Volunteer Supervisor

The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is currently hiring for a full time, regular and benefited, Volunteer Supervisor at our Miramar and Vista location.

ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK

Established in 1977, the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is a critical component to the welfare of San Diego County, providing nutritious food to people in need, advocating for the hungry and educating the public about hunger-related issues. For more information about the organization, please visit

Our Mission:

The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and our North County Food Bank Chapter provide nutritious food to people in need, advocate for the hungry, and educate the public about hunger-related issues.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The San Diego Food Bank feeds approximately 400,000 people every month in partnership with 450 nonprofit community partners.
• We are the fourth largest independent food bank in the country.
• We distributed 52 million pounds of food in fiscal year 2024-2025; almost 45% of that food being fresh produce.
• We have a 99% rating on Charity Navigator.

We are committed to innovation and sustainability to reduce our impact on the environment. We have 1,400 solar panels, we are LEED v4 Gold Certified, we have a 3,600 sq. ft composting and recycling center that houses our recycling and composting machine, and received the 2020 Business Waste Reduction & Recycling award.

POSITION PURPOSE

The Volunteer Supervisor provides on-site leadership for afternoon and evening volunteer operations across the San Diego Food Bank’s Miramar and North County (Vista) facilities, Tuesday through Saturday.
Reporting to the Volunteer Manager, this position supervises a team of Volunteer Project Coordinators and ensures that volunteer projects are safe, efficient, and mission aligned. The Volunteer Supervisor serves as the primary point of contact for late-day and weekend volunteer shifts, supports consistent practices across both locations, provides coaching and feedback to staff, and helps ensure a positive, engaging experience for all volunteers and visiting groups.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this position. All duties are expected to be performed in accordance with existing company policy and procedure. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Operations & Shift Leadership

• Provide on-site leadership during afternoon/evening and Saturday volunteer shifts at both Miramar and North County, ensuring projects start and end on time and meet daily production goals.
• Ensure Volunteer Project Coordinators have clear plans, materials, and staffing for each shift, including commodities, supplies, and workstation layouts.
• Monitor workflow, adjust staffing between projects, and help troubleshoot issues that arise during shifts (e.g., inventory shortages, equipment issues, late arrivals, cancellations).
• Coordinate closely with Warehouse, Inventory, and Transportation teams to confirm availability of product for upcoming shifts and to resolve day-of changes or constraints.
• Ensure end-of-shift wrap-up is completed, including clean-up, equipment storage, and proper documentation of project outputs.

Volunteer Experience & Engagement

• Model and reinforce a warm, welcoming, and mission-centered environment for all volunteers, including individuals, families, school groups, and corporate partners.
• Support Volunteer Project Coordinators in delivering clear project instructions, safety talks, and mission messaging tailored to the audience.
• Address volunteer questions, concerns, or behavioral issues that require a higher-level response; escalate serious issues to the Volunteer Manager as needed.
• Monitor volunteer feedback (e.g., surveys, comments) from afternoon/evening shifts and identify opportunities to improve the volunteer experience.
• Partner with the Volunteer Manager and Volunteer Engagement Supervisor to support high-priority groups and events (e.g., large corporate groups, sponsored shifts).

Staff Supervision & Development

• Directly supervise 4 Volunteer Project Coordinators, providing day-to-day guidance, coaching, and support.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, and training of Volunteer Project Coordinators in collaboration with the Volunteer Manager.
• Conduct regular check-ins with direct reports to review performance, goals, and development needs.
• Provide real-time coaching and feedback on volunteer engagement, safety practices, time management, and communication.
• Help ensure appropriate staffing and coverage levels for all afternoon/evening and Saturday shifts at both locations; assist in arranging coverage for planned and unplanned absences.

