Procurement Coordinator, Food Programs

FLSA: Non-Exempt/Overtime Eligible

Benefits: Eligible

Hours Per Week: 40/Full-time

Met Council is America’s largest Jewish charity dedicated to serving the needy. We fight poverty through comprehensive social services and by treating each client with compassion, integrity, and respect. Our programs are staffed by experts who help over 325,000 clients each year and advocate on behalf of all needy New Yorkers. Our services include 100% affordable housing at 21 locations, family violence services, Holocaust survivor assistance, geriatric social work, crisis intervention and the largest free kosher food distribution program in the world. Our network of 101 food pantries, affordable housing sites, and affiliated JCCs provide services directly in neighborhoods across New York City.

Position Summary:

The Procurement Coordinator supports the procurement and distribution of kosher and halal food for Met Council’s Food Program. This role is responsible for coordinating ordering, purchasing, scheduling & logistics, inventory tracking, and interfacing with the Fiscal Department, as needed, to track budget & grant spending and procurement documentation. The Coordinator maintains regular communication with suppliers and network agencies and liaises with the Procurement Manager, Warehouse Director, and other members of the Food Program team to help ensure smooth and efficient warehouse operations.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Support the ordering and purchasing of food through online and phone orders from donated food sources, e.g. City Harvest, whole food vendors, and donors.
• In coordination with the warehouse team, assist with identifying vendors, negotiating prices, and procuring food from vendors supplying kosher & halal products.
• Maintain regular communication with the Food Program team, suppliers, and network agencies regarding the status of orders and purchases as well as scheduling pick-ups and deliveries.
• Support relationships with vendors and others to secure donations of kosher & halal food products.
• Coordinate the logistics of inbound deliveries and outbound distributions with vendors, warehouse staff, and network agencies.
• Coordinate vendor direct deliveries to network agencies, special project deliveries, and/or emerging models of food provision.
• Work interdepartmentally with the Fiscal Department to secure approval for purchases, submit appropriate paperwork, track payments, and progress against available funding sources.
• Support inventory tracking using a Salesforce-based inventory management system to track food both in and out of the warehouse.
• Maintain data in the online inventory management system and support consistent system usage across food programs operations.
• Additional responsibilities as required.

Competencies:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Exceptionally strong problem-solving skills
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills, with the ability to juggle multiple, sometimes competing, tasks
• Project management skills, including follow-up across departments and job titles
• Comfortable learning and using new systems and databases as well as using technology to run reports and conduct analyses
• Collaborative team player
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to follow organizational policies, procedures, and compliance requirements
• Consistently demonstrates professionalism, accountability, and dependability in the workplace.

Skills and Education:

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree (preferred), equivalent work experience (accepted)
• Minimum of 1-3 years of experience in procurement, logistics, warehouse operations, or administrative support (preferred).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
• Experience working with Salesforce or other CRM or ERP data systems
• Working knowledge of Kashruth and/or halal dietary laws (preferred); or willingness to learn (required)

Special Requirements:

• Occasional travel among Met Council office locations and network agencies is required around the five boroughs, typically using public transport.
• Comfort working in a shared warehouse office environment.

Physical Demands:

• Required Constantly: Walking, sitting, grasping, bending, stooping, squatting, computer input, finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination

• Required Frequently: Standing and climbing stairs; carrying laptop & files (approx. 8-10 lbs)

• Required Occasionally: Reaching above the shoulder, and lifting, pushing and pulling 5-25 pounds

Compensation: $55,000 to $60,000 per year.

Benefits: Major medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; pre-tax commuter benefits; FSA; 403(b) with employer contribution; plus generous vacation, sick leave, and holidays.