Regional Commodity Specialist #R1105

DHRM • Roanoke, VA

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Marketing, Food Distribution Program, is seeking a Regional Commodity Specialist based in Roanoke. The position has regional responsibility for assigned counties and adjacent cities and supervises how schools and institutions receiving USDA-donated foods apply Food Distribution Program regulations and policies. This is a restricted position dependent on available funding.

The role requires frequent regional travel, occasionally overnight, to visit Virginia schools and institutions, market Virginia foods, develop institutional food service marketing data, and conduct administrative reviews. The specialist works with food banks to ensure USDA commodity distribution complies with federal and state guidelines, monitors food distributor contract performance, and resolves issues involving distributors and recipient institutions.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• General knowledge of institutional food service operations, nutrition or food science and safety principles, inventory systems and control, and reporting processes.
• Exceptional customer service skills.
• Ability to apply basic marketing and promotional principles.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, work independently, organize and present ideas and materials clearly, and establish and maintain positive working relationships.
• Experience analyzing and interpreting government regulatory and contractual terms and data.
• Ability to provide detailed explanations of procedures, regulations, contracts, and policy requirements to program clients and vendors.
• Experience planning and scheduling workloads.
• Ability to travel frequently, including occasional overnight stays.
• Proficiency with personal computers, MS Office Suite, and related applications.
• Must possess or be eligible for and maintain a valid driver's license, with a driving record reflecting responsible highway safety.

Nice To Haves

• Related education, training, or experience in food science, nutrition, business administration, or a related field.
• Experience in marketing, food technology, food service, or federal programs; a combination of these may substitute for education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the application of Food Distribution Program regulations and policies by schools and institutions receiving USDA-donated foods.
• Visit schools and institutions in the assigned region to market Virginia foods, develop institutional food service marketing data, and conduct administrative reviews.
• Work with food banks to ensure USDA commodity distribution meets federal and state guidelines.
• Monitor contractual performance of food distributors and resolve problems involving distributors and recipient food institutions.
• Plan and schedule workloads.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED