Company description

Established in 1991, CADE is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization operating for more than 25 years. CADE envisions a vibrant food system in which locally owned agricultural businesses thrive and consumers are nourish by healthy, sustainably produced food - in perpetuity. Our mission is to increase the number and diversity of successful farm enterprises and related businesses in New York.

 

CADE represents a community of agricultural entrepreneurs and specialists who value:

• Sustainability
• Collaboration
• Inclusion
• Transparency
• Innovation

 

Our approach is to increase the “Triple Bottom Line” of agricultural development:

• Increasing profit margins of farm business through efficient production systems, effective marketing and distribution programs and sound business principles;
• Promoting sound environmental production practices such as low input, organic, grass-based livestock production, watershed runoff protection, and improved distribution of the lower “food-miles” thus reducing energy consumption; and
• Engendering positive social outcomes such as job creation, generational farm transition, positive connections between farmers and consumers, health benefits of local foods, and locally circulating dollars.

Job description

The Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship (CADE) seeks a full-time Senior Program Manager to deliver an array of business development services to agribusinesses and entrepreneurs aspiring to develop or expand their operations each year through CADE’s Farm and Food Business Incubator (FFBI), in partnership with SUNY Cobleskill. Our goal is for farm and food businesses to compete and thrive, contributing to a sustainable regional food system and strong local economy. The position is based at CADE’s office in Oneonta, NY (www.cadefarms.org).

 

Responsibilities

• Providing customized assistance to agribusinesses on business and financial plan development; marketing support; access to capital; food safety standards; rules and regulations; farm transition and farmland acquisition; industry-specific, market informed services; sustainable best practices, and other work to support thriving agribusinesses
• Delivering the above services by:
  • Organizing CADE’s annual workshop series and scaling it through use of technology--widening our client reach and impact
  • Providing one-on-one mentoring and consultation
  • Providing fundraising support and referrals to assist agribusinesses to gain access to capital--from identifying and promoting funding opportunities through CADE’s newsletter, to assisting partners with developing competitive grant proposals, to referring businesses to low interest loan programs, to investor/producer matchmaking
• Working with the client from start to finish to manage all aspects of the FFBI program, from the FFBI web-based application system used for client intake, to processing requests, arranging meetings with clients, conducting needs assessments, providing technical assistance and/or referrals, etc.
• Initiating and managing relations with farm and food businesses, networks of service providers, and other food system stakeholders as the primary FFBI program contact
• Supporting concept-to-pilot value-added food production development assistance, including collecting/synthesizing market research; recipe development; facilitated scheduled process authorization; brand development; referrals to co-packing facilities for small batch production; and retail pilot of developed products in partnership with SUNY Cobleskill
• Developing evaluation tools to assess and report on qualitative and quantitative impacts on programming as well as stories of change
• Supporting all aspects of program communications, from promoting opportunities to agribusinesses, to spotlighting client successes through CADE’s e-newsletters, social media, and traditional media
• Staying regularly informed of agribusinesses’ needs to inform CADE’s ongoing programs

 

Qualifications

• At least 3-5 years experience in running a successful farm and food business and/or delivering services and solutions to agribusinesses with a demonstrated record of success  
• Knowledge of diverse, profitable agribusiness models especially those that aggregate products/commodities, such as cooperatives or brokerage models
• Proficiency in business, marketing, and financial plan development
• Experience with facilitating private and public investment in farm and food business operations
• Comfort in developing or assessing profit/loss statements, setting financial projections, and advising clients on all aspects of finance and budgeting
• Experience in managing client relations, overseeing consultants or other service providers, and/or engaging high profile stakeholders
• Excellent facilitation, mentoring, and leadership skills
• Outstanding program/project management skills
• Bachelor’s degree required, ideally in Agricultural Sciences, Business, Economic Development, or related field; Master’s degree a plus
• Passion for excellence and a spirit of entrepreneurialism
• Highly discreet in managing relations with farm businesses, including in financial matters
• Self-starting, highly motivated, big picture-oriented while attentive to detail
• Able to work well independently as well as part of a team
• Able to travel regionally to conduct site visits to area farms

 

Salary

Salary commensurate with experience. Position includes health and dental insurance.

CADE is an equal opportunity employer committed to complying with all federal, state, and local equal employment opportunity laws. CADE prohibits discrimination against any employee and considers applications for all positions without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, military status, height and weight, religion, genetic predisposition or carrier status, arrest record, or any other legally protected status. People of color, persons with disabilities, veterans, women, and LGBT applicants are encouraged to apply.

Compensation this position is : salaried, varies DOE, $47,000.00 - $50,000.00 Work visa This employer is willing to sponsor a work visa for international applicants Application instructions DeadlineNovember 12, 2018