Food Resourcing Associate
The Food Resourcing Associate will support the mission of Feeding Southwest Virginia and is responsible for soliciting food product donations, manage the Partner Pick Up Program, and community food drives and raise public awareness for the organization.
POSITION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
To be successful in this role, an individual must be able to perform in a satisfactory manner the functions or responsibilities listed below.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITY (EXPECTED WORK)
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As the Food Resourcing Associate, he/she will demonstrate a professional demeanor in interactions with all FSWVA staff, agencies, program representatives and government officials in ensuring a compliant safe facility and environment.
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Keep informed and consistently practice the policies and procedures of Feeding Southwest Virginia, Feeding America national office, USDA, FDA and government regulations pertaining to food handling, storage, sanitation and disposal.
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Ensure compliance with Feeding America, VA Department of Agriculture and other health and safety regulatory bodies.
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Possess knowledge of Feeding Southwest Virginia and all programs.
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Complete annual ServSafe training.
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In working closely with and under the guidance of the Food Resourcing Manager, the Food Resourcing Associate is responsible:
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Manage the Partner Pick Up Program
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Coordinate all Food Drives
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Research new PPUP food sources/food drive donors and cultivate the relationships between FSWVA the donors and the partner agencies.
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Maintain and nurture existing donor relationships
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Provides excellent internal communication with employees from various departments and external communication with the public, specifically donors and vendors to solicit food, purchase goods and services, and to communicate the organization’s mission and purpose to the public.
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Implement the organization’s grass roots fresh produce initiative by targeting farmers for fresh produce donations through visits and attending farm meetings.
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Coordinate, implement, and participate in the food recovery (gleaning) at industry tradeshows
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Assist in the education of the public on hunger issues within the community.
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Ensure agency reports are processed in Meal Connect weekly.
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Coordinates and manages events as assigned
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Perform clerical tasks including correspondence, report generation, copying, and filing as assigned.
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Back up for USDA ordering and all purchased food ordering for every program
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Back up for all Transportation POs
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Provide reports/ recognition/visits to food donors.
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Assists in updating SOP’s.
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As the Food Resourcing Associate representing the organization, he/she will demonstrate a professional demeanor in interactions with all agencies, food donors and the general public.
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Research, develop and maintain relationships with PPUP donors and Food Drive donors and prospects via phone calls, face to face visits, mailings, and publications.
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Manage the agency/donor donation programs.
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Represent the organization professionally; maintain positive public relations, and exceptional customer service.
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Maintain positive public relations, and exceptional customer service.
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Contact Prepared and Perishable/ Food Drive Donors.
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Work with health department, VA Cooperative Extension Service Food Industry, Feeding America, and VA Department of Agriculture to ensure timely distribution of product.
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Relate well with donors, community organizations and general public.
Other functions:
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Promote a cooperative spirit within the organization and among internal and external participants.
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Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Food Resourcing, Chief Operating Officer, and the President and CEO.
Interface: Responsible in maintaining positive relationships
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Interactions with member agencies, the general public, vendors, donors, trucking and freight companies, farmers, food producers, the public and key contacts.
Minimum Skills and Qualifications required to capably perform in the position
Training, Education and Experience:
Education:
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Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education and 2-3 years marketing experience including personal solicitation of goods and services required.
Experience:
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Two years of customer service experience in dealing with the public required.
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Two years of strong administrative experience in working in an office environment required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
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Excellent oral and written communications skills, with public presentation experience.
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Excellent organizational, critical thinking, analytical, decision making, and interpersonal skills.
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Ability to persuade, negotiate, and convince donors to make contributions to the organization.
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Ability to work at a fast pace with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
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Able to work independently and to handle multiple priorities under minimal supervision.
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Must be able to understand instructions and effectively demonstrate quality results.
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Possess a willingness to learn.
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Demonstrated ability to work independently and meet deadlines while managing multiple tasks and changing priorities required.
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Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact with internal and external audiences are required.
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Ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships with staff from all areas of the organization is necessary.
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Strong customer service ethic is required.
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Limited occasional evening and weekend work required for special events.
Allowable Substitutions:
Combination of education, experience, and/or training that provides the required knowledge and skills for the position may be considered in lieu of education and/or experience at the company’s discretion.
Language Skills:
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Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and convey concepts in an understandable way.
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Ability to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, and general public.
Mathematical Skills:
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Ability to perform basic math functions.
Technical/Computer Skills:
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Proficiency required in the use of Microsoft Office Word, Excel and Outlook Software.
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Capable of learning and independently operating equipment required for the position including printer, multi-use copier and phone system.
Other Skills and Abilities:
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Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times.
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Must be reliable and dependable.
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Positive work ethic, food relationship management skills and team-oriented attitude.
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Maintain compliance with established Food Bank directives, policies and external regulations.
Licenses and Certificates:
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Valid Class Driver’s License and own transportation to work required.
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Maintain a safe driving record in driving company vehicles.
Team Commitment:
Considers the benefits and consequences to the team when taking action, openly shares ideas and information with others, effectively completes work activities with and through others, helps others achieve goals and complete work to meet the needs of the team and the organization. Criticizes actions, when necessary, not people and effectively negotiates win-win outcomes.
Flexibility:
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Be willing to work overtime and mandatory days set forth by the organization on short notice.
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Be willing to work flexible coverage as needed.
Physical Demands:
The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the tasks outlined in this job description.
The position operates primarily in an office setting within the food bank. This position requires sitting at a desk and in meetings for long periods of time and involves extensive computer work with frequent interruptions. Vision abilities required include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Routine travel for donor visits, functions and special events is normal. Some travel for overnight trainings is required. Occasionally, may be required to respond to organizational needs outside of normal working hours. The employee may be required to walk, stand, push, pull, lift bend, and carry objects up to 30 pounds. With forklift traffic in the facility and product stacked and stored throughout, this position requires someone who is mobile and who can hear and watch for traffic and normal hazards of a warehouse environment. Occasionally, conducts work in an external environment which requires driving. Conducts work in a fast paced and deadline driven environment.