Company description

Shared Ground Farmers' Co-op (SGFC) is a marketing and distribution cooperative majority-owned by Latino farms in MN and western WI. We market our farms’ sustainably grown produce to restaurants, grocery outlets, farm to school programs and other wholesale accounts in the Twin Cities and direct to consumers through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.

SGFC has had success at building a strong foundation for a thriving Farmers’ Cooperative in the Twin Cities and has spent the last five years developing a strong network of a diverse group of farmers and a cooperative structure where the farmers are placed at the center of power. We have also built a network of strong organizational partnerships and markets that support our vision and values. We are looking to build on this success in the years ahead and are searching for a dynamic individual who can bring enthusiasm, experience, and vision to our work of farmer empowerment, economic opportunity, and justice.

Job description

RESPONSIBILITIES

The ongoing responsibilities of the SGFC Sales & Marketing Coordinator include, but are not limited to:

 

Sales:

• Actively engage, maintain, and build buyer relationships, both wholesale and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), to ensure continued success and growth of SGFC’s sales income
• Ensure the continued excellence of SGFC as a premier local foods supplier through above and beyond customer service, brand standards, and partner relationships.
• Coordinating weekly sales from multiple buyers including sending out weekly sales emails, performing sales calls, and aggregating sales orders to ensure SGFC’s inventory and farmers’ harvestable produce is being sold
• Work collaboratively and maintain clear, consistent and timely communications with SGFC’s Purchasing Coordinator to coordinate weekly sales and deliveries and ensure farmers’ and buyers needs are being met
• Coordinate all product contracts and price negotiations in agreement with Purchasing Coordinator and farmers, staying in line with SGFC’s mission
• Coordinate and further develop SGFC’s winter product sales program in coordination with SGFC’s Purchasing Coordinator
• Actively recruit members, business partners, and site hosts to SGFC’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program
• Respond to CSA member and site host emails, calls and requests as needed
• Develop annual Sales projections and goals, bi-monthly price comparisons, monthly board reports, and effective systems to track sales and goals
• Regularly evaluate SGFC progress on key strategic initiatives and sales goals
• Perform annual buyer satisfaction meetings

 

Marketing:

• Coordinate all SGFC marketing efforts and uphold all brand standards to ensure the Cooperative and its farmers remain a high quality, trusted source of local foods
• Maintain and develop new marketing materials as needed including performing or coordinating graphic design efforts
• Coordinate all marketing communication including social media, website, media relations, event promotions, and sending weekly CSA member newsletters, ensuring that the voice of the farmers is always at the forefront
• Attend marketing events to promote the SGFC brand and programs
• Develop annual Marketing Plan
• Research and develop new product offerings, programs and partnerships that will continue to develop the SGFC brand and achieve strategic initiatives and goals

 

QUALIFICATIONS

 

Required:

• Demonstrated experience in sales and marketing, preferably in local foods.
• Outstanding customer service, communication and people skills with a proven track record of going above and beyond.
• Working knowledge of restaurant, grocery, and wholesaler distributors and their processes.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and timelines and keep the big picture in mind while focusing on the details.
• Passion for food, agriculture, and working towards social, economic, and food justice.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a dynamic multi-cultural and multi-stakeholder environment.
• An entrepreneurial attitude, flexibility, and the ability to work in a demanding, fast-paced, and mission-centered environment.

 

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of experience in the fields of local foods, food and beverage, cooperative business, and/or similar industries.
• Experience in the Twin Cities local food scene.
• Knowledge of food safety and quality standards.
• Ability to communicate in Spanish.

 

Working Environment:

SGFC’s warehouse and office are in the same building. We have a large shared-office space with the Twin Cities Mobile Market. During the growing season the warehouse can be very busy and it would be expected that the Purchasing Coordinator be willing and able to help out in the warehouse when called upon. SGFC is intimately connected to its farmers and the seasonal workload is similar to a farming season. The months of June – October are vital months to the Cooperative’s business model and it would be expected that the Sales & Marketing Coordinator understand that reality.

 

Salary/Benefits:

SGFC is looking for a year round split ¾ schedule: 40 hr/wk June-October & 20 hr/wk November-May.   Exact amount of hours worked will depend on candidate preference but would be between 20 to 40 hours per week depending on the month. Salary would be $35,000 - $38,000 annually, depending on experience. SGFC currently offers a tax free health insurance benefit for employees to be used for individual health insurance premiums or to cover qualified medical expenses.

Compensation this position is : hourly, $15/hr + Work visa This employer is willing to sponsor a work visa for international applicants Application instructions DeadlineMarch 11, 2019