Food Connects is seeking a Sales Manager to lead the Food Hub Sales Team and manage the Food Hub’s sales strategy and day-to-day sales processes and activities. Their aim is to ensure that the business meets sales and growth targets, provides industry-leading customer service, and generates meaningful returns for the local and regional food vendors that Food Connects represents. 

Position Title: Food Hub Sales Manager (FHSM)

Supervisor: Business Development Manager

Employee Status: Full-Time, Exempt

We value diversity in all forms and strive to have our employment practices reflect that. As such, we are an equal-opportunity workplace and will not discriminate on the basis of disability or other legally protected categories. If an employee has a disability that makes it difficult to perform their job duties, they are encouraged to notify us to engage in a discussion about reasonable accommodations. 

About Food Connects

Food Connects is a dynamic and quickly growing nonprofit organization based in Brattleboro, VT that delivers regionally produced food as well as educational and consulting services aimed at transforming regional food systems. Founded in 2013, Food Connects (FC) acts as a catalyst for food systems change by connecting the next generation with their food, regional farmers with new markets, and school chefs with regional food. 

The Food Connects Food Hub delivers source-identified, regional food from over 135 farms and value-added producers to over 300 wholesale customers located in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Western Massachusetts. Currently, we have vehicles on the road for pickups and deliveries 5 days per week. The Food Hub (FH) is experiencing rapid growth and will be expanding operations, infrastructure, and delivery schedule over the coming year.

Position Summary

The Food Hub Sales Manager (FHSM) will be responsible for cultivating a team environment that provides the Sales Team members with clear direction, ambitious goals, attainable targets, and ample support in their work. This person will set a positive, productive, and professional tone while mentoring the Sales Team, managing their performance, and continuously evaluating and improving internal processes. 

To optimize FC's seasonal sales strategy, the FHSM is expected to proactively analyze sales data, current market conditions, sales program opportunities, and supply opportunities. This person will provide Food Hub and organizational leadership with regular reports on sales activities to inform higher-level decision-making. This is a cross-functional management position that reports to the Business Development Manager.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Thinking: The ability to analyze the organization’s competitive position by considering market and industry trends, existing and potential customers (internal and external), and strengths and weaknesses as compared to competitors.
• Entrepreneurial Orientation: The ability to look for and seize profitable business opportunities; willingness to take calculated risks to achieve business goals.
• Thoroughness: Ensuring that one’s own and others’ work and information are complete and accurate; carefully preparing for meetings and presentations; following up with others to ensure that agreements and commitments have been fulfilled.
• Empowering Others: The ability to convey confidence in employees’ ability to be successful, especially at challenging new tasks; delegating significant responsibility and authority; allowing employees freedom to decide how they will accomplish their goals and resolve issues.
• Attention to Communication: The ability to ensure that information is passed on to others who should be kept informed. 
• Managing Performance: The ability to take responsibility for one’s own or one’s employees’ performance by setting clear goals and expectations, tracking progress against the goals, ensuring feedback, and addressing performance problems and issues promptly.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Sales Plan Development & Execution

• Develop and implement Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor and evaluate the collective and individual performance of the FH Sales Team, with a strong focus on goal setting.
• Develop, own, and oversee the FH’s sales strategy in collaboration with FH leadership, including route/territory plans, sales targets, metrics, and standard reporting.
• Partner closely with the Procurement Team to ensure that Sales activities align closely with supply priorities, goals, capacity, and vice versa.  
• Partner closely with the Procurement Team to increase sales of Vermont Certified Organic products.
• Coordinate with the Operations Team to ensure that sales plans and activities align with logistical ability, capacity, and goals.
• In conjunction with the Procurement Team and Business Development Manager, lead development of customer pricing plans for the Sales team based on sales goals, target margins, and company values. 
• Facilitate timely generation of marketing content and other material aligned with Marketing Department’s goals and schedule. 
• With Business Development Manager, review, and approve day-to-day customer-specific pricing questions.
• Identify and steer the team away from opportunities that carry too much risk or opportunity cost, or that conflict with FC’s missions, goals, or values. 
• Promotes the growth of local food deliveries by enhancing existing relationships with customers and developing new relationships with prospective customers.

Food Hub Staff Supervision

• Supervise FH Sales Team, including managing schedules and timesheets, maintaining daily communications, and troubleshooting challenges. 
• Within the Sales Team, cultivate a culture of goal orientation, collaboration, solutions-focused and mutual support to retain great people and deliver on FC’s mission to build a fair, resilient, and socially responsible local and regional food system.   
• Communicate openly and honestly, provide continuous feedback, recognize jobs well done, and help staff members identify opportunities for improvement. 
• Receive feedback from supervisees and respond accordingly.
• Perform regular team meetings and one-on-one check-ins, and provide real-time support as needed, focusing on cultivating performance and employee health, satisfaction, and development. 
• Lead staff performance reviews on an annual basis or as needed.
• Maintain a safe and healthy work environment by establishing and enforcing organizational standards and adhering to legal regulations.
• Assist with recruiting, hiring, and training FH staff as needed.

