come in and see us at Wealden Volunteering, or call us on 01825 760019, or email us at [e-mail]