Job Opening: Grower Engagement Manager

Position Description
The grower engagement manager will drive Local Food program initiatives, connecting communities to close health gaps to support a just and equitable regional food system. This position will manage KC Food Circle to connect our region’s eaters, farmers and producers to grow a thriving local food community. This position will work with staff to allocate resources, prioritizing program implementation to help school districts, early childhood education centers, restaurants, catering businesses, hospitals, and worksite areas increase local food purchases. The position requires strong administrative and organizational skills, the ability to think strategically, and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school district administrators, businesses, colleges and schools, teachers, food service staff, local farmers, and local, state and federal officials.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage all aspects of KC Food Circle, recruit and maintain farmer annual memberships to uphold integrity of KC Food Circle pledges and update farmer directory and profiles.
• Provide outreach and build relationships with farmers, ranchers, and other food producers within a 250-mile radius of Kansas City to support meeting institutional demand.
• Cultivate relationships with partner organizations, key stakeholders, farmer members and community through event planning and implementation of the Eat Local and Organic Expo
• Manage and update Eat Local KC map and recruit participants for map layers
• Collaborate with partner organizations to host and/or participate in networking opportunities for food growers and buyers
• Support staff in maintaining budgets for local food programs and events and execute earned income strategies that feasibly support farm to institution work.
• Support staff in development of marketing and educational materials for KC Healthy Kids programs and events.
• Recruit and supervise interns and volunteers in their implementation of program initiatives and events.
• Perform program administrative functions including staff and funder communications, grant writing, grant reporting, and program evaluation

 
Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in nutrition and/or dietetics, community food systems, business, marketing, agriculture, plant science, public administration, social work or equivalent with 3-5 years of professional experience
• Experience and knowledge on school foods, farming, food sales, and managing collaborative initiatives are preferred.
• Excellent ability to work with racially and culturally diverse groups.
• Self-starter with strong organizational and project management skills.
• Knowledge of the local and regional food system recommended.
•  Ability to juggle short- and long-term priorities and projects of varying nature.
• Excellent writing, public speaking, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Willingness to think and plan strategically, work well with a diverse range of people, and provide leadership by example.

 
Job Relationships:
Relationship management is a key function of the position. The KC Food Circle Program Manager will have frequent contact with diverse stakeholders, including administrators, regional farmers, food industry professionals, planning professionals, school professionals and educators, philanthropy, faith-based organizations, health care personnel, social service professionals, academia, media, and community residents.
 
Salary Range: $49,500-54,500
 
Reports to:
Vice President, Programs and Policy

Application Process
Email a cover letter and resume to recruitment@kchealthykids.org. The position will
remain open until filled, but applications received before November 15, 2023 will be
prioritized. No phone calls please. Inquiries should be sent by email. Only those
selected for an interview will be contacted.