Puget Sound Food Hub Cooperative Now Hiring for Operations Manager

Background:

The Puget Sound Food Hub Cooperative (PSFHC) is a farmer owned cooperative operating in the Puget Sound region. The PSFHC combines marketing, aggregation, and distribution for member farms and ranches. The goal is to develop relationships between local farms and businesses/institutions with a vision of creating healthier communities while expanding economic opportunities for local Northwest Washington farms. PSFHC’s purpose is to increase the production, distribution, and consumption of regionally produced food.

Description:

The PSFHC Operations Manager reports to the General Manager and will provide the administrative and operational management needs of the distribution warehouse and online marketplace.  This includes but is not limited to logistics coordination, pest management, quality control, food safety, customer service, internal and external communication and all related reporting.  The Operations Manager will utilize Local Food Marketplace’s online tools to manage the wholesale market.  The Operations Manager will also provide feedback and work with the General Manager to implement changes to existing procedures for continuous improvement of the wholesale market.

Scope of work:

Manage Local Food Marketplace Online Ordering Platform

  • Ensure ordering periods, sub-periods, locations and other software functions are set up properly
  • Act as the liaison with Local Food Marketplace for all service tickets regarding software issues
  • Primary point of contact for aggregation/drop sites technical support and customer technical support
  • Work with farmer members to ensure their product pages are correctly set-up and appealing to the customer
  • Provide farmer technical support and training
  • Manage production plans in the Local Food Marketplace software

Production Management

  • Work with farmers to promote their products through various marketing opportunities and in conjunction with the Marketing/Sales Manager
  • Work with farmers and customers to provide production planning
  • Recruit new farmers as directed by the General Manager
  • Represent and promote PSFHC to farmers at industry trade shows and conferences

Logistics Coordination

  • Coordinate with aggregation sites/delivery contractors and ensure that reliable systems are in place to facilitate efficient product delivery
  • Manage routes, package labeling, delivery paperwork, and pallet building
  • Enforce food safety and packaging standards per the Guide for Farmers and the PSFHC’s Food Safety Plan
  • Assist with truck loading
  • Available as a backup delivery driver

Facilities Management

  • Ensure compliance with Food Safety Plan
  • Pest management
  • Ensure all Operations equipment and infrastructure is maintained and in good working order
  • Coordination with subtenant Norm Burns Trucking
  • Supervision of Operations staff and coordination with contractors
  • Maintain inventory account of supplies such as reusable totes, coolers, etc.
  • Manage and track products stored at the Operations including farmer’s frozen, cold and dry storage items
  • Pull farmer’s stored products for weekly PSFHC orders and maintain accurate inventory of items

Required skills:

  • 2+ years’ experience in the agriculture business and knowledge of farming practices
  • Excellent computer skills and ability to pick up on new systems and software
  • Self-directed with good organization skills and attention to detail
  • Strong analytical, written and verbal reasoning skills
  • Ability to work well independently and as a team member
  • Flexible, comfortable with change
  • Physically fit, able to lift 40+ lbs

Compensation:

Salary range is dependent on experience and qualifications.  Benefits will be provided in addition to the base salary.

Submit a resume, letter of application, and a list of references to:

Terri Hanson, General Manager
Puget Sound Food Hub Cooperative
PO Box 2924
Mount Vernon, WA  98273
Email:  Terri@AgBizCenter.org

Phone: 360-336-3727

www.pugetsoundfoodhub.com

PUGET SOUND FOOD HUB COOPERATIVE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND PROVIDER OF SERVICES