Community Food Distribution & Transportation Associate

Title: Community Food Distribution & Transportation Associate
Department: Food Security
Reports To: Transportation & Logistics Supervisor

Organizational Overview

Since 1975 The Mustard Seed Street Church has been essential in fighting hunger and restoring faith to our community in Greater Victoria. Our operations are nearly 100 percent community funded and include Vancouver Island's largest and most accessible Food Bank; daily meals, coffee, and snacks; Hospitality programs; and a Food Security Distribution Centre. We offer church services and community building faith-based programming, as well as pastoral care for those seeking a place to belong and grow spiritually. Through these core programs we assist over 5,000 people each month with the help of more than 50 daily volunteers and many generous financial supporters!

Position Overview

The Community Food Distribution & Transportation Associate is a vital member of the Food Security Team, responsible for supporting the safe, efficient collection, processing, organization, and redistribution of rescued food through The Food Security Distribution Centre. This hybrid role plays a key part in ensuring product flows smoothly from our grocery partners and donors to various distribution streams, including Food Share Network agencies, The MSSC Market, meal programs at our Queens location, and community events and outreach initiatives. The Community Food Distribution & Transportation Associate must demonstrate excellent organization, communication, and interpersonal skills as they interact with grocery partners, donors, members of the public, staff, and volunteers across multiple locations and departments. Working under the direction of the Food Security Manager and Transportation & Logistics Supervisor, this position is responsible for safe, efficient support for the daily warehouse operations as well as the completion of daily routes. Successful associates have the ability to follow established procedures, communicate effectively, and contribute to a positive and collaborative work environment.

Key Responsibilities

Warehouse Operations Support

• Receive, sort, and process rescued food according to organizational food safety standards and distribution priorities.
• Assess incoming donations for quality and determine the appropriate distribution stream.
• Build accurate daily orders for partner agencies while ensuring equitable distribution of available product.
• Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, scales, and other warehouse equipment safely (if applicable)
• Organize inventory to maximize accessibility, food rotation, and workflow.
• Label, stage, and prepare outgoing orders for pickup and delivery.
• Maintain accuracy using scales and inventory systems.
• Monitor cooler, freezer, and dry storage areas to ensure food is stored safely.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe warehouse including basic warehouse cleaning of interior and exterior of building, recycling and waste management.
• Assist with unloading food rescue vehicles during high-volume periods.
• Support volunteers and students working in the warehouse.
• Collaborate with the Market, Kitchen, and Transportation teams to meet changing operational priorities.
• Participate in meetings, training, evaluations.

Other duties as required.

Transportation & Food Rescue Support

• Safely operate Mustard Seed vehicles for scheduled food rescue routes and deliveries.
• Complete pre- and post-trip inspections and required documentation.
• Load, secure, transport, and unload product safely.
• Represent The Mustard Seed professionally with donors and partner agencies.
• Report vehicle maintenance concerns and route issues promptly.
• Assist with special deliveries, events, and transportation requests as required.

Key Competencies

• Strong organizational skills
• Safety-focused
• Adaptable and able to prioritize
• Excellent communication
• Problem-solving
• Works independently and collaboratively
• Strong work ethic
• Physical ability to stand, walk and lift up to 50 lbs occasionally

Qualifications

• Current BC Driver's License with acceptable driver's abstract.
• Forklift and pallet jack certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Warehouse experience preferred.
• Food Safe certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Computer skills including Microsoft Office and inventory/data entry.
• Acceptable Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Clearance.
  

Terms of Employment

• Must be willing to sign the staff Code of Conduct
• Must be willing to read, agree and sign the MSSC HR Manual
• This position reports to: Food Security Manager as well as Transportation & Logistics Supervisor
• Term: 4 month Seasonal Support Role (contract)
• Hours: Monday to Friday (various start times), occasional Saturday or event coverage
• The MSSC follows BC Employment Standards
• Must provide an acceptable vulnerable sector Criminal Record Check