Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is the leading local hunger-relief organization in the state with locations in Milwaukee and Appleton. Founded in 1982 by the Rotary Club of Milwaukee, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is a local and independent member of the Feeding America network. Driven by our mission to solve hunger, we are bringing more people together around the table to collaboratively address the root causes of hunger. Together with our network partners, we serve nearly half a million food-insecure people across 35 counties in eastern Wisconsin each year.
JOB PURPOSE:
The Warehouse Assistant – Inventory & Logistics supports the efficient movement, storage, inventory control, and distribution of food and related products across Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin's warehouse network. This position serves as a key operational partner to the Senior Program Operations Coordinator by executing inventory transfers, maintaining inventory accuracy, supporting government program fulfillment, and assisting with multi-warehouse operations.
This role performs hands-on warehouse activities, including receiving, shipping, order fulfillment, cycle counting, inventory movement, and storage organization while helping ensure compliance with food safety, inventory control, and operational standards.
The position also provides transportation support between warehouse locations, including operation of a CDL Class B vehicle approximately 25% of the time.
This role is critical to maintaining inventory integrity, supporting program execution, and ensuring food reaches community partners safely, efficiently, and on time.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:
Inventory & Warehouse Operations
- Follow all safety policies and procedures, including safe driving, lifting, equipment operation, and food safety requirements.
- Operate powered industrial equipment, including forklifts, pallet jacks, and other warehouse equipment.
- Receive, inspect, unload, and properly store incoming product.
- Pick, stage, and prepare orders for distribution, transfer, and partner pickup.
- Move product to designated warehouse locations while maintaining FIFO/FEFO inventory practices.
- Assist with inventory transfers between warehouse locations and off-site storage facilities.
- Accurately scan, track, and record inventory transactions within the ERP and inventory management systems.
- Weigh, label, count, and verify products to support inventory accuracy.
- Support monthly, quarterly, and annual inventory processes, including cycle counts and physical inventories.
- Identify inventory discrepancies and communicate concerns to the Senior Program Operations Coordinator.
- Assist with inventory reconciliation and corrective actions as directed.
Government Programs & Fulfillment Support
- Support assembly, staging, and distribution of government food programs, including TEFAP and CSFP.
- Assist with receiving, organizing, and processing government commodities.
- Prepare products and materials for program distributions and partner deliveries.
- Support fulfillment activities during peak program periods and high-volume distribution events.
- Ensure proper product rotation, traceability, and documentation requirements are maintained.
Transportation & Logistics Support
- Safely operate company vehicles, including CDL Class B vehicles, to transport product, equipment, and supplies between warehouse locations.
- Conduct required pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections.
- Maintain transportation documentation and required records.
- Assist with loading, securing, and unloading product during transportation activities.
- Communicate delivery issues, delays, or product concerns promptly.
- Support route adjustments and logistics coordination as directed.
Food Safety, Compliance & Facility Standards
- Maintain food safety, sanitation, and AIB standards throughout warehouse operations.
- Monitor product quality and identify concerns related to damage, spoilage, temperature control, or contamination.
- Maintain organized storage areas, clear aisles, rack locations, exits, and workspaces.
- Assist with warehouse housekeeping, pest prevention efforts, and facility cleanliness.
- Support recall readiness, traceability efforts, and inventory documentation requirements.
Operational Support & Continuous Improvement
- Follow daily priorities and work assignments established by the Senior Program Operations Coordinator and Operations Manager.
- Communicate operational issues, inventory concerns, and process improvement opportunities.
- Assist with training and onboarding of warehouse staff and volunteers as requested.
- Cross-train across warehouse functions to provide operational flexibility and continuity.
- Support warehouse operations during staffing shortages, peak volume periods, and special projects.
- Perform administrative and inventory-related tasks, including order reconciliation and documentation.
- Other duties as assigned.
An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Ability to work safely following FAEW safety procedures.
- Commitment to understand and support Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin’s mission, vision, and effective actions to end food insecurity and its causes.
- Respect for the people FAEW serves and commitment to learn the causes of their food insecurity and need.
- High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
- Two or more years of warehouse, logistics, inventory control, transportation, or related operational experience preferred.
- Valid Wisconsin driver's license required.
- Valid Class B CDL license for vehicles greater than 26,000 lbs. with air brakes. Excellent Motor Vehicle Record and successful DOT physical and drug screen.
- Forklift and powered industrial equipment certification required or ability to obtain upon hire within in two weeks of hire.
- Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
- A positive, team-oriented mindset with a "can-do" approach to supporting the organization, demonstrating cross-functional collaboration and a focus on developing solutions.
- Ability to use RFID scanners and other digital equipment.
- Computer skills to learn and use Primarius database.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work independently while following established priorities and procedures.
- Good math aptitude and attention to detail.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Ability to see, talk and hear to exchange accurate information.
- Ability to use keyboard, manipulate objects or controls, and reach with hands and arms.
- Ability to follow proper food storage and handling methods.
- Demonstrate the ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be open-minded of differing opinions and views.
- Ability to work occasional evenings, weekends, and extended hours as operational needs require.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and/or hear, and/or use hands to handle, or touch objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand, and/or walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
Protective Clothing Required: Close-toed shoes, Warm clothing when working in cold environment.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in a warehouse, office environment and off-site locations. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The work environment described represents characteristics an individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.
Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. FAEW prohibits discrimination against any applicant or employee on the basis of age, race, color, creed, religion, disability, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, arrest or conviction record, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Requirements
Employment with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and other pre-employment requirements applicable to the position.