Analysis and Reporting

• Work to analyze, understand, and communicate market dynamics and sales performance.
• In partnership with the Administrative Team,  develop and monitor KPIs, identify inter-departmental improvement opportunities, and work to ensure timely settlement of accounts. 
• Analyze and understand sales and performance data regularly and report proactively with any perceived challenges or opportunities for improvement.

Basic Sales Administration

• With Business Development Manager, review, approve, and troubleshoot customer invoices, credit requests, and credits. 
• Maintain all Sales SOPs to be accurate and relevant, and foster team alignment around those procedures. 
• Troubleshoot FH’s sales management and e-commerce software, as needed. 
• Coordinate customer order minimum schemas and mapping in cooperation with Operations Manager.
• Oversee customer information in NetSuite to ensure data remains current, accurate, and well-formatted. 

Additional Responsibilities

• Fill in for other staff when needed. 
• Occasional meetings and events on evenings and weekends (with plenty of advance notice).
• Attend regular one-on-one check-ins with the FH Business Development Manager to seek and provide proactive and constructive feedback for mutual improvement and the general betterment of the Food Hub. 
• Engage in Food Connects annual review process.
• Other duties as needed to assist the Food Hub in fulfilling its mission. 

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

Food Connects will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of their work to the degree we are able to do so.

Work Conditions

• This position is full-time and exempt. 
• The position is based in the Food Connects Food Hub facility in Brattleboro, VT. 
• The role will require in-office work 3 days/week, with remote work an option for the remaining days.

Schedule

• In general, the position is expected to work a 40-hour week, with work hours falling between Monday-Friday, 7:00 am-6:00 pm
• Some federal holidays (those that fall on Mondays), may require at least part-time work. Adequate advance notice will be provided.
• This position is eligible for compensatory time accrual for worked hours exceeding 40 per week. 

Physical Demands

• This position entails extensive use of a desktop or laptop computer, sitting or standing at a desk workstation.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications 

• 3 to 5 years experience in one or more of the following types of roles. Some professional experience in the food industry strongly preferred. 
  • Sales
  • Buying/purchasing
  • General administration
  • Project management
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal: in person, over the phone, email, text. 
• Excellent customer service skills. 
• Strong organizational skills and natural proclivity for keeping detailed records. 
• Enthusiastic ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Interest in and ability to adapt to changes in evolving business, be creative, and jump in where needed to optimize operations.
• Cheerful, professional presence.
• Strong knowledge of veggies, fruits, dairy, meats, value-added products and other regionally-produced foods. 
• General technical skills with common workplace tools such as: G-suite, Excel, Slack, Asana, and customer relationship management software (CRM).
• Ability to learn and incorporate new tools and technology into a work plan. 
• Reliable cell phone. Monthly cell phone reimbursement is rolled into salary.
• At least 3 professional references. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Existing relationships with/knowledge of current and potential vendors, customers, and businesses in VT, NH, MA, and the NE region.
• General knowledge of the sustainable food and agriculture sector. 
• General knowledge and relationships with regional logistics and freight providers. 
• General knowledge of purchasing regulations for schools, institutions, and restaurants. 
• Experience in small business management and/or business development, especially in the food sector.
• Familiarity with the geographical area of our delivery services (Vermont, Southern NH, and Western Massachusetts, primarily). 
• Experience with E-commerce and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software for food sales and distribution.
• Knowledge of basic food safety regulations.
• ServSafe Certified.

Compensation

• Compensation: Annual salary starting at $54,080. Negotiable depending on experience. 
• A full-time position has the following benefits after a 90-day introductory period: 
  • Paid time off: vacation, sick, personal, and holiday leave
  • Short-term disability insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Access to vision and dental insurance
  • 15% employee discount on food purchases. 
  • 2% retirement contribution 

20 FANCY Black Angus/BwF Bred Heifers If you want bred heifers look no further than right here. There is 20 Blk Angus Heifers. All heifers are bred to easy calving black angus bull. Heifer are anywhere from 2-2 1/2 years old. These heifers are deep body, big stout heifers make great momma cows. These heifers all checked around 6-9 months so they will all calve now until end of spring. They will weigh 875-1000lbs. Absolutely no problems good eyes and good feet I would like to sell them all in one group but will sell them individually. [email protected] 

Head Over Fields (HOF) is a certified organic farm and market located on busy Rt. 7 in Charlotte, Vermont. We are entering our 5th growing season, cultivating 5+ acres of vegetables, flowers and herbs with 2 high tunnels, a caterpillar tunnel and a greenhouse. HOF distributes primarily direct to consumers through our robust roadside farm stand (open seasonally April-November) as well as a 3-season CSA and the Shelburne Farmers Market. Over the winter, we launched a self-serve winter stand for our community to access our winter greens and storage crops during the colder months. We also distribute wholesale and work closely with local restaurants and institutions. Our small but mighty team is passionate about organic farming practices and values being part of an agricultural community.

