Retail and Foodservice Partnerships Specialist

The Retail and Foodservice Partnerships (RAFP) Specialist is the primary point of contact for many of our food bank agencies and retail foodservice partners. Position responsibilities include customer service, training, data entry and data

Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities:

1. Cultivates high-quality relationships within a particular region of WA state. Focuses on pairing localized agencies with donors in their geographic region to create robust relationships.
2. Provides excellent customer service to donors and agency partners and serves as a liaison between the two to ensure optimal scheduling, logistics, and communication.
3. Participates in partner prospecting including, but not limited to: conducting partnership pilots with new donors, fielding new opportunities, and providing ongoing stewardship through phone, email, and in person visits.
4. Provides immediate support to agency and donor network relating to, but not limited to: scheduling assistance, technical support, and conflict resolution.
5. Tracks and processes poundage reports each month. Ensures agencies comply with monthly reporting schedule. Escalates significant donor and agency issues to RAFP Manager.
6. Maintains accurate documentation including, but not limited to: contact information, Ceres database, MealConnect, tracking spreadsheets, program guidelines and procedures, reports.
7. Works with cross-departmental teams to share relevant details about donors, donations, relationships or other details that will lead to better donor service and service to hungry people.
8. Coordinate with RAFP team and Manager to stay informed about happenings in donor and agency network. Supports the team when they’re unavailable by addressing urgent agency or donor needs.
9. Trains and supports store personnel and partner agencies in program policies. Sets expectations for high-quality food donations, including adherence to food safety rules and corporate donation policies. Conducts trainings and launch

Secondary Functions:

• Represents Food Lifeline in external spaces such as food bank coalition meetings, conferences, and partner meetings.
• Maintains awareness and shares up-to-date food safety guidelines that support
• Tracks and maintains programmatic equipment and supply levels.
• Supports agency compliance visits in person with the Agency Advancement team. Reviews agencies' adherence to the RAFP Partnership Agreement and provides consultation on areas of improvement.
• Collaborates with RAFP Manager to develop strategic initiatives and annual plans & goals. Lead and contribute in project-based work to improve function of program.
• Attends meetings and actively participates in internal committees and workgroups as required.
• Works with other Food Lifeline departments and supports other organization needs as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Scope:

This position:

• Has a moderate level of work complexity.
• Performs work independently and with minimal-moderate supervision.
• Decisions are made within prescribed operating guidelines and procedures.
• Responsibility for planning – Makes recommendations to RAFP Manager for operational and strategic planning for functional area. Ability to participate in organization-wide workgroups.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• No staffing or supervisory responsibilities.

Interpersonal Contacts: Contact is both internal and external.

• Internal 30% • External 70%
• In Person 30% • Telephone 35% • Email 35%

Job Skills:

Required

• Ability to provide excellent customer service.
• Ability to work independently while exercising initiative and good judgment, and ability to plan and follow through.
• Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships.
• Ability to work well with a wide variety of people, to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing, and to work collaboratively.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to handle multiple projects, set priorities, and manage time effectively.
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook (2016 or Office 365).
• Ability to learn and understand the complexities of hunger and its root causes.
• Ability to learn and apply safe food handling practices.

Preferred

• Ability to lead projects to meet deadlines and track details.
• Ability to use conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques.
• Experience using Smartsheet or other data management platforms.
• Bilingual - fluent or conversational in Spanish or other language common in communities in Western Washington.

Education, Experience and other Qualifications:

Required

• Minimum 1-year experience in program coordination, community outreach, social services, customer service, administrative assistance, or similar position.
• Must have Washington State Food Handler’s permit and ServSafe Manager. Certification or be able to obtain within 30 days of employment.
• Ability to pass background check.
• Valid Washington state driver’s license.

Preferred

• Up-to-date understanding of food safety regulations, grocery retail or foodservice experience.
• Experience engaging with communities experiencing food insecurity, poverty, or social injustice.
• Candidate with experience of food insecurity, poverty, or social injustice.
• Experience in program coordination or community outreach role with hunger relief, food security, or food justice programs.
• Experience building strong partnerships with community-based organizations.

Job Conditions:

• Based at the Food Lifeline Hunger Solution Center in Seattle. Position may be performed remotely in accordance with Food Lifeline hybrid work policy.
• Requires a valid WA State driver’s license and an insurable driving record. A Food Lifeline vehicle is available to use for work-related local travel.
• Work is performed both in an office with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. Work may also be performed in the field at grocery stores, foodservice sites, and agency partner locations across Western WA.
• Requires maintaining professional and positive working relationships with internal and external contacts.
• Occasional weekend hours (2-3 times per year) related to special events or seasonal activities.
• May act as Food Lifeline representative at events that require following high standards of behavior. Position will interact with a wide variety of people including community partners, community members, donors, volunteers, board members and the general public.

Physical Demands:

Position requires extended periods of sitting, use of desktop computer terminal, and the ability to routinely lift and carry up to 10 pounds. Requires extensive keyboarding with repetitive wrist and hand movements and prolonged periods of sitting. Frequent talking and listening including phone conversations. Requires the ability to operate a motor vehicle in a variety of road and traffic conditions.