Safety, Quality, & Compliance

• Ensure all volunteer projects follow food safety, warehouse safety, and quality control procedures.
• Oversee consistent implementation of safety briefings and safe equipment operation during assigned shifts.
• Monitor quality of packed product (weights, labeling, packaging, and cleanliness) and provide corrective guidance to staff and volunteers as needed.
• Report safety concerns, incidents, and near misses promptly and participate in follow-up and corrective action as assigned.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free volunteer workspace, including proper handling and disposal of damaged product and waste.

Cross-Site Coordination & Communication

• Work across both Miramar and North County to support consistent volunteer practices, signage, messaging, and project set-up.
• Provide regular feedback to the Volunteer Manager on operational trends, recurring issues, and opportunities for improvement related to afternoon/evening and weekend operations.
• Collaborate with Programs, Events, and other departments to support volunteer needs beyond the warehouse (e.g., client-choice pantry, special events, distributions) as assigned.
• Support tracking of volunteer hours, group information, and other key data, working with the Volunteer Manager and Engagement Specialist to ensure data accuracy in Volunteer Hub and related systems.
• Participate in team meetings, trainings, and planning sessions and serve as a key voice for the needs of late-day and weekend operations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate is a hands-on, people-centered leader who thrives in a fast-paced warehouse environment and enjoys working afternoons, evenings, and weekends. They are comfortable supervising staff, engaging with diverse volunteer groups, and juggling multiple projects and priorities across two sites. They bring strong communication and customer service skills, are highly organized, and are committed to safety and quality. They are energized by coaching others, solving problems on the fly, and helping volunteers understand the impact of their work in ending hunger in San Diego County.

EDUCATION, TRAINING and EXPERIENCE

A typical way of obtaining the necessary education, training, and experience for this position includes:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• At least 3 years of experience in volunteer coordination, warehouse operations, or related fields.
• At least 1–2 years in a lead, trainer, or supervisory capacity (can include informal lead roles or shift leadership).

Preferred:

• Experience in a nonprofit or human services setting.
• Experience in a food production or warehouse environment.
• Experience supervising staff or leading large volunteer groups.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES
Knowledge of:

• Volunteer management and engagement best practices.
• Warehouse operations and food safety/handling standards.
• Group facilitation and customer service techniques.
• Basic equipment safety practices (e.g., pallet jacks, forklifts).
• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, Word).
• Volunteer management software (e.g., Volunteer Hub) – preferred.

Ability to:

• Provide excellent customer service and engaging communication to large and small groups.
• Lead, coach, and support staff working across multiple simultaneous projects and locations.
• Organize time and resources effectively in a fast-paced environment with shifting needs.
• Build positive relationships with volunteers, staff, and community partners.
• Enforce and model safety and food quality standards consistently.
• Operate or learn to operate standard warehouse equipment, including pallet jacks and forklifts.
• Travel regularly between Miramar and North County locations as scheduled.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Valid California Driver’s License.
• Forklift certification (or ability to obtain certification upon hire).
• Bilingual in Spanish a plus.

COMPENSATION

This is a full-time, non-exempt/hourly/benefited position.

• A market-level competitive salary is between $29.00 - $32.00 per hour based on experience.
• The compensation package includes a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package including: 403(b) plan with 200% employer matching; excellent health care coverage with free employee medical, dental and vision plans; company paid term life insurance; and a generous accrual of paid vacation and sick leave.

WORK SCHEDULE

• Typical schedule is Tuesday–Friday, 12:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m., and Saturday, 8:00 a.m.– 4:30 p.m., with primary coverage during afternoon and evening shifts based on operational needs.
• Regular on-site presence is required at both Miramar and North County locations. The standard weekly allocation is three days in Vista and two days in Miramar, though assignments may change based on coverage needs as determined by the Volunteer Manager.
• Occasional overtime or adjusted hours may be required to support special events, volunteer groups, or operational needs.

HOW TO APPLY

• Interested and qualified candidates should apply below.
• Submissions missing a resume will not be considered for the position.
• Background check and drug test are required for the position before employment starts.