Assistant Procurement Manager @ Coastal Foodshed

Job Description Position: Assistant Procurement Manager

Organizational History:
Coastal Foodshed is a non-profit local food hub based in New Bedford,
MA. Our mission is to strengthen the local food economy by making it easier for growers to sell,
and consumers to buy healthy, affordable, local foods, with a focus on making locally grown
and made food more equitably accessible to marginalized and/or food insecure households in
New Bedford. We operate year-round in-person and online markets that are accessible not only
to New Bedford residents, but also to the Southcoast. CFS manages farmers markets and
mobile farm stands in addition to an online farmers market with delivery services.

All of our markets accept SNAP and the Healthy Incentive Program (HIP), in addition to other
nutrition incentive programs. We work hard to make local food accessible for everyone
regardless of income, and create markets where farmers can sell either directly, or through
wholesale channels. We simply want to make local food easier to buy and believe everyone
should have equal access to it.

Project Summary:
Coastal Foodshed was recently awarded The Local Food Purchase Assistance
Cooperative Agreement Program grant from the MA Department of Agricultural Resources.
With this funding, CFS will work through their existing network of more than 65 local farmers
and local food entrepreneurs to purchase local meats, eggs, dairy, and pantry items to
distribute free of charge at farmers market and mobile farm stand locations to increase
awareness of, and foot traffic to CFS’ locations. In addition, CFS will be distributing weekly to
PACE’s Food Bank. Through a robust marketing campaign, and the distribution of items free of
charge, the goal is to increase foot traffic to Coastal Foodshed’s locations where new customers
will also have the opportunity to purchase other local foods and learn about the Healthy
Incentives Program.

Position Summary:
Coastal Foodshed is seeking a full-time, Assistant Procurement Manager to assist
with the coordination and implementation of the LFPA grant project. The position will primarily
work directly with the Sales and Procurement Director to procure and source local foods
specifically for this project, while also recruiting and engaging new farmers- with a focus on
socially disadvantaged farmers. This position will be responsible for attending markets to
distribute local food boxes while also working with PACE to distribute to their food bank.
The applicant must be able to prioritize and handle a variety of assignments simultaneously in a
dynamic work environment and be willing to work with people from varied backgrounds. An
ideal candidate will be energetic, outgoing, organized, and passionate about community
connections, local food systems, particularly food access and food security mission driven
work.

Project Responsibilities:
• Identify farmers and producers to source local product from for distribution at CFS
markets and PACE’s food bank
• Recruit new farmers and producers with a focus on socially disadvantaged farmers
• Order local food including meat, dairy, eggs, produce, etc. under the supervision of the
Procurement Director
• Pick-up orders at farms and receive deliveries from suppliers and producers
• Drive the CFS vehicle to market sites to set up for distribution at markets
• Distribute local food boxes at CFS market sites and weekly pickups with PACE’s food
bank.
• Provide quality control and monitoring of products at food hub and on site at markets
• Assist with aggregation prep, sorting, inventory, and packing products for distribution
• Educate customers during distribution days regarding SNAP/HIP, CFS markets, local food
systems, etc.
• Collect data/feedback from customers/vendors for grant reporting
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation to comply with food safety regulations

Skills Required:
• Be outgoing and able to build relationships with people from varied cultural, economic,
educational, racial, and religious backgrounds
• Be able to work effectively on a team
• Have excellent verbal communication and customer service skills
• Have strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Be able to bend and lift loads up to 50 pounds and work in adverse weather
conditions
• Have access to reliable transportation
• Have a valid driver’s license
• Available to work Saturdays
• Passion for Coastal Foodshed’s mission and food systems work
• Farming, foodservice, and customer service experience preferred

Hours/Benefits:
This is a full-time, exempt, salaried position with a range of $43,680-$45,760. Weekend work
is required. Benefits include SIMPLE IRA retirement plan after 1-year, paid vacation/holidays,
sick leave, professional development, and access to some of the best local food around!
Please note: This position is grant funded and it is limited in time to the duration of the 18-
month grant period unless an extension is needed and granted. There is high potential for
this position to turn into a year-round staffed position.

How to Apply:
Please send a resume and a cover letter explaining why you would like to work in this position at CFS to [email protected] with subject line: " Assistant Procurement Manager" in the subject line. Interested candidates must submit these two items in order to be considered for the position. We are looking to hire immediately and the position will remain open until filled.

Coastal Foodshed vales a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace and strongly encourages
women, people of color, LGBTQ+ folks, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities,
foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. Applicants will not be discriminated against
because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age,
religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status,
medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

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