Job Description Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative is a nonprofit organic farmers cooperative of 109 farmers in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. We focus on creating healthy high quality foods from our highly maintained and enriched soils on our small scale family farms. LFFC serves all of Eastern Pennsylvania, New York City, and most of the tri state area by connecting the farmer and customer, delivering the best local organic produce, value added products, and humanely raised and pastured animal products to retail establishments, co-ops, restaurants, and institutions.

Description of Work:
This person will implement, direct and oversee local/regional food purchasing, functions, programs and processes within Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative (LFFC). Work involves development and implementation of LFFC purchasing policies and guidelines while establishing operating policies. Must maintain policies and procedures for inventory or other assigned services. Work may involve development and execution of contracts if/as needed. Work will involve the oversight of and in conjunction with Wholesale, CSA, warehousing, receiving, surplus functions, and other LFFC functions.

Duties:

• Purchasing local and regional farm products – Directly working with the Director and Managers of LFFC to run an efficient and centralized purchasing program
• Maintaining inventory and keeping data for CSA/WS – Understanding the buying and coordinating needs of CSA/WS and all other LFFC departments
• Sourcing products – Looking for and helping to create the best high quality sustainable foods in our region while keeping abreast of the market for supply of, and demand of new products
• Getting the best terms (Distribution) from the vendor/farmer – Understanding local/regional food pricing and the value of what LFFC does through each department
• Adequately checks vendor/farmer invoices for cost accuracy on purchase orders and invoice discrepancies before submitting to accounts payable
• Aids departments in forecasting and planning, scheduling deliveries/pick-ups and works with receivers to ensure orders are filled correctly
• Visits vendors/farmers to maintain good relationships:
• Seeks opportunities to further increase discounts and volume
• Creates Stronger Partnerships
• Acts as liaison between vendors and other departments for order status, procurement procedures, and problem resolution
• Ensures all vendors are in compliance with LFFC growing/animal husbandry guidelines
• Works closely with transportation department to ensure timely pickups and the lowest possible delivery/pick up costs
• Researches, evaluates and negotiates with vendors to find the best possible products for LFFC while keeping abreast of the market affecting both supply of, and demand for, needed products
• Aligns with a variety of food hub and local distribution concepts, practices, and procedures
• Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals while performing a variety of tasks

Skills:

• Data Entry - Spreadsheets a must
• Organizational
• Time Management
• Gives effective presentations
• Knowledge of Organic and Sustainable foods
• Marketing/Branding
• Interpersonal Skills

Requirements:

• Must have at least 2 years in a similar role
• Exceptional time management and follow-up skills
• Written and verbal communication
• Proficient with Microsoft Office
• Enthusiasm for and commitment in working with farmers in the local organic food movement

Competencies:

• Leadership Skills: The ability to lead within LFFC and design an adequate purchasing program
• Flexibility – Working varied hours throughout the week to accommodate LFFC department’s needs
• Communication - Is able to communicate to a wide variety of departments, farmers, and vendors
• Works well Independently
• Initiative – Drives to sustain the local food hub model that we created
• Monitors Quality of Goods and Services
• Category management: Arranging or categorizing according to specific goods or services while keeping in mind quality, service, risk and cost
• Analyzing: The ability to visualize, articulates, and solves problems and concepts and makes decisions that make sense based on all available information
• Negotiation skills: The ability to persuade, influence and explore positions and alternatives to reach outcomes that will gain acceptance of all parties and will also meet your LFFC’s strategic procurement objectives.
• Financial: The ability to apply a broad understanding of financial management principals and other information to ensure decisions are responsible and based on LFFC’s procurement budget
• Relationship management: The ability to leverage interpersonal skills to establish and develop relationships with all key members, suppliers, customers & colleagues.

Salary:
$30,000-$33,000 – Negotiable based on experience
Plus competitive benefit package

This job description is intended to describe the general requirements for the performance of this job. It is not a complete statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Other duties, not listed here, may be assigned as necessary to ensure the proper operations of the team. Compensation this position is How to apply Deadlineno deadline