Food Procurement and Distribution Specialist - DeKalb, United States - DeKalb County Community Gardens

Description

JOB SUMMARY:

The Food Procurement and Distribution Specialist will oversee the implementation of the Illinois Equitable Access Towards Sustainable Systems (IL-EATS) program by coordinating pickups and deliveries of food products, meeting with producers and service organizations, and managing reporting metrics for the program.

This position will work alongside DCCG's Executive Director, Associate Director, Bookkeeper, and Food Procurement and Distribution Assistant, as well as other applicable staff as needed, in the implementation of this program.

DCCG's mission is to empower individuals to choose healthy, sustainably grown food and to address the root causes of hunger.

Since 2012, DCCG has distributed over two million pounds of food to neighbors across DeKalb County. The IL-EATS program will expand DCCG's reach and provide greater diversity in our local food system.


POSITION CONTEXT:

DCCG is privileged to be a Lead Agency in the Northeastern region for a new program in Illinois called Illinois Equitable Access Towards Sustainable Systems (IL-EATS).

This program allows DCCG to purchase food from local producers within DCCG's existing network and distribute the product free of charge to service organizations.

This position reports directly to the Executive Director and is required to work a full-time work week, as designated by the DCCG Employee Handbook.

The hours typically average 40 hours per week for 52 weeks, including some evenings and weekends. This is a temporary position ending in September of 2025 with the potential for extension depending on grant funds. Travel of distance throughout the DeKalb County region is required utilizing DCCG's vehicles.

This position routinely handles highly sensitive and/or confidential information and will represent DCCG in a variety of capacities to the community.

EXAMPLES OF MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

With direction from the Executive Director, you will:

• Coordinate deliveries and pickups of food products between producers and service organizations
• Serve as the main point of contact for IL-EATS activities
• Communicate regularly with producers and service organizations
• Resolve issues with food deliveries and answer programrelated questions
• Collect reporting data and prepare reports
• Present program information to the public through social media and other avenues
• Coordinate with the bookkeeper to resolve program related billing matters
• Oversee the Food Procurement and Distribution Assistant with the organization and distribution of food products in the DCCG warehouse and other locations
• Assist the Food Procurement and Distribution Assistant with the training of volunteers and support staff
• Other duties assigned "as needed"

Knowledge of:

• Customer service practices and procedures
• Logistics practices
• Social services sector and/or emergency food sector

Necessary Skills:

• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Problemsolving, planning, researching, organizing, and scheduling.

Ability to:

• Work with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrate a strong interest and show compassion for the issues of food insecurity and poverty.
• Be selfdirected and interested in growing into organizational leadership opportunities.
• Envision program changes or additions to best serve the needs of the residents we serve as well as the organization.
• Use all equipment in the warehouse, including electric and manual pallet jacks and hydraulic lift. Training will be provided.
• Drive a refrigerated food truck. Training will be provided.
• Inventory and organize product
• Maintain a clean and organized facility
• Ensure safety protocol is adhered

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The working environment is a mixture of office/warehouse and public spaces both indoor and outdoor. While performing the office duties of this job, the employee works in a temperature controlled, non-smoking environment. Work will include some time in a walk-in cooler which is kept at 41F or less. Work in outside public spaces may require exposure to inclement weather conditions. The employee is required to make frequent trips off site by motor vehicle, at times for extended periods. Local, county and state travel are required. The noise level varies but is generally moderate to loud.


PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The duties of this position require frequent sitting, standing, bending, reaching, and occasionally driving a motor vehicle for extended periods of time.

May require lifting or moving objects up to 50 lbs.

Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office machines such as computers, fax machines, calculators, the telephone and other office equipment.

Requires normal range of hearing and vision. Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.


EQUIPMENT USED:

• Pallet jack, manual and automated.
• General office equipment including personal co