Agency Relations Associate

Employment type

Full-Time

Posted

8 days ago

Location

City of Bell, CA

Description

Organization: Food Forward, Inc - a 501 (c)(3) non-profit
Position: Agency Relations Associate
Location: City of Bell, CA

Organizational Overview: 
Food Forward fights hunger and prevents food waste by rescuing fresh surplus produce, connecting this abundance with people in need and inspiring others to do the same. Fruits and vegetables are collected in Los Angeles and Ventura counties from backyard fruit trees, public orchards, farmers markets, and the downtown Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Terminal. This recovered produce is provided, free of charge, to low-income populations across virtually all social service sectors: homeless outreach, food banks, domestic violence shelters, transitional youth homes, veteran services, after-school programs, LGBTQ+ teen/adult/senior services, programs serving people with disabilities, college student assistance programs, and many more. Thousands of dedicated volunteers in collaboration with our staff will help feed over two million people across eight Southern California counties this year alone. *See our core values posted below.

Position Overview: 
Food Forward is seeking an organized and detail-oriented Agency Relations (AR) Associate to join our team. The AR Associate will report to the Agency Relations Manager and focus their efforts on facilitating the distribution of recovered produce throughout Southern California and beyond.  The AR Associate will achieve this by gaining an intimate knowledge of our receiving agencies and their needs as well as collaborating with the Wholesale Recovery Program to understand timing, quantity, quality and type of produce being donated to Food Forward while maintaining an organized distribution schedule, and engage with receiving agencies.  This position will be based in Bell, CA, out of Food Forward’s Produce Pit Stop, the warehousing space for the Wholesale Recovery Program. The ideal candidate is passionate about improving food systems and eradicating hunger, is able to work independently and as a team member in a fast-paced environment, and is a skilled multi-tasker. They will need to be able to think critically, demonstrate strong decision-making and time management skills, and communicate and interface with diverse individuals.

Core Responsibilities:
50% Warehouse Operations

• Package, prep, & stage mixed pallets of produce for receiving agencies picking up at the Pit Stop.
• Greet and direct receiving agencies upon arrival at the Pit Stop.
• Facilitate the safe and timely loading of vehicles using materials handling equipment.
• Work closely with the Wholesale Recovery Program to facilitate the distribution of produce to small and medium receiving agencies.

 

20% Warehouse Logistics

• Support the Agency Relations Department and Wholesale Recovery Program in maintaining accurate inventory counts and distribution records.
• Assist with the coordination, scheduling, and tracking of receiving agency pick-ups and deliveries.
• Assist with the timely entry & reconciliation of receiving agency invoices.

 

30% Agency Relations Logistics

• Respond promptly to inquiries from receiving agencies and other Food Forward staff or partners.
• Maintain programmatic & administrative materials as they relate to Agency Relations.
• Perform general outreach to potential, new, and existing receiving agencies to maintain accurate records and deepen relationships with collaborative partners.
• Ensuring data integrity between Food Forward’s two software systems: Fusionware and CITRA.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Minimum Requirements and Qualifications:

• Fluent in English; Spanish proficiency a plus. 
• High School Diploma/GED or equivalent work experience.
• Computer literate and proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Google G-Mail, and Google Sheets.
• Must be willing to work flexible schedule and early hours.

 

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to repeatedly lift and carry materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, climb stairs and ladders, bend, lift, twist, kneel, crouch, crawl, pull, push, carry, grasp, reach and stoop as needed.
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors. 

 
Hours: Full-time, non-exempt position
Compensation: $15.75 to $16.55 per hour 
 
Benefits:

• Medical, Vision, and Life Insurance coverage
• Generous Sick Days, Paid-Time-Off, and Holiday allocation
• Cell phone allowance
• Telecommuting and Work flexibility

To apply

Send a cover letter in the body of the email including 1) Where did you discover this listing, and 2) If you were a variety of produce what would you be and why? Please attach your resume as a PDF and send to [email protected]

The subject line should read, Agency Relations Associate – (Your Name). 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.
 
*Food Forward Core Values:

• Creativity – We seek to innovate in all facets of our work.
• Joyfulness – We cultivate a meaningful, fun, positive and spirited work environment.
• Committed to Food Justice – We believe that access to wholesome food, and fresh nutritious produce, is not a privilege, but a right. We work hard to end food inequality and reduce food insecurity.
• Authenticity – We are transparent and honest in our words, deeds, and actions. We act at the highest level of integrity.
• Disciplined – We are reliable, professional, accountable, rigorous and committed to excellence in all areas of our work, both internally and externally.
• Community-minded – We aim to include and connect people in the community, and to remain open, diverse, respectful, and accessible. We take pride in offering people meaningful volunteer and work experiences.