Operations Assistant

Title: Operations Assistant

Reports to: Senior Operations Specialist

Status: Part‑time, 20 hours a week

Location: Remote within the United States (option to work from our office in Berkeley, CA)

The Center for Good Food Purchasing uses the power of procurement and partnerships to create a transparent and equitable food system for people, animals, and the environment. We help major institutions nationwide adopt and implement the Good Food Purchasing Program. Over 70 institutions in 40 major U.S. cities have enrolled, collectively spending more than $1.2 billion annually toward local community economies, environmental sustainability, valued workforce, animal welfare, and community health and nutrition.

We work with national partners, local grassroots coalitions, and institutions to shift toward values‑based purchasing from farm to fork and build a cohesive network movement for resilient and equitable food systems. The Center is a fiscally‑sponsored project of Community Partners.

The Operations Assistant provides essential administrative support to the Center’s core mission team and staff, enabling smooth day‑to‑day functioning of the organization. This role supports internal systems management, administrative coordination, staff and board event logistics, and general operational processes. The ideal candidate is a proactive, detail‑oriented team player who thrives in a mission‑driven organization.

This remote role requires occasional travel and is currently funded by a grant through October 2027, with possible extensions based on grant extensions. The Center for Good Food Purchasing is based in the Bay Area of California.

Success in this position looks like:

• Daily operational and administrative tasks are completed thoroughly to support the Center's business operations.
• The Senior Operations Specialist, Executive Director, and Chief Operating and Financial Officer receive timely, reliable support with administrative task items.
• Staff and board events are well‑planned and coordinated, with participants experiencing a seamless and welcoming experience.
• People‑related processes are thoughtfully executed with intention and align with the Center's goals as a people‑first organization.

Organizational Operations & Systems Support (~70%)

• Ensure staff have the equipment and materials (e.g., laptops) needed for their role; coordinate shipping, returns, and inventory maintenance.
• Monitor and respond to incoming messages in the information email inbox.
• Support onboarding and offboarding processes (device ordering, account setup, welcome logistics).
• Assist with routine updates of internal organizational documents and procedural guides.
• Support the maintenance of organizational systems (e.g., GDrive and CRM).
• Assist the Senior Operations Specialist with presentations, data entry and review, and project management tasks as needed.
• Provide operational support for other internal processes and systems as needed.

Core Mission Team Support (~10%)

• Provide administrative support to the Core Mission Support team (Executive Director, Chief Operating and Financial Officer), including scheduling, expense reports, and contract and invoice processing.

Team Culture (~20%)

• Lead staff appreciation events throughout the year (staff gifts, end‑of‑year holiday party).
• Assist the Senior Operations Specialist with event planning and coordination for staff and board retreats (scheduling, vendor coordination, travel and lodging, meeting materials and supplies).
• Participate in staff meetings and events, contributing to internal culture.

• Experience with administrative responsibilities or related work experience.
• High level of organization and ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, seek guidance when needed, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including active listening and effective written communication.
• Strong initiative to improve processes, problem‑solve, and advance projects and initiatives.
• Ability to understand how individual components of work tie into wider department and organizational goals.
• Ability to work…