Food Commons Fresno is recruiting local talent

Opportunities Immediately Available

The Food Commons Fresno project is launching a vertically integrated, community-owned and operated enterprise to produce and deliver locally grown fruits and vegetables to residents in the Fresno region. The project is the first prototype of the Food Commons initiative, which is bringing national resources and expertise to bear on the creation in Fresno of an innovative, values-based model for operating, financing, ownership and governance of regional food production assets and infrastructure.

We are currently seeking independent contractors to fill the roles described below beginning immediately.

All applicants for contracted roles should meet the following basic requirements:

• Ability to work independently with minimal direct supervision.
• Ability to work closely with a diverse team of colleagues, community partners, growers, and other business partners.
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
• Passionate about supporting local food system development in the Fresno region.
• Cell phone and computer with internet access available for use in conducting project work.
• Ability to travel to meetings around the region.

Strong preference will be given to applicants with the following attributes:

• Previous operating experience in food and farming businesses.
• Experience with product development, branding, sales and marketing in food-related businesses.
• Understanding of local food markets, particularly in underserved urban and rural neighborhoods.
• Working relationships with San Joaquin Valley growers, distributors, processors, retailers, restaurants and other food-related businesses.
• Familiarity with Food Commons, cooperatives, and other social enterprise business models.

Additional desirable qualifications:

• Skill with spreadsheets, accounting, and financial modeling.
• Experience with social media marketing.

Initial contracts will be for 3-6 months with potential for extension. Contractors will be compensated based on competitive rates.

Interested applicants please send a resume and brief cover letter to fresno@thefoodcommons.org.  Note the title of the role being applied for in the subject line.  Applications received by April 11 will be given immediate consideration; they will be considered on a rolling basis after that date.

Project Direction

Provide overall project oversight and direction; oversee the engagement of funders, partnering organizations, and project contractors. Monitor progress against work plan and grant deliverables. Work with the Food Commons Fresno leadership team to support and build capacity for the vision and mission of the organization. Provide coaching and support the professional development of the project team. Evaluate program components to ensure project success. Serve as a key consulting resource for the strategic business planning and the financial, legal, operational and tactical planning of the organization. Hours may vary, but this role will likely require approximately 15-20 hours/week.

Project Coordination

Provide consistent and ongoing project management support; schedule, develop agendas for and facilitate regular team meetings. Coordinate timely and effective communication among team members, partners, and stakeholders. Coordinate outreach activities and make presentations to the community and key stakeholders. Work closely with consultants focused on project direction and project coordination to develop and track project assignments. Provide ad hoc support for business and trust development activities. Coordinate with consultant focused on business development to foster community ownership of retail locations.  Hours may vary, but this role will likely require approximately 10-20 hours/week.

Strategic Business Development

Multiple roles including:  Work closely across the entire Food Commons Fresno team of partners, advisors, and consultants to coordinate collaborative business development activities.  Advise team on retail, e-commerce, hub, processing and production business strategy, planning, design and development. Help develop the Food Commons Fresno Team’s capacity to lead retail planning, business development, supply chain management system and store launch processes. Coordinate activities of project partners and contractors; support project financing activities, business negotiations, real estate transactions and any construction; help the Food Commons Fresno Team effectively communicate project goals, objectives, progress and outcomes to local and national boards/steering committees, community stakeholders, media and the public. Assist the Food Commons Fresno team with the development and tracking of project assignments; assist with planning, organizing and implementation of public outreach campaigns. Contract terms negotiable; hours may vary depending on specific needs and deliverables.

Strategic Operations Management

Work closely with the Food Commons Fresno business development team to support the build out of retail/hub business start-up and operations.  Coordinate the implementation of point of sale system. Serve as a key resource for managing accounting, vendors and ordering for retail location. Develop training program for and work with the Food Commons Fresno team to ensure strong oversight of all operations functions. Manage retail business start-up and services of the operation.  Review existing basic services and recommend the development of new services, programs as needs emerge. Serve as a key resource for licensure, personnel, contracted resources, finance and day-to-day operations. Assist with planning, organizing and implementation of public outreach campaigns.  Hours may vary, but this role will likely require approximately 20-30 hours/week.

Business Development/Operations Support

Working closely with the Food Commons Fresno Business Development and Operations teams, support retail/hub business development, operating and marketing activities.  Serve as a key team member responsible for ensuring successful development and implementation of business operating and inventory management systems. Hours may vary, but this role will likely require approximately 20-30 hours/week.