Associate, Inventory & Warehouse

About Cradles to Crayons:

Cradles to Crayons (C2C), founded in 2002, provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive-at home, at school, and at play. We supply clothing, shoes, diapers, school supplies, and more, free of charge. Our vision is that one day all children will have the essentials they need to thrive.

Two in 5 kids in the United States are currently facing Clothing Insecurity, going without basic essentials like pants, shoes, diapers, and school supplies during their critical development years. Three of the top 10 reasons kids miss school are rooted in Clothing Insecurity-just one example of the significant short- and long-term social and economic costs when these needs go unmet. Cradles to Crayons keeps Clothing Insecurity at the core of our mission and is the only large-scale nonprofit organization to focus on this resource gap. Since its founding, Cradles to Crayons has distributed more than three million customized packages of essentials to children in Massachusetts, Greater Philadelphia, Chicagoland, and nationally, through Giving Factory Direct-a first-in-kind online product donation platform launched in 2021.

Cradles to Crayons takes a three-pronged approach to mitigating Clothing Insecurity:

• In-person Engagement-through tens of thousands of children and adults volunteering at our Giving Factory warehouses to sort and package high volumes of new and like-new donations from our communities for our Service Partners to distribute to the children they serve.
• Online Product Donations-Giving Factory Direct matches product donors directly to children who need the items they have to donate. GFD is currently available in a growing number of communities as we expand our reach nationally.
• Advocacy and Awareness-Cradles to Crayons is uniquely positioned to raise Clothing Insecurity as a national issue through awareness campaigns, data/evaluation, and legislative outreach.

Cradles to Crayons has earned the highest possible rating from Charity Navigator since 2009. Only 2% of charities nationwide have received this distinction. C2C has a budget of $16.5M for FY24.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Warehouse Logistics Associate is responsible for supporting the operational efficiency, safety, and needs of the Philadelphia Giving Factory (both warehouse and office spaces) and is also responsible for cultivating and maintaining relations with supply vendors and waste recipients. They work closely with the Manager of Production Planning & Volunteer Engagement to ensure that volunteers are engaged effectively and safely. The Warehouse Logistics Associate also provides logistical support to the Community Engagement team, including driving, supply purchasing, and tracking for offsite kitting events.

The role is 40 hours per week, typically Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend and evening hours.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Model and lead a positive "One Cradles" culture, underpinned by Cradles' Cultural Values and related behaviors.

• Warehouse Management

• Work with the Manager of Production Planning & Volunteer Engagement to maintain a schedule of product needs, resources, and data to support the organization's needs and goals

• Coordinate warehouse infrastructure needs (lighting, shelving, safety equipment) with the Senior Director of Operations.

• Ensure all equipment is serviced, maintained, and operated safely, with up-to-date staff training where appropriate.

• Prepare and submit timely warehouse supply order(s) to the Senior Director of Operations to maintain stock levels for continuous operations.

• Organize and restock supply shelves.

• Maintain internal and external warehouse presentations, cleanliness, and safety, reporting maintenance needs.

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with vendors and manage logistics (waste management, pest control, product procurement).

• Proactively inform the Partner Relations and Community Engagement teams of specific product shortages and/or overages

• Support the overall team with warehouse preparation needed for volunteer management and special events in and outside of the Giving Factory.

• Provide transportation support as needed, not exceeding 25% of the work week.

• Shipping and Receiving:

• Prepare and plan for anticipated dock traffic and product inflow each day, updating the Master Operations Calendar.

• Receive, inventory, and safely store all deliveries and shipments.

• Verify shipping invoices and packing labels for product count accuracy.

• Report any order discrepancies to Senior Director of Operations.

• Assist in preparing and loading products for outgoing deliveries.

• Volunteer Engagement Support

• Optimize warehouse setup for volunteer productivity.

• Perform the duties needed to run the General Sort, Clothing Sort, Sizing, Outfits, Books, Shoes, SUP, as needed.

• Act in the best interest of volunteers and help volunteers to achieve the best possible end product.

• Other duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES:

• Highest standard of customer service should be maintained.
• Distribution is timely, organized and data accurate.
• Good communication exists with other staff members, volunteers, in-kind donors and distribution partners.
• All work in Giving Factory is done in a safe and responsible manner.
• Assistance and support is provided to others as needed.
• Management is properly informed of inventory-related activities.
• Functions are completed in accordance with established C2C standards, policies, and procedures.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• 2-3 years of experience in a warehouse setting and/or inventory management is required.
• Read, speak, and write fluent English, with good verbal skills.
• Proficiency with Outlook, Word, and Excel and ability to perform basic math functions.
• Demonstrated excellence in organization, attention to detail, ability to follow detailed instructions, and be creative with problem solving.
• Candidates must also be physically capable of walking up and down stairs, standing for long periods of time, and bending, reaching, pushing, pulling and lifting up to 80 lbs.
• Ability to use a pallet jack in a safe manner.
• Valid driver's license required and a clean driving record. Have use of a personal car for off-site events preferred.
• Ability to drive a 15 ft. box truck or transit van.

DIVERSITY IS OUR STRENGTH:

Diversity and Inclusiveness are core values at Cradles to Crayons, and we continuously strive to be a team where everyone feels welcome and supported. It is the policy of Cradles to Crayons to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information and/or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. Individuals from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

This is a warehouse environment and normal changes in temperature are to be expected while working inside the warehouse or outside, on or around the loading dock. There are no hazardous or significantly unpleasant conditions.

ACCOMMODATION:

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodations will be made by Cradles to Crayons which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others, or which impose undue hardships on the organization.

TO APPLY:

Please send a cover letter and resume with relevant experience to https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/what-we-do/careers/