Provide fresh produce related leadership and thought partnership for the member food banks and regional cooperatives with the purpose of supporting the execution of that region’s comprehensive strategic plan, projects and goals.
This role has accountability for removing obstacles, through solution-building, that would prevent Feeding America’s members and stakeholders from achieving success in produce sourcing. Success is defined as significant increase in rescue of fresh produce (pounds), quality product, and strong partnerships. Success is accomplished via trusting working relationships with network FBs, regional co-op/sourcing leadership and within Feeding America National Office (FANO) produce team. Leadership is either consultative or “in the trenches” depending on the needs.
30% Strategy and planning, 35% project management, 25% operational/metrics, 10% admin.
- Assess and provide leadership to members to cultivate sourcing capabilities (education, process, tool, strategy, etc.); generally, will not be responsible for direct sourcing but for providing support to ensure sourcing can be acted on by members, co-op or FANO.
- Work with produce supply chain team to align local, state or regional sourcing strategies with commodity specific strategy (push model) and assures network engagement with growers/suppliers and constituents.
- Analyzes data and reports to ensure supply & demand pounds and other metrics are on-track with expectations; creates surveys or other feedback loops with stakeholders to identify gaps to ensure proper sourcing support/solutions are directed to those in need.
- Collaborates with produce management and network stakeholders to define criteria for success and measurement of outcomes (e.g. pounds, commodity mix, agencies served, ROI, cost, etc.); helps reporting team create dashboard that allows for summation of progress to executives and others.
- Helps raise operational challenges/bottlenecks to right-level folks and manage conflict/solution if required.
- Supports with strategic grower/donor visits if needed; helps align development activities.
- Organizes meetings and sharing opportunities for stakeholders; maintains routine contact with constituents.
- Steers and participates in produce related pilots and related deliverables in region; assists with deliverables.
- Provides subject expertise to corporate partnerships and other fundraising teams; oversees FANO awarded grants (within territory) and reviews progress reports, etc.
- Champions sourcing best practices and operational excellence; establishes training courses and other channels for knowledge sharing; proactively provides expertise.
- Serves as departmental lead with internal FANO support teams (technology, member services, etc.) with regards to produce or supply chain initiatives and future systems, committees, etc.
- Represents Feeding America at relevant internal and external events; engages produce industry to support our cause
- 10+ years of project/program management in multi-stakeholder environment; or equivalent experience in procurement, relationship management, consulting or customer service role of equivalent complexity.
- Strong communication and comprehension abilities with a talent for instilling confidence with stakeholders and influencing outcomes.
- Produce experience preferred
- Tends towards proactive and problem-solving vs. reactive; sees patterns and connects dots.
- Highly adept in all MS Office applications; moderately advanced analytical capabilities including Excel pivot tables.
- Able to travel within assigned territory between 30 - 60% but also adept at using technology and remote collaboration methods for success when not in front of stakeholders.
- Food bank or food pantry experience a plus.
- Committed to the mission of produce rescue and our organizational mission of ending hunger.