JOB TITLE Farm Food Collaborative Manager
Reports to: CEO
Location: Huntsville, AL
Rate: $22.60-$28 per hour, 40 hours per week, plus benefits
Status: Full-time, exempt
BACKGROUND
TheFarm Food Collaborative (FFC) is North Alabama’s first and only local food hub, providing administrative and logistical support to both farmers and buyers. The central aim of the FFC is to facilitate sales for farmers of locally grown fruits and vegetables to local buyers and create easy access to these healthy food choices where residents are – especially at school, at the grocery store and while dining out at restaurants.
The FFC is a program of the Food Bank of North Alabama, a nonprofit, tax-exempt charity dedicated to ending hunger in the region. By supplying 12 million pounds of food per year to a network of 200 charitable feeding programs, we serve food insecure residents in North Alabama. The Food Bank also seeks proactive solutions aimed at addressing hunger’s root causes. To this end, in 2014, we officially launched the Farm Food Collaborative to strengthen the local food system by supporting small- and mid-size farms, bolstering local economies and providing greater access to healthy food choices. The ideal candidate will have a passion for ending hunger via local food systems and economic revitalization.
JOB FUNCTION
The FFC manager will maintain positive, long-term relationships with the Collaborative’s stakeholders and coordinate sales, invoices and orders between local farmers and local buyers. The FFC manager supervises one full-time and one part-time position. The FFC manager is expected to keep up with farm trends, seasonal growing times and produce market pricing. As the leader of a small team, the manager’s role includes detailed administrative responsibilities alongside physical aspects related to farm pick-ups and deliveries. We seek an exceptional candidate who enjoys wearing many hats, troubleshooting on-the-fly, and truly thrives in a fast-paced environment.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
· Serve the Farm Food Collaborative’s farmers, buyers and other stakeholders with the highest degree of transparency, cooperation and integrity;
· Provide excellent and timely customer service and facilitate positive, proactive and constructive communication among Collaborative stakeholders – particularly regarding sales transactions/orders;
· Track all program-related data, including monthly, annual, and cumulative sales, logistics, and outreach numbers. Analyze trends, compare data year-to-date and year-over-year, and submit monthly FFC board reports to CEO;
· Assist with FFC food safety trainings, meetings, and farm-to-plate promotional/educational events at schools, trade shows and conferences.
· Send weekly availability lists to buyers;
· Conduct outreach to add more farmers and more potential buyers to contact lists;
· Manage orders and help coordinate sales-related logistics, including deliveries;
· Input and maintain sales invoices, bills, packing slips, farmer and buyer contact lists, membership agreements and other critical documentation with the highest degree of accuracy.
· Educate buyers and consumers on local seasonal availability and the local food multiplier;
· Conduct research and develop resources that farmers need in order to satisfy market demand and buyer requirements;
· Assist with farms’ food safety plan development as needed.
· Attend weekly manager and staff meetings;
· Document activity results for reports to funders, the Food Bank’s Board of Directors and FFC stakeholders as requested;
· Develop and maintain up-to-date standard operating procedures;
· Local travel is required, some over-night stays;
· Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Four years of experience in the farming/produce/grocery industry and/or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (agriculture-related or business/marketing/accounting degrees preferred).
- Organizational and planning experience.
· Proficiency using Quickbooks, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and PPT), and G Suite (Sheets) required.
· Proficiency using graphic design software and social media outlets preferred.
· Valid Alabama driver’s license with vehicle insurance.
· Excellent communication skills: demonstrated ability to proactively communicate and build rapport with diverse stakeholders; convey transaction details of local food sales in an accurate and timely manner; present written and oral information clearly and translate contractual food safety and reporting requirements in simple terms.
· Approaches duties with a sense of urgency.
· Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
· Exhibits a friendly, professional demeanor and respect for others’ opinions and participation.
· Attention to detail and accuracy is essential.
· Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple concurrent tasks.
· Ability to quickly learn new policies and procedures, and navigate the language of food safety compliance.
· Ability to communicate and build positive relationships with farmers, chefs, food service directors, buyers, distributors, grocery store staff, corporate facility directors and funders.
· Personal and professional values aligned with the Farm Food Collaborative’s goal to support thriving family farms, a healthy population and strong local economy.
· Agree to uphold the Food Bank’s core values: respect, accountability, collaboration, urgency, service and integrity.
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
· Ability to process information through computer systems and software.
· Ability to communicate respectfully with diverse constituents and staff.
· Ability to read, count and write to accurately complete all documentation.
· Ability to lift 50 pounds many times throughout the day while delivering to multiple buyers in all weather conditions;
· Ability to operate a forklift; training and certification will be provided;
· Ability to drive a variety of Food Bank owned vehicles, including cars, cargo vans, and box trucks throughout North and Central Alabama;
· Ability to work varied hours/days to oversee responsibilities. The general work week is Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but some deliveries require an earlier start time or later leave time.
APPLICATIONS
Please submit an application, cover letter, and resume by close of business June 17, 2024, to jobs@fbofna.org. Early submission is strongly encouraged as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications are available at www.foodbanknorthal.org.
The Food Bank of North Alabama is an equal opportunity employer and provider.
Thank you for your interest.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $45,000.00 - $58,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Experience level:
Shift:
Weekly day range:
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Huntsville, AL 35824 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Huntsville, AL 35824: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person