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Hiring: World PEAS Food Hub Manager

Organizational Description

World PEAS Food Hub is a project of New Entry Sustainable Farming Project. Our Food Hub embodies a unique relationship between producers and consumers, which benefits consumers, small-scale limited-resource farmers, local communities and the environment.

Job Summary

The World PEAS Food Hub Manager will manage all activities associated with a $300,000/yr multi-farmer World PEAS Food Hub, including leading the Food Hub team in maintaining a high level of reputation for World PEAS products. World PEAS distributes fresh, locally-grown produce to over 30 distribution points around the Boston area. The Food Hub includes an expanding low-income food access component, consisting of multiple community partnerships. The Food Hub also provides market training and technical assistance to new and beginning farmers who are the main suppliers of the Food Hub.

Essential Job Functions

Food Hub Logistics

  • Provide oversight and management of World PEAS Food Hub, working with Food Hub staff, to ensure that objectives are met in a timely manner with measurable results;
  • Lead resource and fund development, including pursuing diverse funding sources, setting goals and raising funds from corporations, foundations, government agency grants and individual donors to support World PEAS;
  • Ensure continued financial viability of World PEAS through controlling Food Hub expenditures so that ensure sufficient human, financial, technological, informational, and material resources are available to meet World PEAS Food Hub goals;
  • Build strategic partnerships and collaboration opportunities to grow the Food Hub, with institutional, wholesale and retail customers;
  • Develop annual business and operational plans, with performance targets, that are aligned with the World PEAS annual budget.  Analyze and evaluate World PEAS Food Hub results, establish long-term growth/ sustainability options for World PEAS;
  • Hire and train the World PEAS Food Hub team. Conduct yearly World PEAS staff performance evaluations;
  • Provide leadership to World PEAS team in managing daily operations, including maintaining a 2,000 sq. ft. packing and distribution facility, conducting quality assurance, and produce delivery;
  • Network with peers and implement best practices from other food hubs;
  • Lead Food Hub Team in analyzing, evaluating and interpreting customer and farmer preferences and trends in the community.  Continuously implement changes were needed to meet the needs of these stakeholders;
  • Manage shareholder communications and customer service;
  • Develop, maintain and manage on-line purchasing tools for over 300 CSA customers per year plus low-income outlets and bulk markets;
  • Track activities through New Entry’s Customer Relations Management (CRM) software (Salesforce) to ensure adequate documentation for reports to funders and the community;
  • Develop and conduct sales, marketing/advertising, outreach and education programs to reach potential individual customers and institutional markets to generate Food Hub revenue;
  • Develop system for produce quality assessment, documentation, and feedback to farmers to ensure customer satisfaction;
  • Provide technical assistance to farmers in post-harvest practices to yield optimal produce quality;
  • Manage farmer bidding process and develop crop production schedules to maximize farmer income;
  • Manage annual farmer financial survey process to capture stats regarding farmer income;
  • Provide referrals to farmers to connect with other market opportunities.

Low-Income Food Access

  • Manage efforts to build food access and equity around the greater Boston area through World PEAS Food Hub activities;
  • Source funding to support low-income initiative through outreach to individual CSA shareholders and potential funders/donors/sponsors;
  • Grow the low-income food access program by determining yearly food access goals, establishing new food access partnerships, and strengthening existing partner relationships;
  • Oversee evaluation of low-income access program results for reporting to funders and the community.

Special requirements:

  • Ability to perform varied and repetitive warehouse tasks including manual lifting of boxes between 25 – 50 pounds, in conditions that vary from hot and humid, to cold and wet, and up and down stairs;
  • Access to reliable private transportation necessary;
  • Willingness and ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree required, 2 years of experience overseeing CSA operations may substitute for degree;
  • A minimum of 3-5 years experience in managing business or social enterprise;
  • Awareness of food quality and food safety standards at wholesale level;
  • Agricultural training and experience in multiple aspects of farming is a plus;
  • Experience in sales, marketing, outreach and building relationships and educating consumers about product benefits;
  • Community organizing and cross-cultural experience helpful; prepared to build relationships with beginning, immigrant and refugee farmer participants;
  • Minimum of 2 years supervisory experience required;
  • Highly organized and attention to detail;
  • Strong leadership skills;
  • Ability to work individually and as part of a team to meet strict deadlines;
  • Self-motivated and directed; works well within a rapidly-changing environment;
  • Effective communications, interpersonal skills, and strong writing ability;
  • Clear driving record;
  • Working knowledge of computer software (MS Office, social media, Salesforce CRM, website content development, graphic design, Excel database).

Apply online here.
We also accept applications by mail or fax. Apply by mail to: Third Sector New England, Attn: Employment Manager, NonProfit Center, 89 South Street, Boston, MA  02111; or send by fax to: 617.523.2070.

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