Specialist, Food Sourcing

About the Organization

It is an exciting time at the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) as we continue to undertake our mission. We know that creating long term solutions to food security requires more than meals. It requires education, training, and collaboration. We are seeking people with strong ideas and a passion to come together to address the complex interrelated issues of food security, poverty, and equity. We are expanding in multiple ways: providing food for today and addressing the root causes of hunger by partnering with organizations that provide critical services like job training programs, health care and education. Food has the power to transform lives and move everyone forward. Find out how on our website at capitalareafoodbank.org. Let us discuss how food is at the center of everyone's healthy life!

Position Overview:

The Food Resources department is integral to the CAFB’s mission through its work of acquiring food for communities in need throughout the Capital Region. As a member of this dynamic team, the Food Sourcing Specialist will play a vital role in supporting the cost-effective acquisition of food and strengthening the evolution of offerings for direct distribution programs, partner agencies and developing pilot programs. The Food Sourcing Specialist will facilitate purchases that meet CAFB guidelines and contribute to improving the health and wellness of our community. This position will also help to develop and enhance relationships with internal and external stakeholders and food donors.

Essential Functions:

Food Procurement (60%)

• Participate in purchasing strategy development in line with departmental and organizational annual goals
• Oversee and manage evolving program orders
• Support food procurement for evolving pilot programs
• Expanded menu including culturally familiar foods and diverse produce items; research vendors, track purchases and monitor inventory
• Identify procurement opportunities; respond to and track supplier and donor inquiries
• Prepare purchase orders and process weekly payments
• Compare prices, specifications, and delivery dates to determine the best bide from a variety of vendors
• Follow all procurement policies, state and federal regulations
• Track purchasing budget and specific pilot budgets
• Support the Fruits and Vegetable Fund by coordinating logistics, tracking incoming produce and inputting invoices into CAFB financial management system.
• Maintain and distribute accurate and timely reports for internal and external stakeholders
• Support Donor management and development in partnership with Development Division; focus on corporate and individual food donations
• Assist with identifying donation opportunities and support with getting the product received into our inventory system
• Participate in donor recognition strategy and send receipts and thank you letters to donors in a timely manner
• Conduct research projects identifying additional food sources or donors
• Daily Monitoring of Feeding America’s choice donation system, taking advantage of products that fit within our wellness guidelines.
• Collaborate with the Nutrition Education team to adjust purchasing plan while tracking and ranking wellness items.
• Support procurement of TEFAP commodities through partnership with the TEFAP team

Customer Service (20%)

• Display high level of customer service and effective communications to both internal and external audiences
• Work collaboratively with other divisions of the CAFB, including the Operations team, DC, MD and NOVA Regions, and the Pilot Team
• Respond to product inquiries from partners through the Customer Service team

Food Distribution (20%)

• Match supply with demand; align inbound procurement with distribution schedule for all regions and Direct Distributions Team
• Partner with the Direction Distributions Team to plan on upcoming menus

Minimum Requirements:

• At least 4-year BA degree in a related field.
• At least 2 or more year of experience in purchasing, distribution, logistics and/or food procurement

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent organizational skills with ability to prioritize and work to deadlines;
• Ability to work independently and as a contributing member of a team;
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook);
• Succeeds in diverse, fast paced team-oriented environment;
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication;
• Understanding of supply chain management, a plus

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands and working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical activities involve sitting for 80% or more of the workday.
• Occasionally lift office supplies up to 20 pounds.
   

Reporting:

• This role reports to the Senior Manager of Food Resources
   

Schedule:

• Regular work hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm
• The position is based in DC at 4900 Puerto Rico Ave NE, Washington DC 20017

Compensation:

• $53,700 - 57,700 / annually

NOTE: Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
 

We Offer: At Capital Area Food Bank, we understand that great people make a great organization. We value our people and offer employees a broad range of benefits including competitive compensation and benefits, free onsite parking, complimentary shuttle to metro, professional development, growth, and volunteer opportunities, fun work in a diverse environment 
 

Application Process:

• Interested applicants must submit a cover letter and resume. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
   

EOE Statement:
Capital Area Food Bank welcomes and supports a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities (EEO) for all applicants seeking employment and for all our employees. CAFB makes employment decisions based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, military status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, educational status, unemployment status, place of residence or business, source of income, reproductive health decision making or any other characteristic protected by law. Additionally, harassment or discrimination based on these characteristics will not be tolerated at CAFB. To perform the essential functions of this position, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities.  

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