Food Resource Manager - Western ND

Position Purpose

Responsible for creating, implementing and managing food acquisition strategies and the allocation

and timely movement of produce and other perishable products to increase the capacity of the Great Plains Food Bank (GPFB) to meet the nutritional needs of people experiencing hunger. This position is directly responsible for building

and fostering relationships with food manufacturers, growers and large and small scale grocery stores; and overseeing acquisition and purchasing programs in western North Dakota.

Core Accountabilities and Essential Duties:

Food Resource Management – Western ND

Oversees western ND incoming food streams specific to growers, manufacturers, large and small scale grocery

stores.

Develops, implements and manages food resourcing strategies and goals to align with the organization’s strategic goals and initiatives.

Monitors, in collaboration with team members, the overall inventory levels of donated, government and purchased product to assure the optimal quantity, nutritional quality and variety of food and non-food products to meet food distribution objectives. 

Tracks, analyzes and reports progress on metrics included in the strategic plan, annual work plans or as otherwise designated.

Researches, tracks, analyzes, and reports on local and national product donor trends and data.

Ensures adequate donor files are maintained and receipts and documentation provided in accordance with GPFB, Feeding America and federal/state guidelines and standards.  

Monitors perishable product acquisition expenses to ensure they remain within budget parameters.

Determines the volume and types of produce and other perishable products needed on a weekly/monthly/quarterly basis to meet plans and objectives for GPFB direct service programs in western ND.

Determines the amount of produce and other perishable products needed on a weekly/monthly/quarterly basis to meet demand from western ND partner feeding programs.

Establish and Build Food Donor Relationships

Fosters relationships with current and potential food donors.

Actively identifies, contacts and solicits prospective food donors with an emphasis on high-demand, nutritious products.

Develops and maintains a system for periodic, predictable, meaningful contact with current and lapsed product donors to

ensure long-term donor retention, strengthen relationships and increase donation levels.

Develops and executes a robust donor recognition program.

Represents the Great Plains Food Bank in associations, organizations and trade shows directly related to enhancing relations with food donors and increasing food donations.

Collaborates with Feeding America, Minnesota cluster of food banks and other food banks on allocations of donations from regional and national donors and sharing surplus products.

Retail Food Rescue Program – Western ND

Oversees the Retail Food Rescue Program, soliciting donations, fostering donor

relationships and ensuring safe and timely pick-up of donations.     

Develops, coordinates and provides training, technical assistance, food safety guidelines and operating processes for participating stores and staff or partner agency pick-up drivers.

Conducts donor visits with staff drivers and partner agency representatives to establish relationships with new stores.

Creates consistency of outreach, store visits and training with retail partners.

Works with operations and agency services departments to develop pick-up plans for staff or partner agencies and to resolve scheduling, pick-up or other issues.  

Works with donors to resolve product quality issues.

Monitors retail food rescue reporting and communicates with partner agency representatives on timely receipting. 

Works closely with operations team to ensure professional and timely pick up of product donations that meet donor requirements

Responds promptly to donor questions, requests or concerns. Works with other departments to resolve donor service or quality problems.

Produce Program

Sources fresh produce from farmers, the Feeding America network, and other food streams

as needed.

Works with growers, packers, farmers markets and others in the agriculture industry to secure and maintain donations of fresh produce.

Works with volunteer services and community partners to coordinate gleaning efforts to pick large plots of produce.

Works with Feeding America and the Minnesota cluster of food banks to share producewith food banks across the network.

Education, Experience and Requirements

Successful candidates for this position must hold a Bachelor’s degree in related field and have two years of experience in sales, food industry or customer service; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Valid driver’s license, ability to travel statewide and flexibility to attend occasional activities in evenings and/or on weekends required.

Skills and Competencies 

• Strong communicator that possesses excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to develop strategic relationships with stakeholders
• Strong customer service skills and willingness to assist others
• Strong organizational skills and detail oriented, yet flexible with an adaptable personal style
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multi-faceted demands and deadlines
• Critical thinking and analytical skills to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or
• approaches to problems
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to build collaboration across teams and departments

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel in this position. The Great Plains Food Bank reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the actual duties, responsibilities, qualifications and work assignments as deemed appropriate and necessary, and to make reasonable accommodation so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the position.   

The only food bank in the state of North Dakota, the Great Plains Food Bank recovers food that otherwise would go to waste from a range of food industry partners and through its programs and services distributes it to those in need throughout North Dakota and Clay County, Minn. Working with volunteers, food and financial donors, community champions and advocates, we are committed to serving the people in our region each day. With your help, we can achieve our goal of a hunger-free North Dakota and Clay County, Minn.