Warehouse Lead - Food Distribution

Context

The Common Market is a nonprofit food distributor working to build a more resilient and equitable food system. Through our regional food hubs, we connect local farmers to schools, hospitals, and community organizations—moving fresh, high-quality food through a mission-driven supply chain.

Our Philadelphiawarehouseis a fast-paced, refrigerated distribution environment where precision, teamwork, and accountability matter. This role sits at the center of daily execution—ensuring that what we promise to customers is delivered accurately, safely, and on time.

The Warehouse Lead  (Level3) is the operational backbone of the afternoon shift. You are responsible for making sure receiving, inventory, order fulfillment, and outbound logistics run smoothly—and that the team executes consistently at a high standard.

This is not a sit-back supervisory role. You will be on the floor, solving problems in real time, coaching staff, and stepping in wherever needed to keep operations moving.

You will work closely with the General Manager and play a key role in preparing thewarehousefor the next day’s deliveries.

• Oversee receiving, inventory control, picking, packing, and staging
• Ensure all outbound orders are accurate, complete, and ready on time
• Support routing and staging for efficient truck loading

• Maintain high standards for accuracy, product quality, and organization
• Ensure proper lot tracking, labeling, and FIFO practices
• Identify and resolve issues before they impact customers

• Lead and coachwarehouseassociates throughout the shift
• Reinforce standard operating procedures and safe work practices
• Provide real-time feedback and support performance improvement

• Spot inefficiencies and implement practical fixes
• Help improve workflows, layout, and communication across shifts

• Uphold all food safety, sanitation, and temperature control standards
• Ensure logs, checks, and processes are completed consistently

• You take pride in running a tight, organized operation
• You are comfortable holding people accountable while building trust
• You can balance speed and accuracy without cutting corners
• You are calm under pressure and able to make decisions quickly
• You enjoy being hands-on and leading from the floor

• Someone looking for a purely administrative or desk-based role
• Someone who avoids difficult conversations or performance management
• Someone who needs constant direction instead of taking ownership
• Someone uncomfortable working in cold environments or doing physical work
• Someone who prefers flexibility over a fixed, high-accountability schedule

• 3+ years of warehouse, distribution, or logistics experience (food preferred)
• 2+ years of hands‑on experience in both
  order selection and receiving
• Prior experience leading or supervising a team
• Forklift certification (or ability to obtain)
• Strong understanding of inventory systems and basic computer skills
• Familiarity with food safety standards and best practices

• Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Refrigeratedwarehouseenvironment (cold conditions)
• Regular lifting up to 50 lbs
• Fast‑paced, physically active work

• $25.75/hour (Full-Time)
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• SIMPLE IRA with 100% employer match
• Employer-paid Life, AD&D, Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Paid Time Off (vacation, sick, holidays)
• Ongoing training and development

This role directly impacts our ability to deliver on our mission. When this job is done well, farmers get reliable market access, and schools and hospitals receive high-quality food they can trust.

If you’re someone who wants to lead from the front and take ownership of real operational outcomes, this is a role where your work will be visible and meaningful every day.