Food Recovery Agency Relations Manager

Full-time, Exempt, hybrid

Organizational Overview: Food Forward fights hunger and prevents food waste by rescuing fresh surplus produce, connecting this abundance with people experiencing food insecurity and inspiring others to do the same. Fruits and vegetables are collected in Los Angeles and Ventura counties from backyard fruit trees, orchards, farmers markets, and the downtown Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market. This recovered produce is provided, free of charge, to hunger relief organizations that serve community members in various ways: food banks, homeless outreach agencies, domestic violence shelters, transitional youth homes, veteran services, family resource centers, LGBTQ+ teen/adult/senior services, college student assistance programs, programs serving people with disabilities, and many more. Since Food Forward’s inception, our staff and thousands of dedicated volunteers have rescued 100’s of million pounds of fruits and vegetables. This produce helps to feed millions of people across twelve Southern California counties and six states and tribal lands. See our core values posted below.

Position Overview: The Agency Relations Manager will report to the Director of Agency Relations and play a key role in establishing and deepening relationships with Food Forward’s network of receiving agency partners. The AR Manager will be responsible for the onboarding and maintenance of the receiving agencies while collaborating closely with the Director of Agency Relations to develop and implement departmental policies and procedures. The primary goal of this position is to help strengthen ongoing partnerships through outreach and engagement while enhancing support for efficiency and accountability in the distribution of millions of pounds of fresh produce to receiving agencies across Southern California. This position will be primarily based out of Food Forward’s headquarters in North Hollywood, with occasional work out of our office in Ventura and our warehouse in Bell. The position will also require regular travel to visit receiving agencies primarily in LA County, but also those located in Ventura County and beyond.

Food Forward is seeking a proactive and creative problem solver with 3+ years experience in a management role. The ideal candidate for this role will be passionate about food justice, hunger relief, and community building. The Agency Relations Manager will develop an in-depth understanding of Food Forward’s receiving agencies and their needs, collaborating with Food Forward program departments to determine the timing, quantity, quality, and type of produce being donated. Critical thinking, strong decision-making, effective time management and exceptional communication skills are essential for this role. The ideal candidate is outgoing, detail-oriented, and goal-oriented, is excited by both strategic and on-the-ground work and is able to adapt to a continually evolving environment.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as point of contact for new agency partnership requests and onboard new receiving agencies
• Collaborate with Food Forward program managers to determine the ideal program placement for new partner organizations
• Coordinate and conduct on-site receiving agency visits with a goal of deepening relationships, strengthening communications, ensuring compliance and providing feedback on programming
• Ensure partnership and policy compliance, as well as proper use of all produce
• Manage, develop & streamline workflows and processes
• Manage data for receiving agencies, ensuring that up-to-date records are maintained including donation documentation, metrics, demographic information, logistical information, and other relevant data
• Ensure data integrity between Food Forward’s data management systems
• Research and perform outreach to potential partner receiving agencies
• Maintain programmatic and administrative materials related to Agency Relations
• Provide regular outreach to receiving agencies in order to strengthen communications and maintain accurate records
• Identify, track and manage any issues which might arise with receiving agencies, Food Forward, and other partners and implement solutions in a timely manner
• Ad hoc duties as assigned

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bilingual: Proficient in English and Spanish required
• Proven effective data and project management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication, analytical and presentation skills
• Strong ability to prioritize projects and meet deadlines
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Google Workspace
• Willingness to travel regionally on a regular basis and work a flexible schedule, including possibility of early hours and weekends

BENEFITS:

• Medical, Vision, Dental and Life Insurance coverage, Simple IRA with 3% employer matching, Generous Paid-Time-Off policy and Holiday allocation
• Cell phone and internet monthly allowance

How To Apply: Send a cover letter and resume in PDF to [email protected]. The subject line should read, Agency Relations Manager (Your Name). The cover letter must include answers to the following 1) Where did you discover this listing, 2) If you were a variety of produce what would you be and why?

No phone calls. Please follow these instructions to ensure that we process your application.

Food Forward is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and strongly encourages people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with protected class backgrounds to apply. We value the individuals that we hire and look forward to creating a positive work environment for all identities.

CORE VALUES

• COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Working together, we inspire and are inspired by the people in the communities we serve.
• EQUITY AND INCLUSION We cultivate a diverse workforce that nurtures equity and inclusion.
• FOOD JUSTICE We share the abundance of fresh produce and prevent food waste because everyone deserves access to fresh and nutritious food.
• INTEGRITY We are honest, accountable and authentic in our words and actions.
• JOYFULNESS We embrace a creative, spirited and fulfilling environment.

Food Forward Inc.