Organizational Info

Farm Fresh has grown briskly since achieving 501c3 status in 2007, to capture the public interest in locally grown food and translate it into sales for local and regional farmers and producers. Strongly mission-driven, Farm Fresh RI hosts a variety of programs to enhance the local food system, with particular attention to farm viability and low-income access to fresh food. Farm Fresh also operates a range of marketplace programs (retail, wholesale, processing) that engage and connect tens of thousands of eaters with thousands of farmers and food producers across the Northeast region.

Mission: Farm Fresh Rhode Island is growing a local food system that values the environment, health, and quality of life of farmers and eaters in our region.

Vision: A Northeast region abundant with diverse family farms and fertile soils, with locally and honestly produced foods and flavors at the heart of every dinner table.

Farm Fresh Rhode Island is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment for all employees. We encourage inquiries from candidates who will enrich and contribute to the cultural and ethnic diversity of our organization. Farm Fresh RI does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, or disability status in employment or programming. Farm Fresh Rhode Island is an Equal Opportunity Provider.

Position Summary

Farm Fresh Rhode Island is seeking a Market Mobile Program Director who will be responsible for the oversight of all local food wholesale and residential aggregation distribution programs at Farm Fresh RI.  

Market Mobile is Farm Fresh's transparent local food distribution system that connects farmers and food producers in the New England region with residential customers and wholesale buyers like chefs, grocers, schools, hospitals, and farm stands. Market Mobile combines an e-commerce platform with a fleet of customer service, warehouse, and delivery staff to help farmers focus on farming while also increasing sales of locally produced value-added foods. 

The Market Mobile Program Director will report to the Senior Director of Programs and Operations and will provide leadership in developing, managing, and growing the projects and operations of Market Mobile. They will oversee a team of staff working to grow the local food system by maintaining and developing key partnerships, seeking new connections, and ensuring services are running smoothly. The Market Mobile Program Director will be a critical member of the Farm Fresh management team and will serve as a key external face of Farm Fresh in the community. They will work closely with the Senior Management team to ensure the long-term success and viability of Market Mobile initiatives while also carrying out the nonprofit mission of Farm Fresh RI.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Program Planning, Execution, and Budget Management (30% time)

• Oversee implementation of current Market Mobile programming including Restaurant, Residential, Farm to School and Farm to Institution programs; and work with Senior Management Team on new program development.
• Develop, monitor, and update annual Market Mobile work plan and activity forecasting tools.
• Ensure Market Mobile activities maintain compliance for safe food handling, labor law, and other manufacturing requirements.
• Support the development and collection of internal and external program feedback.
• In partnership with the Senior Management Team, support budget development and monitoring for Market Mobile initiatives.
• Work with Senior Management Team and other Farm Fresh program leads on strategic planning for the growth and development of Market Mobile.

Market Mobile Team Management (40% time)

• Directly supervise 5 full-time employees to plan and coordinate the work of all Market Mobile warehouse, driver, and part-time administrative staff as well as AmeriCorps members, interns, and volunteers.
• Lead the recruitment, supervision and evaluation, training, and team-building of all Market Mobile team members.
• Instill a sense of accountability among team members by modeling tight oversight of individual and organizational performance standards.
• Schedule, prepare agendas, and facilitate internal team meetings.
• Work alongside packing staff to support order processing and packing as needed. 

External Engagement & Partnerships (30%)

• Support targeted sales outreach for Market Mobile farmers and producers.
• Source product from local farmers and producers to meet demand by customers.
• Act as an ambassador for the Market Mobile program by planning and executing special events and tours with partners.
• Maintain key external partnerships with state agencies, food incubators, regional food hubs, schools, and institutional customers.
• Work closely with the Community Education Program Director to support RI Farm to School program activities.
• Partner with the Communications Director to develop and lead Market Mobile outreach initiatives

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed to Perform this Role

• An entrepreneurial spirit, interest in growing and developing programs and systems
• Willingness and ability to work a flexible schedule
• Ability to build relationships with people from varied cultural, economic, educational, racial, and religious backgrounds
• Must have excellent professional communication skills
• Great attention to detail
• Self-starter and ability to maintain a self-motivating attitude
• Ability to collaborate and work as part of a team
• Excellent time-management skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Google Suite
• Ability to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a vibrant work environment

Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s work environment is fast-paced and collaborative. We value creative thinking, approach our work with energetic spirit, and strive to have fun together while we’re at it!

Physical Demands (Physical, Mental & Environmental)

The following capabilities are required in order to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden on the company are available to address the following requirements.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit/stand for long periods of time at a desk; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls on computers; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear in meetings and on the telephone or on the computer in an office or variable setting.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Employees must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Occasional ability to travel, which may include travel via car or train.

Benefits:

• 15 days PTO and 14 paid company holidays
• Monthly contributions to flexible health, dental and life insurance plans
• Annual professional development credit and opportunities
• IRA Matching contribution after 2 years of employment