Produce Buyers Club and Communications Manager- AmeriCorps VISTA

Must apply via this link: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?fromSearch=true&id=104786

About Concrete Jungle 

Concrete Jungle (CJ) transforms overlooked and underutilized fruit trees and land into a healthy food source for communities in need. We provide fresh produce to food-insecure families by distributing produce from fruit trees and farms throughout the region; growing food on our farm and orchard; and providing nutrition education resources. As of December 2022, Concrete Jungle has distributed over 1,750,000 pounds of fresh, nutritious food.

About AmeriCorps VISTA

AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) is a national service program all about helping individuals reach their fullest potential. VISTA is designed to build the capacity of an organization and enhance its ability to serve the community. VISTA members serve full-time (~40 hours/week) for one full year and is an especially great opportunity for individuals at the beginning or a turning point in their career, or who are looking to gain experience in the nonprofit sector. Benefits include paid time off, professional development, relocation allowance, healthcare and childcare options. For a complete list of benefits, visit: https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/vista/benefits. 

In addition to the living allowance provided by AmeriCorps, Concrete Jungle offers an additional monthly stipend. 

Produce Buyers Club and Communications Manager 

This Concrete Jungle VISTA project will help alleviate poverty and decrease food-insecurity across Georgia by 1) spearheading strategies to improve and establish a sustainable model for our produce purchasing program (Produce Buyers Club), and 2) lead our communication efforts. 

The CJ VISTA will build capacity by: 

• Conducting research, managing sales, and implementing strategies for sustainability with our Produce Buyers Club program.
• Creating strategies for and oversee organization-wide communication activities to grow, educate, and engage CJ’s audience and stakeholders.

This being the final year of our VISTA program, there is potential for this role to transition to an employee position at the end of the service term in 2024. 

VISTA Project Objectives

Produce Buyers Club – Strategy and Growth Support:

AmeriCorps VISTA will support work to establish a sustainable model and growth strategy for Produce Buyers Club.

Member Activities:

1. Review Produce Buyers Club operational and background materials.
2. Develop sales and marketing materials, including brochures, powerpoint presentations, social media content, and more.
3. Collect and synthesize market research and feedback from current buyers via surveys, site visits and agency meetings.
4. Conduct outreach to potential farmers, buying organizations, and transportation vendors.
5. Support grant reporting for program funding by tracking and providing program data and spearheading story collection from program stakeholders.
6. Collaborate with the Executive Director and PBC committee to develop a sustainability plan. 

Produce Buyers Club – Sales and Logistics Support):

AmeriCorps VISTA will oversee sales and logistics execution while continuing to refine processes around program activities.

Member Activities

1. Receive training on program logistics and support with these activities as needed.
2. Review and update standard operating procedures and improvement plans as needed for all sales and logistics related activities.
3. Develop program management training plan and train relevant staff members
4. Oversee inventory management and food safety practices, developing and implementing plans to improve as needed.
5. Manage product purchasing and sales administration activities, including order administration, database maintenance, and invoicing.
6. Oversee produce pick up, delivery and distribution logistics.
7. Coordinate and support delivery staff.
8. Manage creation and distribution of nutrition education materials to buying organizations.  

Communications strategy and execution: 

Americorps VISTA will refine Concrete Jungle’s communications goals, create strategy and structure around effective communication, and create content. 

Member Activities: 

1. Evaluate Concrete Jungle’s existing communication practices, tools, and guidelines.
2. Understand, and potentially revise, Concrete Jungle’s communications goals and strategies.
3. Develop an effective project management strategy for successful execution of communication strategies.
4. Organize communications committee around communications work plan, delegating and overseeing communications projects and tasks.
5. Oversee the development of templates for various content types and channels of communications 
6. Create content for newsletters, social media, and other channels.

Succession Planning:

AmeriCorps VISTA will evaluate and assess the third-year program to prepare for continued program and organizational success following the end of CJ’s VISTA cycle.

Member Activities

1. Write blog posts for the Harvest VISTA program (quarterly)
2. Create Resource Guides for VISTA project for the Harvest VISTA program.
3. Participate in Harvest VISTA team collaborations (i.e. monthly calls) 
4. Review accomplishments for the year; review documents, data, and share back with staff, partners, and stakeholders
5. Work with Concrete Jungle to identify staffing options and outline responsibilities for new staff roles.   
6. Update/hand-off sustainability document for PBC and communications management to CJ staff.

    

Candidate Qualifications

• Physical ability to lift 40 pounds without strain and support preparing and executing produce deliveries as needed
• Reliable transportation and ability to transport materials as needed
• Program or project management experience 
• Experience creating marketing materials (flyers, social media posts) or writing for public channels (personal blog, newsletters, etc.) 
• Enthusiastic and positive personality despite adversity in the hard task of improving a complicated food system
• Self-directed approach to work
• Flexibility to pivot programming and workflow as seasons change other unpredictable circumstances change priorities 
• Ability to communicate, interact, and be sensitive to a diverse group of individuals from different socioeconomic backgrounds and mental abilities

Preferred candidates will also have any of the following:

• Tech proficient (comfortable with softwares and platforms for database management, social media, email marketing, and content design) 
• Experience managing logistically complex programs or projects 
• Sales experience 
• Experience managing or working with supply inventory, especially produce inventory   
• Customer service or partnership management experience 
• Proficient writer (i.e. excellent grammar skills; ability to change writing style and voice for different channels and purposes)

How to Apply: Must apply via this link: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?fromSearch=true&id=104786

Harvest Against Hunger, Concrete Jungle’s sponsor site, will screen applications, conduct screening calls and coordinate interviews. 

Questions about this role? Email info@concrete-jungle.org