Protein Sourcing Consultant

California Food Banks•Oakland, CA

13h•Hybrid

About The Position

Protein Sourcing Consultant core functions revolve around developing, fostering, and growing relationships with food donors, brokers, and shippers. They are the “boots on the ground” and “experts in their fields” for the associations F2F Program, providing visibility across the state for excess and cost effective protein opportunities. Protein Sourcing Consultants work closely with the local food banks and act as advocates to increase their donations of protein and work with the F2F department to move any excess to CA Food Banks. This work is immensely important in fighting hunger and reducing food waste. Protein Sourcing Consultants act as liaisons, building bridges between donors, shippers, brokers, the agricultural industry, food banks, and California Food Banks™ to locate and secure protein year around. Protein Sourcing Consultants regularly communicate with donors, shippers, brokers, the agricultural industry, and food banks in the state to build and maintain positive working relationships. Protein Sourcing Consultants network broadly across the agricultural industry to develop new sources of protein and new donors. A primary object of this role is to secure the volume of protein requested and keep the network advised of growing trends or issues that will impact the agricultural landscape. Under the direction of the Farm to Family Program staff, Protein Sourcing Consultants respond to complaints and mediate issues as they arise. provide feedback, annual statistical data, and positive recognition to donors.

Requirements

Excellent people skills, ability to easily communicate in person, by phone, email, texting and ability to relate well to a wide variety of personalities
Ability to effectively communicate and interact with Farm to Family Program Director, staff and other Food Solicitors remotely on an as-needed basis
Ability to work independently with strong personal drive and initiative, manage priorities, meet deadlines, solve problems, and accommodate flexible hours and schedules
Knowledge of local protein industry, marketing, and distribution infrastructure
Knowledge and familiarity with local producers and industry leaders, local food bank management
Familiarity with the location of protein sources, operations headquarters, packers and other supporting infrastructure and food banks within assigned area
Familiarity with agriculture/protein-related trade organizations, websites, social media sites.
Ability to identify trends and project production cycles and levels
Ability to network and possess confidence in making cold calls to develop new donors throughout the state
Use of reasonable precautions in the performance of duty and to adhere to all safety rules and practices as dictated by association and donors when conducting field visits or on location
Ability to work in the Microsoft Office suite: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Valid driver’s license and dependable, insured transportation
Dependable equipment to receive and send email, text messages, generate or review electronic reports, and electronically submit monthly invoices for services provided
Must be willing to travel within assigned area.
Infrequent overnight travel may be required

Responsibilities

Developing, fostering, and growing relationships with food donors, brokers, and shippers.
Providing visibility across the state for excess and cost effective protein opportunities.
Acting as advocates to increase donations of protein from local food banks.
Working with the F2F department to move any excess protein to CA Food Banks.
Locating and securing protein year around.
Regularly communicating with donors, shippers, brokers, the agricultural industry, and food banks in the state to build and maintain positive working relationships.
Networking broadly across the agricultural industry to develop new sources of protein and new donors.
Securing the volume of protein requested.
Keeping the network advised of growing trends or issues that will impact the agricultural landscape.
Responding to complaints and mediating issues as they arise.
Providing feedback, annual statistical data, and positive recognition to donors.