A challenging contract role for an experienced sales, marketing and customer service coordinator on FarmFolk CityFolk and Vancouver Farmers Markets’ distribution system team.
About FarmFolk CityFolk and Vancouver Farmers Market Society
FarmFolk CityFolk (FFCF) is a not-for-profit society and Canadian registered charity. Since 1993, FarmFolkCityFolk has worked to cultivate local, sustainable, food systems across British Columbia. Working with a variety of partners from farmers and chefs to not-for profit societies and corporate partners, our projects provide access to and protection of foodland; support local growers and producers; and engage communities in the celebration of local food.
The Vancouver Farmers Market Society (VFM) is a non-profit society that runs 9 neighbourhood-based farmers markets throughout Vancouver, year-round, visited by 20, 000 shoppers and commercial buyers each week, generating $13 million in local economic impact, and keeping over 16 000 acres of BC farmland in production.
This distribution and aggregation system is a partnership project between the two organizations.
About the Project
FarmFolk CityFolk (FFCF) and the Vancouver Farmers’ Market Society (VFM) have both been key organizations in the growth of the BC local food sector. To continue and further strengthen this growth, in 2010 VFM developed a business plan for a local food hub called New City Market with support from Vancity and the City of Vancouver. Part of the plan is a food aggregation service that supports local farmers to facilitate their sales to local restaurants, retailers and other food service businesses. Additionally, with the help of grants from Enterprising Non-Profits and the Real Estate Foundation in 2013/2014, FFCF developed a detailed, six-part feasibility study that showed the need and feasibility of small scale distribution systems in BC that marry local farmers with local chefs and other buyers. In 2015, the system is set to launch, with the help of a dedicated and innovative coordinator.
About the role
If you are independent, collaborative, experienced with farming and food retail businesses, have a good understanding of local food systems, have had proven success in marketing and project coordination, and are up for a challenge – this contract position is for you. Working with the Executive Directors of both organizations, the Manager of Strategic Partnership and Development and local producers, this position will help launch a distribution and aggregation system for small to mid-sized producers in Metro Vancouver.
Responsibilities and Duties:
- Work with the project team to develop and manage the project budget, business plan, procedures and policies pre launch.
- Produce monthly financial reports; develop and manage invoicing procedures and sales tracking; work with producers to develop and manage pricing system
- Develop and coordinate training for producers and buyers in using on-line platform and mobile ordering system.
- Develop clear, concise content for website to showcase producers operations and available products on regular basis. Establish method of branding distribution system while ensuring producers maintain integrity and promotion of individual operations.
- Develop schedule and manage weekly deliveries, transportation logistics and distribution infrastructure (e.g. truck)
- Maintain excellent customer service, liaising regularly with producers and buyers in the distribution and aggregation system
- Develop and execute a marketing and sales plan to recruit new buyers and increase orders from existing buyers
- Prepare recommendations for growing season of 2016, based on lessons learned in 2015
- Work with project team to develop appropriate reporting to producers, buyers and project funders
This position reports directly to FFCF’s Manager of Strategic Partnership and Development
Qualifications:
- Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible project management (preferably in food retail and/or marketing positions)
- Experience in buying, ordering, pricing for restaurants or food retail and/or small-scale agricultural operations would be considered an asset
- Experience and understanding of the standard practices and challenges facing small-scale producers and buyers
- Well-established connections with retail and/or agricultural community in BC and strong experience in relationship building and working collaboratively
- Proven experience in developing and executing successful marketing, communications and/or sales initiatives
- Excellent customer service skills
- Innovative, independent flexible and highly organized
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
Payment Schedule
Coordinator will be employed on a contract basis from February 23, 2015 to October 19, 2015, with the potential of a contract renewal or permanent position depending on the success of the project. The total sum of the contract is $11,000, and coordinator will work roughly two days per week over the course of the growing season, invoicing monthly.
How to Apply
Please email a resume and cover letter in one PDF document to Amber Cowie, Manager of Strategic Partnerships and Development at amber@farmfolkcityfolk.ca by Friday, February 13.
Emails should be titled Application: Distribution and Marketing Coordinator.