Job description

About La Cocina:

La Cocina, a shared-use commercial kitchen and business incubator for low-income food entrepreneurs, is seeking a Retail and Communications Program Coordinator. Our mission is to assist low-income Latina, minority, and women microentrepreneurs in achieving economic self sufficiency by giving them access to affordable licensed commercial kitchen space, and to the training, technical assistance, and the access to new markets they need to turn their businesses into livelihoods.

La Cocina opened its doors to program participants in 2005; in 2008 we obtained our own 501 (C) 3 and successfully transitioned to operating independently. The new Retail and Communications Program Coordinator will coordinate all of La Cocina’s retail operations including gift boxes, the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, and the Cart Vending Program. Additionally, this position will work with participants in the Incubator program.

About the position:

The Retail and Communications Program Coordinator will work with the Program Manager and Executive Director to provide goal planning and technical assistance to incubator program participants, develop the retail components of La Cocina’s program, manage La Cocina’s communications and facilitate access to market opportunities for La Cocina program participants. This role includes a significant event management component in relation to the San Francisco Street Food Festival.

The position has a retail and bottom-line driven focus with programmatic case management as well. We are looking for someone who is hungry to bring low-income entrepreneurs the visibility, success and recognition they deserve in the food industry. The ideal candidate will be motivated to expand La Cocina’s retail presence, increase the financial viability of the businesses within La Cocina and have an eye on the bottom line. This position reports directly to the Program Manager with management from the Executive Director.

Responsibilities:

Program Implementation and Cart Vending (Approximately 40% of the Position)

• Provide one-on-one goal planning, technical assistance and access to markets and capitol to a group of up to 15 La Cocina program participants on a monthly basis
• Facilitate the cart vending relationships at Dolores Park, Justin Herman Plaza and Golden Gate Park
• Participate in the recruitment and outreach to program participants for the incubator program and any cart vending programs.
• Participate in and occasionally lead orientations, workshops and field trips for program participants

Retail Sales and Event Coordination (Approximately 40% of the Position)

• Manage inventory, sales and growth at all retail outlets. Including, but not limited to, sales at Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market, sublease of carts in parks and La Cocina gift basket program
• Help Kitchen and Facilities manager implement La Cocina catering programs
• Explore and create additional earned income streams for La Cocina, the organization
• Explore and create additional access to market opportunities for La Cocina program participants
• Monitor budgeting for all La Cocina retail channels
• Contribute leadership to La Cocina’s San Francisco Street Food Festival: manage meetings, work with vendors and non-profit partners

Communications (Approximately 20% of the Position)

• Oversee La Cocina website
• Distribute and update La Cocina newsletter on a monthly basis
• Craft and distribute workshop announcements, cooking class schedules and other communications as necessary Qualifications: The ideal candidate needs to meet the following requirements:
• Bilingual in Spanish and English
• An ability to communicate personally and intimately with our program participants as well as an innate understanding or willingness to learn the San Francisco food scene.
• At least 3 years of experience in retail food sales or relevant sales and/or marketing experience.
• Ability to communicate eloquently both orally and in writing (Spanish writing as well).
• Highly organized with excellent time and space management skills.
• Knowledgeable in MS Excel and Word
• Food industry knowledge

The ideal candidate will have the following professional experience and personal qualities:

• Good people and conflict resolution skills. Job requires constant interaction with program participants.
• Patience, flexibility and a good sense of humor
• Culturally competent
• A passion for great food and a willingness to taste anything
• Ability to speak passionately and articulately about our mission

Compensation and Time Requirements:
Salary: $35--$42,000 DOE, with excellent benefit package, including health and dental.
Hours: full-time Tuesday through Saturday
Website: www.lacocinasf.org

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