General Summary

The Produce & Membership Coordinator (PMC) oversees the purchasing of produce for the market, produce membership programs & related events. The PMC works directly with the farm market manager & the farm director. The primary focuses of this role is to:

• develop and maintain strong procurement relationships with local farmers & regional wholesale vendors.

• oversee the ordering, delivery, inspection, pricing & inventory of all produce with attention to growing seasons, weather/agricultural conditions, and inventory needs.

• maintain an understanding of supply chain, shelf-life of perishable products consistent with quality standards.

• share product knowledge with sales staff to enhance the presentation of product and ultimately the customers experience.

• oversee produce membership programs growth, customer relations & retentions, and the pursuit of new markets with the potential to address ways to build upon the established model.

The PMC leads sales associates and adults living with disabilities employed through our vocational training program and volunteers to ensure that produce meets quality standards and is marketed and/or packaged in proper volumes by program area. The PMC models high quality service, and keeps customer satisfaction as a top priority.

The PMC is trained and enforces the policies and procedures established in the farm’s food safety program based upon the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and ServSafe, a food and beverage safety training certification program. The PMCC is sensitive to budgets, profitability margins and other long-term strategies.

Essential Job Functions

• Oversees the weekly purchasing of food products for the farm market, produce membership programs and related events.

• In coordination with the Inventory & Data Maintenance Specialist assures the online visibility of all produce, the promotion of produce membership programs including enrollment & event timeframes.

• Provides stellar customer service to all patrons to ensure customers have a positive and productive experience.

• Provides leadership to individuals in both our vocational training and volunteer program. Provides job coaching and works with vocational staff to provide job training and mentorship for the individuals we serve.

• Collaborates with farm director & farm market manager to oversee produce membership programs and related community events promotions, enrollment & member relations, as needed.

• In coordination with the farm director, works closely with marketing and communications to promote produce membership programs and related events in social media.

• Works with community members and community partners including agencies such as the Department of Transitional Assistance to build and promote the SNAP & HIP programs; get feedback and adjust/improve on programming.

• Attend meetings and/or required trainings related to food access, food security and/or healthy initiatives.

• Works collaboratively in a matrixed program and consistently demonstrates excellent stakeholder management at all levels of the organization. Establishes and maintains professional relationships with customers, community contacts, vendors, and other key partners.

• Maintains an encouraging and positive work environment for adults with disabilities. Assists with scheduling to ensure proper coverage and maximum employment of individuals served.

• Attends all staff meetings, training, and development activities, as required.

• Serves as mandated reporter for suspected cases of abuse and/or neglect to the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC).

The produce & membership coordinator allocates and completes work assignments and priorities by using policies, data, and resources; collaborating with the co-workers, customers, and other business partners; identifying priorities, deadlines, and expectations; carrying out tasks; communicating progress and information; determining and recommending ways to address improvement opportunities; and adapting to and learning from change, difficulties, and feedback. The produce & membership coordinator maintains a clean workplace.

Regular, predictable, full attendance in accordance with Cape Abilities policy is an essential function of this job.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• May assist at off-site promotional events, as requested.

• Performs additional duties, as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

• Leading/Directing Others: Exhibits confidence in self and others; provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates; lays out work in a fair, well-planned, and organized manner; inspires, motivates, challenges and provides support to others to perform well and fulfill the vision; accepts feedback from others; gives appropriate recognition to others; is a clear communicator.

• Total Quality Management: Is dedicated to providing the highest quality services, which meet the needs and requirements of internal and external customers; is committed to continuous improvement through empowerment and performance management; creates a learning environment leading to the most efficient and effective work processes.

• Adaptability: Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events; manages competing demands; changes approach or method to best fit the situation; inspires others to be adaptable to change.

• Ethics, Values and Diversity: Promotes an appropriate and effective work environment and strives to ensure that the agency’s core values and beliefs are applied during all circumstances; genuinely cares about people; deals effectively with all races, nationalities, cultures, disabilities, ages, lifestyle choices and genders; supports equal and fair treatment and opportunity for all; adheres to and promotes the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); advocates for the rights and interests of individuals with disabilities to maximize their potential in the programs and communities of their choice.

• Integrity and Trust: Is respectful, truthful, and transparent; keeps confidence; takes ownership and responsibility for decisions and outcomes.

• Problem Solving and Judgment: Probes all useful and constructive sources to find pertinent answers; can analyze issues, identify problems and work toward appropriate solutions; collaborates with others or as part of a team; displays willingness to make decisions; makes timely decisions; exhibits sound and accurate judgment.

• Oral and Written Communications: Speaks clearly, appropriately and effectively with a diverse group of individuals; is an active listener and gets clarification when necessary; participates constructively in meetings; is able to write clearly and succinctly; is able to communicate clearly in a variety of settings and situations.

PREPARATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• High school diploma required. Bachelor’s degree preferred.

• Minimum 2 – 4 years’ experience assisting with CSA operations, experience handling produce and assessing produce quality. Preferable work experience includes commercial farming work, produce manager of a supermarket, produce educator, produce wholesaler, cook, etc.

• Proficiency in Windows, including MS Word and EXCEL; ability to learn new software.

• The ideal candidate will be business-oriented with strong experience in retail operations and knowledge of produce, customer relations, as well as demonstrated success working in a diverse team.

• Strong communication and well-developed organizational skills that reflect the ability to multi-task with strong attention to detail and timelines.

• Ability to work weekends & special events, if needed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• Supervises the work of program staff, volunteers and program participants.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Frequent walking, standing, bending and twisting.

• Ability to lift a minimum of 25 pounds.

• Ability to safely work with sharp instruments/tools.

• Exposure to the elements

• Ability to work in inclement weather.