Job Description

ABOUT CITY HARVEST

City Harvest is London's original food redistribution charity on a mission to rescue food, people, and the planet. Our HQ is in Acton, with satellite food rescue sites in east and south London. Our mission is to alleviate food poverty across the capital and reduce industry food waste and its harmful effects on the planet. We currently rescue and deliver enough free food for over 1.2 million meals a month to London communities. Our work environment is dynamic and exciting. We operate from a modern office, attached to our food rescue warehouse where all the action happens. We provide a supportive working environment, and opportunities to grow and learn while making a real difference.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As the Volunteer Operations Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of volunteer logistics, ensuring the right volunteers are in the right place at the right time. You will work with the team to develop systems to improve scheduling, track impact, and enhance the overall efficiency of our volunteer programme, working closely with the Volunteer Engagement Manager to create a seamless volunteer experience. This role is based at New Covent Garden Market, providing volunteer support in the mornings and your afternoons will be spent on the administration of our volunteer management systems and the management of our volunteer outreach. A day a week will be spent in Acton attending team meetings, working with the HQ team and supporting the forward development of our volunteering programme.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Oversee the operational delivery of volunteer activities, ensuring roles are filled efficiently and aligned with organisational needs.

Manage volunteer scheduling, rotas, and deployment across various projects and locations.

Implement systems and processes to streamline volunteer coordination, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations on the warehouse floor, ensuring a safe and supported volunteering experience for all.

Work with the volunteer team to monitor and evaluate volunteer contributions, tracking key metrics to measure impact and improve effectiveness.

Help develop and maintain clear policies and procedures for volunteer operations, ensuring compliance with safeguarding and health & safety regulations.

Provide operational support to volunteers, addressing challenges and ensuring a positive and productive experience.

Collaborate with the Volunteer, Operations and Communications teams to align recruitment, training, and retention strategies with operational needs.

Work closely with internal teams to ensure volunteers are effectively integrated into projects and initiatives.

Utilise volunteer management software and data analysis to optimise workforce planning and reporting.

Identify and implement improvements to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and the overall volunteer experience.

KEY DELIVERABLES

Community Volunteers:

To engage with volunteers, to understand and assess their needs within City Harvest

To ensure the development of volunteers with briefings and tailored training that will help them fulfil their role effectively.

To maintain our online volunteering platform, including monitoring our shift schedule for the month, addressing any cancellations, and ensuring effective planning and communication with the Volunteering Team to convey any actions required.

To support, motivate, and accredit volunteers and their work.

To celebrate volunteering, nominating volunteers for recognition, and organising events

To offer advice and information to volunteers and external organisations through face-to-face, telephone and email contact

To promote volunteering opportunities at City Harvest and reach out to new volunteers, both using our profiles on online platforms and within the wider community.

To build effective relationships with volunteers, to understand individual needs, and make adjustments accordingly.

Corporate Volunteers:

Our Corporate Volunteering programme is a vital part of our fundraising strategy, supporting the development of our organisation and our engagement with donors.

To work closely with the Corporate Partnerships Manager and Volunteering Team to enable awareness of different corporate volunteer requirements and expectations.

To work closely with the Volunteer Coordinator/s and Transport Team to prioritise daily work tasks and coordinate with volunteers as appropriate.

To support the hosting of corporate volunteers, including meet-and-greet, inductions, and training, where necessary.

Relationship Management

The role of Volunteer Operations Manager plays a key part in collaboration between teams. A close relationship will need to be established within Volunteering Team, to distribute responsibilities and ensure an effective and seamless way of working.

To act as point of contact between Volunteer, Warehouse, Communications, Fundraising, and Food Teams.

To attend Volunteering Team meetings as required, ensuring awareness of our key developments, strategy, and tasks to be prioritised as a team.

To work with our Communications Team to provide materials for volunteer distributions, including creation of weekly volunteer engagement newsletter and any materials required onsite for volunteers.

To support the delivery of the annual Volunteer Week and any other engagement and celebration activities and strategies across the year.

To champion volunteering internally and externally.

Organisation Wide Responsibilities:

To comply with relevant equity, equality, diversity, and inclusion policies, promoting a healthy working environment where all individuals are valued. To comply with relevant health and safety policies, seeking to minimise hazards for others. To comply with relevant data protection policies, ensuring General Data Protection
Regulations are considered when making plans and decisions.

To work as part of a wider team, undertaking any other reasonable duties appropriate for the role that may be required by the organisation.

ABOUT YOU

Experience:

Proven experience in volunteer management, operations, or logistics within the charity, non-profit, or community sector.

Organisational Skills:

Strong ability to manage schedules, coordinate multiple projects, and ensure smooth operational delivery.

Problem-Solving:

Proactive and solutions-focused, with the ability to troubleshoot challenges in a fast-paced environment.

Collaboration:

A team player who works well with internal departments, external partners, and volunteers.

Data & Systems Management:

Experience using volunteer management software and tracking impact through data analysis.

Communication:

Strong interpersonal skills to liaise effectively with volunteers and stakeholders.

Passion:

A commitment to tackling food waste and food insecurity through an efficient volunteer workforce.

Flexibility:

Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.

DESIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Previous experience in a similar role and/or in a similar setting managing or working with volunteers, including being a volunteer, is a must.

Food Hygiene Level 2 is essential (you could have it completed or could be working towards it we can supply training).

Strong time-management and organisational skills with the ability to manage a variety of tasks are essential for this role.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to build healthy work relationships.

Ability to cope with high work volumes and perform well under pressure is key.

An essential requirement for the role is to be inspiring, motivating, and energising style which will engage and encourage others.

Problem-solving skills and positive, proactive "can-do" attitude.

Strong IT skills (Outlook, Word and Excel) with the ability to keep accurate records are essential for this role.

Ability to build strong and effective relationships, managing a diverse range of people

QUALITIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESS AT CITY HARVEST

Charitable

Compassionate

Community-focused

Aspiring

Trustworthy

Collaborative team player

JOB DETAILS

Job Type: Full-time, permanent, Monday to Friday

Hours of Work: 8am - 4pm (with a 30-minute unpaid lunch break)

Salary: 26,300 - 29,500

Place of Work: Arch 5, New Covent Garden Market, Nine Elms, London, SW8 5BH & Unit 8, Acton Park Industrial Estate, London, W3 7QE

PLEASE SEND YOUR CV AND COVER LETTER TO jobs@cityharvest.org.uk

City Harvest London is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. We believe in treating all employees, volunteers, candidates, and stakeholders with fairness and respect. We value the unique perspectives and experiences that individuals from different backgrounds bring to our organisation, and we strive to foster an environment that promotes equal opportunities for all.

We adhere to the Equality Act 2010 and our policy is to be fair and consistent in all aspects of our organisation. Our recruitment and selection processes are designed to select candidates based on their abilities and merits to perform the tasks required. All applications received will be dealt with confidentially and subject to our company's recruitment and selection processes. Employment is subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks and eligibility to live and work in the UK.

At City Harvest London, we embrace equality as part of our ways of working because we believe it is the right thing to do for our people, our community, and our success. We do not discriminate in employment based on race, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, disability, age, marital status, medical history, parental status, or genetic information.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 26,300.00-29,500.00 per year

Benefits:

Bereavement leave Casual dress Company pension Cycle to work scheme Discounted or free food Free parking Life insurance On-site parking Private dental insurance Private medical insurance Sick pay
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Experience:

in a similar role : 3 years (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 21/07/2025