Reporting to the Executive Director, the Field Coordinator will be an energetic self-starter with overall responsibility for recruiting, onboarding, and supporting grocers and institutional cafeterias in becoming Retail Partners in the NOFFP initiative. Working remotely, the Field Coordinator will solicit and build valuable relationships with retailers located throughout New England and New York. This is a part-time remote contract position with a starting 1-year term and a flexible work schedule. For the right candidate, 40 hours/week is possible when taking on product demos as advertised in the Organic Brand Ambassador position. We hope to fill the positions as soon as possible.
Responsibilities
The Northeast Organic Family Farm Partnership Field Coordinator assists with Retail Partner program management. This individual will execute the on-the-ground and virtual recruitment process of independent and co-op grocers and institutional cafeterias to sign as official Retail Partners. This individual will be responsible for making 12+ introductory calls/week, hosting virtual sales presentations, visiting general managers and dairy buyers of large and small retailers, and being an ambassador for the Partnership initiative. Keeping detailed contract records, creating professional online presentations, administering the licensing process, and ensuring Retail Partners are well-supported are essential duties.
Minimum Qualifications
A Bachelor’s degree and at least one year of related experience are preferred. Exceptional presentation skills (virtual and in-person) are critical to be successful in this position. A valid driver’s license and a reliable personal vehicle are required. The candidate must be located in New England. It is desirable but not essential that this individual be interested in the grocery industry and/or local organic agriculture advocacy and education. Former experience with merchandising, distribution, and production is a plus.
We encourage you to apply and bring your expertise if you're:
- Highly driven: You have a sales mentality and enjoy prospecting for new partners and using your enthusiastic work ethic to generate leads
- Mission-driven: if you seek the reward of making an impact for a cause you believe in, you’ll thrive building the list of partners working to support family farmers
- Charismatic: Your interpersonal skills are second to none, and you're able to cultivate new leads through cold calls, virtual presentations, and visits, as well as provide services to meet your prospects' needs
- Relationship-focused: Your focus is on the long game—building solid relationships within local communities and organizations while maintaining open lines of communication for future opportunities
- Someone who loves to be on the road, visiting new places, especially new grocery stores and markets
Knowledge and Skills
- Effective written and oral communication, and presentation skills (virtual and in-person)
- Well-developed persuasion and negotiation skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to build rapport with prospects
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Effective time management and organizational skills without direct supervision
- Familiarity with Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, Zoom, Canva, and other cloud-based project management software helpful
- Interest in learning about the regional and organic dairy market
- Interest in understanding consumer behavior and making it easier for consumers to buy
- Fueled by making a difference
Salary: $25-30/hour, depending on experience. This is an independent contractor position offering ~20 hours per week and does not provide benefits. Mileage will be reimbursed at the current IRS rate. Note: for the right candidate, 40 hours/week is possible when taking on product demos as advertised in the Organic Brand Ambassador position. Candidates interested in combining the positions should apply to each separately.
To apply
Submit a cover letter indicating why you think you’d be a good candidate for the role, along with your resume, to [email protected]. Please include “Field Coordinator” in the email subject line.
About the Northeast Organic Family Farm Partnership
In August 2021, 135 organic family dairy farms across eastern New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine were suddenly and unexpectedly notified that their contracts with Horizon Organic and Maple Hill Creamery would not be renewed after the following year. In response to this crisis, the Northeast Organic Family Farm Partnership was formed to increase the regional demand for organic milk produced in the Northeast by family farms. Increased demand for regionally supplied organic milk is necessary to save the at-risk farms, build market stability for the dairy industry, and create resiliency in the northeast regional food system as our family farms disappear at increased frequency.
The only long-term solution for these farmers, and all of the region’s organic family farmers, is to encourage consumers, grocers, food co-ops, restaurants, and food service venues to increase their purchases from the brands that purchase milk from the region.
The Partnership’s program has three pillars:
- Brands - We engage with 35 brands committed to sourcing milk from regional organic family farms. These are our “Brand Partners.”
- Retailers - We invite retailers and institutional foodservice outlets to join by committing to promoting products from Brand Partners by signing a license agreement to use our trademarked Partnership seal in their in-store and digital outreach. These are our “Retail Partners.”
- Consumers - We circulate a pledge asking consumers to buy one-fourth of their weekly dairy purchases from the Brand Partners and patronize the Retail Partners.
The partnership is fiscally managed by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), a 501(c)3 organization located in Maine.