The ideal Food Sourcing Manager for the Northeast Iowa Food Bank understands and is passionate about the organization’s mission to provide nutritious food and grocery product to those in need in our 16-county service area. This individual will be a vital component of the Food Bank’s Distribution team. As the Food Sourcing Manager, this team member must demonstrate outstanding management, organizational, planning, and implementation skills to optimize food sourcing practices and develop new opportunities that support the Northeast Iowa Food Bank’s strategic plan. The ability to work in a fast-paced and progressive environment will be the key to success in this role, as the Northeast Iowa Food Bank continually strives to work towards closing the Meal Gap in northeast Iowa.
This individual will possess strong interpersonal skills with the ability to develop a culture based on high-performing and empowered teams. The Food Sourcing Manager must have a strong sense of initiative and inspire confidence throughout the rest of the supply chain. Cultural competency is of utmost importance, as the Food Sourcing Manager will work with and source food for diverse populations on a regular basis. The Food Sourcing Manager must possess a strong sense of initiative to continually improve the Food Bank community food sourcing processes and experiences and take on other duties as necessary. As a manager level position, this individual will play a vital role in developing culture and morale of staff and a direct role in sharing the NEIFB brand out in the community.
A passion for social justice and compassion for others are keys to being a staff member at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. The Northeast Iowa Food Bank strives to work as a unified team to close the Meal Gap in northeast Iowa, to this end the Food Sourcing Manager will need to be capable of working as a team, as well as being a self-starter. In addition, maintaining a positive outlook will play a large role in being a motivator and encourager for the community, clients, and staff members alike.
The responsibilities of the Food Sourcing Manager include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Source donated, purchased, and USDA commodities products both locally and nationally.
• Provide professional and responsive customer service to all food industry partners, donors, Food Bank partners, and Food Bank staff.
• Oversee food sourcing staff/interns/volunteers and related functions including donor cultivation, donor relationship management, and donor recognition.
• Oversee the Food Bank’s retail store donation program, using technology like Meal Connect.
• Cultivate the Food Bank’s local foods program working with community partners to increase the availability of local grown foods to clients through Food Bank programs and member agencies.
• Work closely with the whole Distribution team to ensure consistent and efficient movement of product through receipting, and storage of product, maximizing space, resources and avoiding waste or damage.
• Oversee the receipting process for USDA and purchased product while partnering with the Inventory Control Manager on donation receipts to control accurate inventory.
• Identify and cultivate new food manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, growers, packers, and food processors. Develop innovative partnerships that address food supply chain challenges.
• Create and routinely implement an onsite visitation plan that includes face-to-face visits, meetings, and presentations (including donor’s facility and Food Bank tours) with retail store donors.
• Educate food donors about the Food Bank’s mission, and the business value and benefits associated with donation.
• Adhere to all policies and procedures set forth by the Northeast Iowa Food Bank in accordance with AIB and Feeding America standards, in addition to local, state and federal regulations.
• Serve on the Food Resource Committee and help create the agenda, provide oversight on the food that is coming into the building & help strategize how to move the food to our agencies and partners.
• Greet, train and supervise volunteers as well as share the mission of the NEIFB; provide general guidance on projects; assure proper training of volunteers to include specific jobs and safety concerns. Communicate frequently with volunteers to ensure they are satisfied and appropriately placed.
• In instances of a federal, state or locally declared emergency, NEIFB is typically considered an essential service and emergency responder; all of its employees may be called in to perform regular or emergent duties.
• Other duties as assigned.
Required:
• 4-year degree or 5 year’s of experience related to Business Management, Supply Chain Management, Marketing or Sales; combination of education and experience taken into consideration
• Ability to speak comfortably in front of others about the Food Bank’s mission
• Strong project management skills with the ability to organize, plan, and execute independently, while balancing competing priorities to meet deadlines
• Exceptional oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Proficiency in MS Office software
• Culturally competent, ability to work with diverse groups and individuals
• Ability to work nights and weekends
• Ability to be certified in ServSafe Food Handling
• Must pass a criminal background check
• Valid driver’s license, safe driving record, current vehicle insurance and ability to use personal vehicle for Northeast Iowa Food Bank business.
• Ability to perform physical labor as necessary (stand/walk/move for long periods of time, lift up to 50 pounds, work with warehouse equipment)
Preferred:
• Knowledge of and experience with warehouse inventory management software/systems
• Food Safety and Handling experience
• Experience as a manager/organizer
• Ability to develop strategy to accomplish objectives
• Ability to work as a team player, yet work independently checking in as appropriate
• Experience with non-profit organizations
• Creative, innovative, and big-picture thinker
Work Environment
The work environment characteristicsdescribed here are representative of those an employee encounters whileperforming the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations maybe made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentialfunctions. This position operates in both a typical office environment, in thecommunity, as well as in the warehouse and requires use of a computer and otheroffice equipment, such as phones, calculators, computer printers and copymachines, and the ability to operate manual pallet jacks and cleaningequipment. While in the warehouse, theemployee is regularly exposed to working near moving mechanical parts.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here arerepresentative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully performthe essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made toenable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Theposition operates in a variety of settings both in and out of the Food Banksuch as office desk, warehouse, and volunteer workrooms as well as a variety oflocations in the community. Ability to communicate in a clear speaking voice inperson, before large groups and over the phone. Ability to interpretinstructions and questions when asked. The person in this position must be ableto stay on their feet for up to four hours at a time. The employee may berequired to push, pull, lift, and/or carry objects up to fifty pounds.
NEIFB Core Values
NEIFB Core Focus
Our Purpose:
Collaborate + Educate + Advocate = Feed the Food Insecure
Our Niche:
Every Meal. Every Day. Everyone.
Northeast Iowa Food Bank hereby affirms it is an equal opportunity employer, offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender expression or identity, pregnancy, leave status, genetic information or age and provides Equal Employment Opportunity to handicapped individuals, disabled veterans and veterans of the Vietnam era. Further, the Northeast Iowa Food Bank is an equal opportunity provider.
Click on the link below to apply or email your resumé and a cover letter to adminassistant@neifb.org.