food system job in northwest Indiana

Value-Chain Coordinator
​Farm connect program (part-time)

JOB SUMMARY
​Working closely with the Northwest Indiana Food Council and external project partners across the Northwestern Indiana regional food system, the Value Chain Coordinator will be responsible for expanding and managing the Northwestern Indiana Food Corridor described above. The Coordinator will be responsible for the following primary activities: 1) providing/connecting farmers with the support and resources needed for market readiness, 2) establishing new and/or enhancing existing satellite food hubs to aggregate farmers’ produce; 3) collaborating with distributors to connect farmers to local and regional retail and wholesale markets; 4) participating in the development and vetting of a regional collaborative business or network model that positions the Corridor for financial viability.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESFarmer Recruitment and Support

• Create and implement an outreach plan to inform the farming community about the food hub opportunities and recruit farmers for secured markets
  
• Assist producers with production planning to ensure a continuous supply that meets secured market demand
  
• Create, administer, and track coordinated production plans for Northwest Indiana farms and secure corresponding grower agreements that match farmers’ interest and experience level
  
• Organize in-person and virtual trainings for farmers with subject matter experts to increase their market readiness and success
  
• Conduct and/or coordinate site visits with Northwest Indiana farmers to monitor and identify issues with production, quality, food safety and/or organic compliance, etc.
  
• Connect farmers with local/regional experts and resources to help troubleshoot issues
  
• Maintain ongoing communications with farmers regarding planting and harvesting schedules, quality requirements and rejections, GHP/GAP and organic compliance, post-harvest handling procedures, packaging and labeling standards, and delivery
  

Aggregation and Distribution Logistics

• Identify strategically located aggregation points with necessary infrastructure, equipment, and personnel to serve as a food hub for market ready farmers
  
• Provide support, training, and ongoing communication to food hubs to ensure successful aggregation, storage, grading, packaging and labeling, and regulatory compliance
  
• Collaborate with private distributors to develop new or tap into existing delivery routes that distribute produce between food hubs and/or to end markets
  
• Identify backhaul and outgoing delivery opportunities to ensure routes are financially viable
  
• Coordinate logistics of farmer’s produce delivery to the food hub, and distributor pick-up and delivery of produce between the food hub and/or end markets
  

Project Management

• Oversee and manage internal and external project team and related grants, including work plans, budgets, metrics collection, and reporting
  
• Professionally represent the FGA and food hub during community outreach meetings, conferences, and other events
  
• Work with consultant/partners to explore business or network model for the food hub.
  

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

• Proficiency with basic software and technology including MS Office Suite, Google Drive, smart phones, copier, webinar platforms, etc.
  
• Dependable and resilient self-starter with an interest and experience in taking on new challenges and overcoming obstacles with little supervision
  
• Leadership skills with proven project and team management
  
• Eagerness to learn and commitment to asking for help when needed
  
• Outstanding organizational, record keeping and data management skills
  
• Superior listening, verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
  
• Demonstrated ability to network and collaborate with multi-agency/state initiatives
  
• Ability to present information clearly and concisely to groups of farmers, buyers, etc.
  
• Solid business acumen
  
• Clean driving record
  
• Computer access
  

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

• Demonstrated success in writing and/or managing grants
  
• Knowledge of and comfort with general agriculture production, farms and farmers
  
• Familiarity and experience in postharvest handling, wholesale produce quality standards, certified organic standards, and GHP/GAP food safety regulations
  
• Experience selling to, buying from, and/or operating a food hub
  
• Experience teaching or training farmers
  

This is a part time position with the potential to grow into a full-time position. Must have valid driver’s license, dependable vehicle and clean record.
Interested candidates should submit resumes and cover letters to [email protected] with the subject “FARM CONNECT Job Opening - applicant name.” Applications will be accepted until 5:00pm on March 1st, 2019.