Job Title Description: Temporary Inventory Associate 2 - Temporary Position

Classification: Exempt

Reports To: Inventory Manager

Summary/Objective

Under the supervision of the Inventory Manager, the Inventory Associate 2 role is responsible for assisting the daily inventory/warehouse activities for the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Primary programmatic activities for the position include the following:

• Assisting the Inventory Manager in executing Daily Cycle Counts.
• Creating transfer orders for our Branch Centers and for Agency Drops.
• Executing assigned CERES activities/transactions.
• Maintaining assigned records and reports.
• Assisting in the investigation and audit of Inventory errors.
• Assisting in general Inventory and Warehouse tasks.

 

To accomplish this work, the Inventory Associate 2 role and the Inventory Manager work together to actively prioritize tasks in a way that best ensures operational success. In addition, this role will work to cross train in other activities within the Inventory Department to assist fellow associates and provide coverage/redundancy in the event of an absence.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for executing Daily Cycle Counts in conjunction with, and as assigned by the Inventory Manager.
• Responsible for creating transfer orders from the Geneva location to Branch Centers.
• Collaborates with Agency Team Members to create Agency Drop transfers.
• Assists the Inventory Manager in conducting various Item Journal Adjustments in CERES (item re-class, trash disposition, kitting).
• Assists in creating and invoicing special orders for NIFB programs (ex. Pop-Ups).
• Investigates and logs Concern Form Sheets, reporting back to the Inventory Manager.
• Processes Mobile Pantry and Agency Order returns in CERES and put-away in the Warehouse.
• Acts as secondary point of contact for CERES Inventory issue investigation and resolution
• Cross-Trained in Inventory Report generation (Availability, Trash, R&D).
• Cross-Trained in Donation/Purchase Receipt and item card creation to provide assistance for the Inventory Administrative Assistant and acts as primary coverage for this role in the event of absence.
• Cross-Trained in Daily Order Delivery Schedule and Order Pick Document creation to act as tertiary coverage in the event of absence.
• May assist in Warehouse Order Picking Activities as needed.
• Upholds all Northern Illinois Food Bank safety policies and procedures.
• Ensures use of all inventory food items per FIFO procedures.
• Ensures compliance with all government standards for food products, include storage, disposal and inventory.
• Ensures compliance with all recall and food safety standards in all areas of food sorting operations.
• Works with the Inventory Manager to develop best practices, policies, and procedures for Inventory and Warehouse operations.
• Assists in performing scheduled Inventory counts and double checks for Production and Programs to ensure adjustment accuracy.
• Maintains cleanliness of warehouse equipment and work area in compliance with all health codes and standards applicable to food acquisition, storage and distribution, including AIB processes and procedures.
• Recycles cardboard, plastic, wood, shrink wrap and paper per Northern Illinois Food Bank standards. 
• Responsible for assigned Inventory CERES transactions daily as needed, including but not limited to pallet tags, item re-class, adjustments, item transfers, trash adjustments and month end inventory transactions.
• Completes daily tasks in compliance with Northern Illinois Food Bank Food Safety and Handling Procedures.
• Participates in department and organizational meetings as required.
• Follows guidelines provided in the Operations Procedure Manual.
• Organizes, plans, and prioritizes work to ensure the timely and efficient completion of all required tasks and work assignments.
• Responsible for maintaining accurate records and generating reports to document and measure key aspects of the position’s job responsibilities and assists with providing data and metrics information to facilitate the evaluation of operational activities of the food bank.
• Works collaboratively with all food bank teams to support Northern Illinois Food Bank’s Strategic Goals and Initiatives.
• Upholds food safety procedures and supports product traceability and recalls as needed and provides support to Operations senior leadership in maintaining all AIB Food Safety Standards and recordkeeping to ensure that Operations is 100% AIB audit ready at all times.

 

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Education, Skills, and Experience

• Positive outlook understanding your attitude as a peer is contagious
• The ideal candidate will possess a High School degree or acceptable equivalent industry experience. Some college or college degree preferred.
• Self-starter and team player with the ability to work independently and effectively.
• Must possess a good understanding of basic mathematical principles.
• Possess the ability to learn inventory systems and analyze data sets.
• Problem solving and creative thinking ability is critical to this role.
• Able to work effectively with minimal supervision and in a team environment.
• Excellent customer service, organization, planning, and communication skills.
• Possess a high level of interpersonal skills to interact professionally with the public and work effectively with others.
• Experience in general warehouse duties and operation of warehouse equipment, forklift and electric pallet jack required.
• Able to comfortably lift and move up to 50 pounds and stand for long period of times.
• Ability to become forklift and electric pallet jack certified within 60 days.
• Ability to pass food safety certification requirements within first 60 days.
• Strong computer skills; proficient in Microsoft Suite of programs (primarily Excel) and Internet based communications.
• Empathy and support for the economically disadvantaged.
• For insurance purposes, must be at least 18 years of age, possess a current and valid Illinois Driver License, and hold a safe and clean driving record.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Work Environment

This job operates in both an office and a warehouse environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines as well as warehouse equipment such as forklifts, Reach-trucks, Electric and Manual pallet movers.

• Subject to both environmental conditions; activities occur inside and outside.
• Subject to extreme cold; temperatures typically below 32 for periods of more than one hour.
• Subject to extreme heat; temperatures above 100 for periods of more than one hour.
• Subject to noise; there is sufficient noise to cause the need to shout in order to be heard above ambient noise level.
• Subject to hazards; includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on high places and exposure to high heat.
• Required to function in narrow aisles.

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a forklift, as well as a lot of standing, walking, bending and stooping. This is a physical job. Capable of consistently lifting 50 pounds.

• Climbing - ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized.
• Balancing - maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling and walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces.
• Stooping - bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist.
• Crouching - bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Reaching - extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Standing - particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Walking - moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work location to another.
• Pushing - using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
• Pulling - using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Lifting - raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position.
• Talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing - perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
This is a Temporary full-time position. Days and hours of work are a variation of Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Some flexibility in hours is allowed, but the employee must be available during the "core" work hours of 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and must work 40 hours each week to maintain full-time status.

Position Location

This position is based out of our West Suburban Center (Geneva) Location, but may be asked to venture out to other NIFB locations.

Travel

Minimal travel within our 13 county service area required.

AAP/EEO Statement

Northern Illinois Food Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Please apply via the link below:
https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=6ac1a532-45ab-4da8-a5e0-43f6354b15ee