Indiana University is hiring 5 value chain professionals to focus on values-aligned purchasing for institutions across Indiana. Working in partnership with the Indiana Value Chain Network and institutional partners, the VCPs will address regionalized food system needs using an asset-based approach to create resiliency and sustained procurement of local, socially responsible foods. Each VCP will implement value chain strategies and be responsible for avid communication, transparency, and trust-building behavior with numerous stakeholders in regional, statewide, and multi-state networks.
Job Summary
Ideal applicants are mindful and practice servant and facilitative leadership styles to provide service to farmers, food businesses, buyers, administrators, purchasing managers, and peers. Ideal applicants have working knowledge of some aspect of the food system in production, coordination, purchasing, preparation, or serving of food.
Department- Specific Responsibilities
Continual communication with suppliers, buyers, and food businesses located in geographical and ethical supply chains throughout Indiana.
Peer to peer learning, sharing, and leadership of Indiana Value Chain Network.
Creates and implements of numerous strategies to address resilient regional food supply chains and increase purchasing of locally sourced foods.
Thorough attention to data collection and use of data in strategies for shifting food purchasing behaviors.
Ability to develop and maintain trust-based relationships because you are reliable and follow-through with commitment and opportunities.
Buyer Landscape
Works with key institutional partners, the value chain professional will implement a thoughtful approach to values-aligned purchasing for food services including sourcing from local farmers, food businesses, aggregators, and distributors.
Using best practices and in conjunction with institutional departments, convene and/or attend meetings to understand challenges and work through solutions.
Gathers and reports data on buyer challenges, motivations, and successes and utilize data to share with other buyers on best practices.
Develops action plan and strategies that will build on current assets and buyer supplier capacities and interest to realize procurement goals.
Farmer Landscape
Works with regional farmers, food producers, suppliers, processors, distributors, and aggregators, the value chain professional will implement an outreach plan to inform the farming community about pilot and/or secure institutional market opportunities and work through supplier challenges to realize increased sales.
Coordinates production planning with interested suppliers in conjunction with buyers which may include launching a virtual or physical aggregation site for buyers to connect with regional suppliers.
Organizes in-person and virtual trainings for farmers with subject matter experts to increase their market readiness and success.
Connects farmers with local/regional experts and resources to help troubleshoot issues.
Creates, administers, and tracks coordinated production plans and secure corresponding grower agreements that match farmers' interest and experience level.
Maintains ongoing communications with produce farmers regarding planting and harvesting schedules, quality requirements and rejections, GHP/GAP and regulatory compliance, post-harvest handling procedures, packaging and labeling standards, and delivery.
Maintain songoing communications with protein and dairy farmers and ranchers regarding within production supply chain opportunities, processing, distribution and storage.
Delivers appropriate referrals for growers interested in direct to consumer market channels.
Farmer Landscape
Hosts events that connect buyers and suppliers, and the public and nonprofit organizations that can/do support regionalized food supply chains.
Provides continuous support, communication, and strategy for buyers, suppliers and middle of supply chain businesses such as aggregators, distributors, processors and storage facilities.
Communicates with private distributors to develop new or tap into existing delivery routes that distribute produce between food hubs and/or to end markets.
Professionally represents Indiana University and the Indiana Value Chain Network during community outreach meetings, conferences, and other events.
Demonstrates and integrates commitment to equity and equitable practices throughout the work.
General Responsibilities
Serves as liaison to key stakeholders in public and private sectors on partnership opportunities advancing institutional initiatives. Initiates and maintains frequent interactions with relevant partners ensuring strong collaborative relationships and focus.
Develops knowledge of issues and needs of initiatives, programs, and partners to make appropriate connections with university and external resources.
Serves as a community resource facilitating programs, providing technical assistance, and ensuring communication to optimize project outcomes.
Collaborates with university and external partners to identify funding needs and potential sources; participates in developing external funding proposals with education and outreach component.
Communicates partner expectations with unit leadership to assist in operationalizing project outcomes; collaborates in the timely delivery of logistical, budgetary, and support functions.
Determines and tracks key project metrics and assists in analysis and report development.
May provide guidance to lower-level Institutional Advancement Consultants.
Qualifications
Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.
EDUCATION
Required
Bachelor's degree in related field
WORK EXPERIENCE
Required
2 years experience in outreach, engagement, public relations, or related field
Preferred
5 years experience in food supply chains, food business ownership or entrepreneurship, food service management and other related work
SKILLS
Required
Proficient communication skills
Maintains a high degree of professionalism
Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
Ability to represent the company with external constituents
Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
Highly thorough and dependable
Preferred
Proficiency with basic software and technology including MS Office Suite, Google Drive, smart phones, copier, webinar platforms, etc.
Dependable and resilient self-starter with an interest and experience in taking on new challenges and overcoming obstacle with little supervision
Comfortable being in a highly flexible work environment and have ability to respond to needs while maintaining balance of the work
Demonstrates ability to network and collaborate with multi-agency/state initiatives
Ability to present information clearly and concisely to groups of farmers, buyers, etc
Solid business acumen
Ability and willingness to travel extensively to meet with stakeholders in region and across the state
Knowledge of and comfort with agriculture production, farms and farmers
Experience selling to, buying from, and/or operating a food hub
Experience in food services where local procurement was central to the operation
Leadership skills with proven project and team management
Familiarity and/or experience in postharvest handling, wholesale produce quality standards, regulatory compliance, and GHP/GAP food safety regulations
Working Conditions / Demands
This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.
Additional Information
Please contact Jodee Smith, for additional information including a map of work zones.
Work Location
This is an in-person position that requires daily travel and connection with peers, farmers, buyers, and others in the regional supply chain. Applicants must reside in the state of Indiana.
Advertised Salary
$55,000 - $65,000 per year based on experience
Benefits Overview
For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:
Multiple plan options for medical insurance
Dental insurance
Health Savings Account with generous IU contribution
Life insurance, LTD, and AD&D options
Base retirement plan contribution from IU, subject to vesting
Additional supplemental retirement plan options
Tuition benefit for IU classes
10 paid holidays per year
Generous Paid Time Off
Paid Parental Leave
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Learn more about our benefits by reviewing our online Benefits Brochure.
Job Classification
Career Level: Career
FLSA: Exempt
Job Function: Development & Advancement
Job Family: Institutional Advancement
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Posting Disclaimer
This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.
If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Indiana University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission, as required by Title IX. Questions or complaints regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the university Title IX Coordinator. See Indiana University's Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.
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