We are looking for several hard-working people to assist Owner Katie Rose and other members of the Field Crew with day-to-day operations associated with vegetable production in the fields. These are seasonal, full-time positions (~40 hrs/week) from May-November 2025, however experienced candidates who may be interested in part-time work should still apply. The field crew will report directly to Katie Rose. Ideal applicants will have the following experience and skills:

• 1-2 years experience in vegetable production alongside genuine interest in a career in agriculture
• Commitment to working a full farm season, into November 2025
• Strong physical and mental work ethic, self-awareness and sense of pace
• Creative problem-solving skills with ability to multi-task
• Capacity to work in all weather conditions
• Ability to repeatedly lift 50 lbs.
• Valid Driver’s License
• Ability and willingness to collaborate and work well with others 
• Willingness to give and receive feedback
• Organized with the ability to maintain clean workspaces
• Experience/interest in farm operations with diversified markets and outlets; specific interest in direct-to-consumer markets is a plus
• Independent-worker with the maturity and drive to identify and solve challenges 
• Desire to join a small, fast-growing team and farm business with lots of opportunity to grow with it!

Responsibilities include:

• Assist in all aspects of vegetable, herb and flower production, from seed to sale (propagation, transplanting, weeding/hoeing, pest management, harvesting, wash/pack, post-harvest handling, distribution, etc.)
• Regular meetings with Owner & Manager
• Adherence to farm safety protocols demonstrating care for the land, tools and equipment
• Record keeping: maintain accurate harvest logs, personal timesheets, crop records, etc.
• Desire to work efficiently, openly communicate, ask questions and maintain a positive attitude
• CSA support (packing CSA boxes, staffing weekly pick-up, deliveries, etc.)
• Wholesale deliveries

Compensation:

$16+/hour DOE

*Experienced individuals looking for part-time work encouraged to apply*

Benefits & Perks:

Access to fresh produce. Work in a beautiful location with views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains. 2 minutes to Mount Philo State Park and 10 minutes to the Town Beach. Employee discount at farm stand. Field space available for personal projects.

To apply, email resume, cover letter and 2-4 references to [email protected]

Eastman Farm, operating since 2007 in Barnard, Vermont, is seeking individuals to assist in all aspects of holistically managed grass-fed beef production and property maintenance. Candidates should have an interest in improving agricultural land and infrastructure.  Main responsibilities are maintaining and building fence and waterlines, maintaining and safely operating equipment and machinery, handling livestock, maintaining buildings and grounds, and assisting with construction projects.  Workers must be able to work independently, perform physical labor outdoors, do some weekend chores, and be flexible to to help with hay, calving, and snow removal when needed.  Position is full-time April through December.  Some winter work might become available to proven employees with construction or equipment maintenance skills.  Starting pay is $20/hour, with an opportunity for a higher rate after a trial period or for those with more experience.  Eastman Farm cooperates with adjacent Fable Farm and Kiss the Cow Farm.  Those interested should send a resume to the contact above.

Head Over Fields is a certified organic vegetable farm located in Charlotte, Vermont.  We have a robust roadside farm stand on busy Rt. 7 to showcase our produce alongside other Vermont-made provisions.  Additionally, we attend the Shelburne Farmers Market on Saturdays and distribute wholesale to local restaurants. 

We are looking for 1 person to assist in the day-to-day operations of our Farm Stand and round out our retail crew for the season.  This is a part-time seasonal position from May - October 2024.  We are looking for help in the Farm Stand on Thursday and Fridays this season. The shift is 11:30-6:30. 

START DATE as early as May 22nd.

This person will report to the Owner/Farm Manager.  The ideal candidate would have the following experience and skills:

• Knowledge of and commitment to Vermont agriculture and artisanal Vermont products
• Familiarity with seasonal produce
• Excellent customer service
• Merchandising, including creation of signage, building displays and marketing materials 
• Retail, including use of a Point of Sale (POS) system (such as Square, Shopify, Clover, Toast or similar software) 
• Stocking and inventory management
• Ability to multitask
• Detail-oriented
• Independent-worker with the maturity and drive to identify and solve challenges
• Organized and the ability to maintain clean workspaces

Responsibilities include:

• Opening and closing the retail farm stand
• Setting up displays
• Working the cash register and managing a seamless customer check out experience
• Accepting deliveries
• Weekly meeting with the Owner/Farm Manager
• Post-harvest processing, such as bagging greens, cleaning onions or garlic, filling pints/quarts
• Restocking the floor and refrigeration units
• Ensuring produce for sale is of the highest quality and is visibly appealing
• Managing spoils

• Maintaining an accurate weekly timesheet

   

Compensation:

$16+/hour  DOE

Benefits & Perks:

Access to fresh produce.  Work in a beautiful location with views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains. 2 minutes to Mount Philo State Park and 10 minutes to the Town Beach.  Employee discount at farm stand.

To apply, email resume, cover letter and 2 references to [email protected]