Program Manager

Care for Real fosters healthy and equitable communities by helping neighbors overcome food insecurity with dignity. Through locations in Edgewater and Rogers Park, CfR provides food, clothing, pet food, referral, and additional services with compassion to improve the health and well-being of low-income residents to foster a stronger, healthier, equitable, and more stable community. To learn more about who we are and how we serve please, see our website: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..org

Care for Real is an equal opportunity employer. Care for Real is committed to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic team representative of the communities which we serve. BIPOC identified individuals, transgender and gender-nonconforming people, people from poor and working-class backgrounds, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The Program Manager is the main point of contact for clients and oversees daily program operations. This role supports client services, helps supervise program staff and volunteers, and manages core systems, including client data, inventory, and non-food in-kind donations. Working closely with the Director of Programs and other teams, the Program Manager helps ensure services are delivered in a safe, respectful, and consistent manner grounded in trauma-informed care and the mission and values of Care for Real.

• Frontline Leadership:
  Serve as the primary point of contact for clients and staff during food pantry distributions and clothing closet appointments. Help set clear expectations and maintain a welcoming environment that reflects Care for Real's values.
• Scheduling and Communications:
  Assist with program scheduling and client communications.
• Professionalism:
  Demonstrates sound judgment, professionalism, accountability, and discretion in all aspects.
• Attendance & Reliability:
  Maintain regular, predictable, and reliable attendance and arrive on time as scheduled to effectively manage daily program, supervise staff, and provide consistent support to clients.

• Keep client impact in mind when making operational changes and work with programs and warehouse staff to address barriers that arise during distributions.

• Maintain a safe, respectful, and trauma-informed service environment. De-escalate conflicts when needed, coordinate with the security guard, and document and follow up on any incidents.

• Build and maintain referral relationships with outside providers and community resources to help meet client needs.

• Staff Supervision:
  Serve as director supervisor for assigned program team members. Monitor and approve time, attendance, and schedule requests. Provide weekly 1 on 1 meetings and conduct annual performance review.
• Team Support:
  Coordinate the daily work of volunteers and interns. Supervise, train, and support the client registration team.
• Capacity Building:
  Help build a collaborative team culture and ensure team members are trained in organizational standards, safety procedures, and client service expectations.

• Database Management:
  Oversee the client database, registration systems, and the client registration team to ensure accurate data entry and tracking.
• In-Kind Non-Food Management:
  Manage non-food in-kind donations (e.g., clothing, pet food, menstrual care products), including creating wish lists, managing the donation calendar, and maintaining donor relationships.
• Collection Drives:
  Coordinate planning, internal and external communication, and follow-up for organization-hosted collection drives.
• Program Supplies:
  Maintain inventory of program supplies and order as needed

• Performance Tracking:
  Track and monitor program metrics, share updates with relevant stakeholders, and identify areas for improvement with the Director of Programs.
• Community Engagement:
  Attend Community-Based Organization (CBO) partner meetings or assign staff to attend and report back on key updates.
• Compliance:
  Ensure compliance with organizational policies, food safety standards, confidentiality standards, and all other applicable regulations. Maintain a clean and safe environment.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor's degree
• Experience:
  
  3-5 years of relevant experience in program management, social work, education, or other client-facing nonprofit work.
• Technical
  
  Skills:
  
  Proficiency with Microsoft Office and comfort using databases, inventory systems, and data reporting tools.
• Core Competencies:
  
  Strong organizational, problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills. Ability to manage competing priorities, make sound decisions, and adapt quickly to changing needs. A creative, reflective approach and a growth mindset are essential on the programs team.

• Experience:
  
  Demonstrated experience directly supervising, coaching, and developing…