Job Description:
Feeding Texas is a statewide, 501(c)(3) nonprofit leading a unified effort for a hunger-free Texas. We feed millions of struggling Texans through our statewide network of food banks; strengthen the collective response to hunger through collaboration and scaling success; and lead the public conversation to solve hunger in our state.
The Produce Sharing Program is a cooperative program between Feeding Texas and its members to supply fresh produce to food banks, both within and outside the state of Texas, focusing on quantity, quality, and variety.
Come make a difference in peoples' lives as the Director of Supply Chain, located in Austin, TX.
The Director of Supply Chain will direct the Produce Sharing Program, a statewide initiative to source and distribute surplus fresh produce throughout our network of 21 member food banks and beyond; provide internal leadership as part of the executive team; and support external food sourcing and operations activities of member food banks.
The Director of Supply Chain must be a strong leader with significant operations and business development experience to shepherd the Program from the conceptual phase to implementation and optimization. He or she must be a strategic, out-of-the-box thinker with strong communication skills and personal integrity, who is adept at developing and nurturing trust-based relationships, and brings a passion for the Feeding Texas mission.
Strong analytical skills and the ability to make data-driven decisions are imperative. In-depth knowledge of the agricultural industry and fresh produce in particular, operations and management experience, ability to lead an external team, and desire to travel are required. A working knowledge of food banking and the non-profit sector is highly desirable.
To apply, please include a cover letter, resume and salary expectations on one document.
Compensation/Salary:
DOE
Responsibilities & Duties:
Produce Sourcing & Distribution
- Ensure that the supply of fresh produce meets or exceeds member demands, reflecting a diverse array of seasonally appropriate commodities.
- Supervise the Produce Program Manager to proactively ensure any supply, transportation, cost, logistical or quality issues are addressed immediately.
- Supervise the work of the Food Sourcing Team, located in the Rio Grande Valley, the major growing region in Texas, to meet or exceed food sourcing goals, by obtaining the greatest possible quantity and variety of free and low-cost produce for food banks.
- Develop and maintain mutually supportive relationships with Management, Food Sourcing, and Operations staff at the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, to ensure a high level of communication and cooperation to capture the maximum amount of surplus product available in the Rio Grande Valley and imports from Mexico.
- Develop and maintain mutually supportive relationships with Management, Food Sourcing and Operations staff at all other Food Banks in agriculture rich areas from which the Food Sourcing Team is desirous of procuring product.
- Build new and continually enhance relationships with growers, packers, importers, and U.S. Customs officials.
- Work directly with growers and packers as appropriate to solicit donations and negotiate the lowest possible costs.
- Develop out-of-state distribution by working with non-member food banks in neighboring states and with Feeding America, co-manage related product offerings and shipments.
- Collaborate with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer in annual planning, goal attainment, and Program development.
- Manage Program to maintain high product quality standards and minimize unusual events, such as rejected loads.
- Ensure the Program is supported by effective administrative systems.
Drive Strategy & Program Growth
- Work with members to ensure a high level of commitment to the Produce Sharing Program and adherence to Program Policy and Procedures; identify emerging trends and unmet needs; and proactively respond by developing and enhancing program services.
- Analyze data to inform Program decisions and vision.
- Coordinate product and budget forecasting with members food banks to ensure a high level of demand and adequate opportunities for shared and/or mixed loads to meet the needs of smaller food banks.
- Create, manage and promote annual marketing and a strategic outreach plan for the Program.
- Assist in fund development and grant management as appropriate.
Management and Communications
- Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team to provide leadership and coordination in the management, planning, and development efforts for Feeding Texas.
- Ensure strong, effective, trust-based working relationships with member food banks.
- Proactively provide information and technical assistance and training to members, and ensure members have adequate information to assist in their operations, planning and supply management.
- Develop and help manage critical partner relationships with organizations such as the Texas Department of Agriculture, Feeding America, produce trade associations, Farm Bureaus and other agricultural organizations.
- Participate and provide support to the Board Produce Committee.
- Maintain and expand product and agricultural system knowledge, and create opportunities to impart knowledge to membership and relevant staff.
- Communicate clearly and professionally with food banks, suppliers, staff and partners.
Travel
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 30-40% of the time on the job.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and levels of work to be performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties.
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in a related field.
- 7-10 years management experience, preferably with nonprofits, with a minimum of 5 years experience in food distribution or produce supply chain operations.
- Professional experience in the produce industry at the retail or wholesale level preferred.
Skills:
- Advanced data analytics, organization and management skills.
- Understanding of agricultural industry workings and culture.
- Knowledge of food warehousing and transportation.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively and effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds.
- Strong computer skills, including Outlook, Word and Excel, and working knowledge of current industry warehousing, distribution and logistics software.
- Attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to work in high volume, time critical processing environment.
- Ability to work individually and as part of a team.
- Positive, professional oral and written communication skills.
- Good organizational and time management skills.
- Ability to work at a detailed level to further vision and strategic goals.
- Commitment to Feeding Texas mission.
Feeding Texas is an equal opportunity employer.
Qualifications:
- Strategic Leading – Able to formulate and apply strategic diplomacy to achieve organizational goals. Identifies areas for improvement of program execution and efficiency. Communicates strategic goals to all parties of interest to ensure accurate implementation of program design and purpose.
- Influential – Leads and defines the vision of the produce program. Communicates the value of the program and aligns defined standards to ensure they are upheld. Shares lessons learned as needed for applicable negotiations. Mentors others and is also open to self growth as a mentee. Nurtures internal and external partnerships with key stakeholders to execute the strategic plan.
- Critical Thinking – Asks pertinent questions while working with a high degree of ambiguity; Competent in identifying new systematic solutions; Listens carefully, solicits and incorporates feedback from others; Suspends judgment until all facts have been gathered and considered.
- Metrics Orientation – Drives focus and strategy for optimizing program budget, resulting in reports that illustrate the program’s current state and opportunities to key stakeholders.
- Integrity – Exhibits honesty and truthfulness when interacting with coworkers, customers, and stakeholders. Displays high ethical standards and provides clear expectations of team to support the same.
- Accountability – Sets clearly defined goals and measures results against communicated goals. Overcomes resistance by utilizing skilled change management techniques. Highly self motivated and drives expected level of motivation in team.
