Value Chain Specialist

The ideal candidate is a self-starter and relationship builder who can develop new systems, identify opportunities, and strengthen our organizational capacity to connect farmers and food businesses with markets. Experience working with farmers, retailers, food businesses, sales, or other parts of the food value chain is important for success in this role. 

Key responsibilities:

• Support Growers in Accessing Wholesale Markets 

  Build relationships with Michigan farmers and help growers who are interested in expanding into wholesale markets, particularly grocery stores and food businesses connected to Fair Food Network programs.

• Support Retailers and Food Businesses with Local Sourcing 

  Work with the Double Up Food Bucks and Michigan Good Food Fund networks to help retailers and food businesses increase their sourcing of Michigan-grown and produced food. Because this is an emerging area of work, the Value Chain Specialist will help develop and refine Fair Food Network’s approach to local sourcing technical assistance.

• National Technical Assistance 

  Fair Food Network co-leads the Nutrition Incentive Hub, which supports organizations across the country operating nutrition incentive and produce prescription programs. Drawing on lessons from Fair Food Network’s work in Michigan, the Value Chain Specialist will contribute expertise in local sourcing and value chain coordination to this national network.

• Track Impact and Build Learning Systems 

  Develop the systems needed to understand whether Fair Food Network’s local sourcing work is increasing connections between Michigan farmers, retailers, and food businesses—and ultimately increasing sales of Michigan-grown and produced food.

What You Bring:

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience working in food systems
• Self-motivated with the ability to work collaboratively across departments
• Experience working with farmers, food retailers, and food businesses
• Background in sales, food procurement, agriculture, or distribution
• Strong commitment to equity and diversity, and proven ability to work with culturally diverse populations
• Strong communication skills and responsiveness through multiple forms of communication (email, phone, text)
• Experience and fluency with Microsoft office suite (including Excel) is required. Able to learn new online tools as needed for role
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deploy work plans to meet program goals and objectives

 Even Better:

• Demonstrated awareness of agricultural as well as business development technical assistance providers in Michigan
• Experience working with farmers to scale production for wholesale markets
• Direct food procurement experience
• Experience purchasing from or coordinating orders with farmers
• Procurement on behalf of a grocery store, food business, or institution
• Established network of Michigan farmers that you can readily tap into for this position

How to Apply

Please see our website for full job description and application.  We are not accepting applications via LinkedIn.  To ensure a fair process, please do not send inquiries about the position to Fair Food Network employees.