JOB FILLED - Bilingual Business Development Manager - Joe Produce | Produce Jobs, Produce Careers, Agriculture Jobs, Agriculture Careers

JOB FILLED - Bilingual Business Development Manager

Job Description: 

Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) is a nonprofit skill-building and certification organization that seeks to improve the lives of farmworkers and transform the produce industry.

Through a collaborative approach that combines compliance assurance with enhanced business performance, EFI is positioned to help the most responsible and forward-thinking produce companies differentiate themselves in the marketplace. 

EFI is searching for a Business Development Manager with the passion and skills for bringing people together around new approaches to farm labor. The right individual will be a self-starter, able to work in an environment that demands collaboration, flexibility, results and problem-solving. EFI offers a great working environment: our 12-person team encourages one another to innovate, act boldly and broaden perspectives, and we support one another through the ups and downs of our “disruptive design” methodology. 

Reporting to the Director of Business and New Product Development, the Business Development Manager is responsible for developing relationships with major produce buyers, distributors, food service companies, trade associations and grower/shippers to encourage the adoption of the EFI training, certification and verification model. S/he should have knowledge about the fresh produce industry, with the capacity to engage clients and win their support for EFI.  S/he should also understand how organizational development processes and workplace design can improve labor-management relationships.

Compensation/Salary: 
DOE
Responsibilities & Duties: 
Grower Engagement, Marketing Support and Coordination with Workforce Development
  • Engage new growers and manage all aspects of grower relationship, from initial contact through the Grower Mapping process, contracting, training, audit, certification, label licensing, and ongoing compliance verification.  
  • Support the Business Development Director in collecting grower information, managing grower contracts (Training Agreement and Licensing Agreement) and archiving relevant documents for ready access by EFI staff.  
  • Work with Marketing Director to provide key information and collateral for growers. 
  • Coordinate closely with the Workforce Development Team to understand and articulate EFI’s cutting edge adult education methodologies and training program for leadership teams and other grower staff, to ensure clear communication and smooth handling of the Grower relationship at each stage of the EFI training and certification process.
  • Collaborate closely with certification staff to develop a deep understanding of the EFI Standards and certification requirements, provide guidance to growers on the audit and certification processes, and assist in determining the scope of certificates across various business models. 
  • Maintain ongoing, active relationships with growers, in support of the Business Development Director, who serves as EFI’s primary customer service representative for growers and farm managers throughout the engagement, training and certification cycle.
Buyer Engagement
  • Support the Executive Director and Business Development Director in outreach to retail and foodservice buyers to recognize and reward EFI certification among their suppliers and to support EFI program objectives.
  • Work with trade associations and other appropriate channels to develop buyer interest in EFI.
Support to organizational development 
  • Work collaboratively with the Directors of Business Development, Workforce Development, Certification and Marketing to insure a seamless, whole-system approach for EFI customers. Maintain active communication with all staff to facilitate full integration and participation in achieving program goals.  
  • Coordinate with the Marketing Director on external messaging about the EFI Program and the mechanisms that support it.
  • Work with the Operations team to support all internal and logistical processes to keep the organization running efficiently
  • Maintain budget and expenditures in alignment with EFI’s overall financial forecast.
  • Engage EFI staff in all phases of business development process.  
  • Regularly post Grower and Buyer reports updating status of all active relationships as well as targets for development.
Qualifications: 
  • 5+ years of experience in sales, with proven track record in customer engagement and cultivation from initial contact through to final agreement.
  • Bilingual; Excellent verbal and written communication skills (English and Spanish).
  • Passion and commitment to the mission of EFI, as an opportunity to create value for workers, growers, retailers and consumers alike.
  • Capacity to function in a fast-paced start-up environment, including a willingness to take on additional tasks and responsibilities as the organization evolves. There are opportunities for promotion and professional development for the successful candidate as EFI grows.
  • Strong organizational and strategic planning skills: ability to articulate and implement tailored approaches that meet the needs of each grower.
  • Proven ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people and institutions in a multi-stakeholder environment, and to bridge the business/non-profit divide.
  • A Bachelors degree and valid Driver’s License is Required.
  • Experience in workforce development, process improvement and organization development preferred.
Job Location
  • Work remotely, with ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 35% of the time.