What are the responsibilities and job description for the Food Donor Relations & Data Specialist position at FORGOTTEN HARVEST?
Summary of Responsibilities: The Food Donor Relations & Data Strategy Specialist is responsible for cultivating, expanding, and retaining food donors to increase rescued food volume and impact. This role combines relationship management, strategic outreach, and data analysis to optimize donor acquisition, performance, and long-term engagement.
Duties/Essential Functions:
• Identify, prospect, and secure new food donors including retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, restaurants, distributions, restaurants, venues, farms and more.
• Develop customized engagement strategies to maximize donation volume and frequency.
• Conduct regular site visits and business reviews with donors.
• Serve as primary liaison to ensure compliance with food safety and donation guidelines.
• Strengthen partnerships through impact reporting and storytelling.
• Analyze donation data to identify trends, gaps, and growth opportunities.
• Track key performance indicators (KPIs) including pounds rescued, frequency, waste rates, and donor retention.
• Develop dashboards and reports to inform strategic decision-making.
• Use data modeling to forecast donation growth and capacity needs.
• Present findings and recommendations to leadership.
• Collaborate with Operations to align donor growth with distribution capacity.
• Develop service area plans targeting high-opportunity sectors.
• Monitor market trends and competitive landscape.
• Support grant reporting by providing accurate donor performance metrics.
Qualifications:
• 4-year degree and/or comparable experience.
• 3–5 years’ experience in account management, business development, nonprofit partnerships, retail grocery, food industry, food banking, or sales.
• Ability to multi-task and manage competing priorities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team with exceptional initiative and sound judgment.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate effectively.
Proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong data analysis skills (Excel, CRM systems, Power BI or similar tools).
• Outstanding organizational skills and demonstrated ability to analyze, deduce, and solve problems.
• Ability to interpret complex datasets and translate them into actionable strategy.
• Excellent telephone etiquette and effective listening skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills; sensitive to the needs of donors, volunteers, and peers.
• Flexible, energetic, creative, with a strong work ethic and the ability to work in fast-paced and sometimes high-pressure environments.
• Must have valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record as determined by FH insurance carrier, valid personal auto insurance, and reliable transportation.
• Self-starter with strong external customer focus.
• Willingness and ability to work occasional evenings and select weekends.
• Represent Forgotten Harvest professionally.
• ServSafe Manager certified must be completed within 2 months.
Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:
• General office working conditions.
• Travel to meetings, appointments, store visits, and other FH locations.
• Must be willing to travel locally within Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties, up to 60% to visit retailers and donors.