Agricultural Sourcing Manager

POSITION SUMMARY
The primary objective of the Agricultural Sourcing Manager (ASM) is to formulate and execute strategies aimed at the successful procurement of donated food products from distributors, co-ops, farmers, and growers to keep FSF stocked with fresh produce and related food items. The ASM will also manage the purchases and relationships needed to maintain and grow the various agriculture related partnerships and value-added initiatives. This position plays a pivotal role in all aspects of the food system, understanding food supply chain, agribusiness, brokering, retailing and wholesaling as it relates to the food industry. While this position ideally has an agribusiness supply chain background, it also involves customer service experience with the ability to work with a diverse community toward our mission of ending hunger in South Florida.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership + Strategy

• Create and maintain a database of primary farm contacts that includes products, volume, and any additional information necessary to maintain these relationships.

• Establish and cultivate a prospective list of farmers and agriculture contacts to pursue each season.

• Monitor and evaluate the Feeding America websites for special food offerings through the purchasing portal, Produce Matchmaker, and Choice.

• Forecast and procure ongoing produce needs for network and programs.

• Set the example for a professional and high-performance culture by maintaining a positive work attitude, communicating courteously, and creating a culture of service with all stakeholders.

• Execute Feeding America’s Agri Sourcing Partnership Playbook to increase FSF ag food sourcing.

• Ensure that Standard Operating Procedures are written, accurate, and executed.

Food Acquisition

• Commit to visiting farms, farmers, auctions, farmers markets, co-ops, and making new and maintaining existing agriculture relationships.

• Establish and maintain produce sourcing accounts with local and state distributors, importers, farmers, and regional co-ops (SERC).

• Source to excess: the volume and quality of produce, protein, and dairy to satisfy FSF network and program demands, as well as share with our sister Feeding America food banks.

• Coordinate the acquisition of fresh USDA Bonus product offerings.

• Conduct routine analysis of sourcing status and agribusiness trends (produce, protein, dairy) and other commodity markets.

Relationship Management and Donor Cultivation

• Oversee the management of all vendor and food donor relationships. This includes negotiating product costs.

• Liaise with Feeding America, Feeding Florida, and other stakeholders as it relates to food acquisition, working with the Development Team to understand overall organization fundraising and relationship goals.

• Ensure exceptional relationship management with wholesalers and retailers, produce brokers, agri-manufacturers, and processors, deepening their relationship and involvement with FSF.

• Perform research on prospective food donors and actively solicit agricultural food donations.

• Produce accurate and timely reports as required by the executive team, Feeding America, the State of Florida, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and donors.

Job requirements

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

• A college degree in Agriculture, Farm Management, or in a related field or a minimum of 5 years of food industry experience in produce sourcing.
• Minimum of 3 years experience managing, developing, motivating, and coaching high-performing teams.
• Understanding of agribusiness, growing trends, and produce processing.
• Knowledge of supply chain, food systems, brokering, retailing, wholesaling, and tertiary markets.
• Success in relationship building and management.
• Experience in establishing and executing sound business practices and metrics including planning and analysis.
• Ability to work as part of a high-performance team, meet deadlines, and must be a strong team player.
• Must be friendly, outgoing, have a positive attitude, and comfortable speaking with people in public and over the telephone.
• Proven track record of successfully working in highly collaborative organizational environments.
• Experience in forecasting and purchasing.
• Fantastic customer service and high expectations for quality.
• Strategic thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong computer skills in a Microsoft Office environment.
• Maintains a professional image.
• ServSafe® training or the willingness to obtain certification. HAACP and AIB experience is a plus.
• Passion for the Food Bank’s vision, mission, and core values.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING CONDITIONS

• Hours of Operation: Although organization hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., this management position will work closer to 50-60 hours per week, especially during peak times such as holiday seasons, growing seasons, and disaster response. After-hours business work is required occasionally throughout the year.
• Environment: This position works on the road visiting distributors and growers as well as in a typical office setting. There may be extended periods of sitting, standing, and/or bending; listening, talking, and/or visual concentration; writing and/or computer use. Occasional work will occur in the warehouse or outside in fields and warehouses in inclement weather. The noise in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
• Disaster Operations: In instances of a federal, state, or locally declared emergency, FSF is typically considered an essential service and emergency responder; all employees may be called in to perform regular or emergent duties.
• Travel: FSF serves four counties so there is often same-day travel between the counties, using a personal vehicle, and occasional out-of-town travel for meetings, conferences, or special events. FSF offers reimbursable travel costs for covered expenses.
• OSHA Standards: Lifting requirements are 50 pounds and when lifting loads heavier than 50 pounds, use two or more people to lift the load.

ORGANIZATION
Feeding South Florida (FSF) is a member of the Feeding America network and the leading domestic hunger relief organization serving Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties. As one of the largest food banks in the Feeding America network, FSF is responsible for serving 25 percent of the state’s food insecure population. A four-star rated organization by Charity Navigator, FSF is one of the most efficient nonprofits nationally; over 98 percent of all donations are put back into the community.

CORE VALUES
FSF values service above all else. We’re looking for innovative and strategic thinkers who are committed to improving the lives of those around them. FSF “Friendly Food Bankers” embrace the enormity of our role in the community and know that serving others comes before any one individual. Friendly Food Bankers have compassion, dedication, act with integrity, and are committed to stewardship and inclusion.

**WE PROVIDE
**Full medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401K matching contribution, Paid Time Off (PTO); a diverse team that is representative of the community we serve; continuous learning opportunities; a high-performance culture that will help challenge and grow your skill set.

Salary: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug-Free Workplace/ADA Compliant