2023 Job Announcement
Title: Operations Manager
Job Type: Full-time, Exempt salaried position
Reports to: Executive Director, Field to Family
About the organization: Field to Family envisions a region where people eat with the seasons, where farmers make a living, and our ecosystem is diverse, abundant, and healthy. Our mission is to create a more local, healthy and sustainable food system.
Field to Family is a nonprofit educational food hub based in Johnson County Iowa that manages the procurement, aggregation, storage, distribution, education and promotion of local, source-identified foods and provides farm to school educational programming in order to expand access to local food for more people in our region. Through strong partnerships with local producers, Field to Family offers weekly ordering and delivery of wholesale local foods, to schools, food pantries, small food businesses and other institutions, as well as weekly ordering and pick up through an Online Farmers Market from Earth Day to Winter Solstice.
Title: Operations Manager
The Operations Manager is someone with a strong interest for community-based, inclusive and resilient food systems, public health, and/or community development. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker, resourceful team player, who can lead and accept direction, thrive in dynamic work environments, can be described as careful, thorough and meticulous, who is comfortable behind the wheel of a truck and a computer, and enjoys taking on new challenges.
The primary responsibilities of the Operations Manager are to manage Field to Family’s day to day food hub activities with a focus on producer and vendor relationship management, procurement of local foods, warehouse management (aggregation, storage, food safety protocols), distribution, record-keeping and vehicle maintenance.
Responsibilities:
- Manage the day-to-day Food Hub Operations with a focus on Producer/ Farmer/Grower/Vendor Relationship Management (65%)
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with local farmers, producers and market vendors; as well as organizational and community partners, Field to Family staff, board, council and supporters;
- Coordinate weekly logistics with farmers and customers, ensure accurate availability listing, timely aggregation and delivery, product quality
- Maintain accurate, detailed records, to ensure smooth ordering, procurement, invoicing and delivery process
- Support annual sales planning, including crop planning with farmers and business planning internally
- Design weekly delivery and pick up routes and logistics; drive refrigerated fleet vehicles (sprinter van or box truck) to receive and deliver product
- Utilize GoogleDrive, Microsoft Excel, Local Food Marketplace or other management software to efficiently manage records, inventory, customer orders and invoice information, and promote products to customers
- Warehousing, food safety, record-keeping, vehicle and space management (20%)
- Maintain Field to Family’s physical infrastructure, resources, space
- Manage, follow and update the organization’s food safety plan and protocols
- Keep accurate financial, inventory and food safety records
- Manage office, warehouse, refrigerated fleet, equipment and maintain excellent food safety protocols throughout the life cycles of all orders and cross docking endeavors in accordance with Federal, State and Local Food Safety requirements.
- Organizational Support (15%)
- Commitment to effective group process including open communication, mutual accountability and appropriate self-evaluation
- Train and supervise support staff and volunteers
- Assist in marketing, promotion, outreach and education
- Actively participate in team meetings, collaborate strategically with Field to Family staff and team members to enhance and grow the organization’s impact
- Maintain strong verbal and written communications with supervisor, staff and external partners
Required Qualifications:
- Passion for building strong, equitable and resilient community food systems
- Commitment to effective group process including open communication, mutual accountability and appropriate self-evaluation
- Maintain a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record (delivery is a component of the position)
- Lift and carry a minimum of 45 pounds
- Comfortable driving a small box truck long distances, loading and unloading cases, utilizing carts, pallet jacks, small trailers.
- Able to maintain many small details, keep detailed records, and to develop new ways to bring efficiency and accuracy to the operations
- Good communication, interpersonal and organizational skills
- Able to learn new software and record-keeping systems
- Ability to interact with and develop meaningful relationships with people of various cultural backgrounds
- Highly collaborative team player, quick learner, detail-oriented, and self-motivated who can work independently and organize many competing priorities to meet deadlines.
- Ability to effectively communicate with mechanics, electricians, contractors and similar audiences
Preferred Qualifications:
- Box truck driving and delivery experience following DOT regulations and safety standards
- Ability to load and unload trucks quickly and efficiently
- Knowledge of and ability to use Local Food Marketplace and other similar online aggregation software
- Ability to use Quickbooks or similar accounting software
- Business management, planning and reporting experience (sales reports, product analysis, projections, etc.)
- Experience in warehousing, operating warehouse equipment, produce grading, knowledge of wholesale packaging and pricing, farming, or sustainable food production experience
- Experience and competence in staff management and training volunteers
- Knowledge of and experience with basic automobile maintenance, hitching a trailer, generally handy with tools and equipment
- Knowledge of and relationships with individuals and organizations involved in food system work in Iowa from farmers, processors, nutrition directors, chefs, food service, food access, distribution and/or food-related initiatives
Hours and Schedule
This is a full-time position of approximately 40 hours a week, primarily daytime hours. Occasional weekday evenings and weekends for special events.
Compensation:
This is a full-time exempt position and eligible for benefits that include health, dental, vision, and PTO. This position is located in the Field to Family warehouse and office in Iowa City. Some local travel is required. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Salary range- $36,000 to $45,000
Field to Family is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, especially those who have been marginalized by society due to race, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Field to Family will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with Field to Family.
To apply: Send letter of interest highlighting relevant experience, basic resume and 3 references by April 23, 2023 to: [email protected] or by mail to PO BOX 93, Iowa City, IA 52244.