ACORN Food Hub Account Manager

Location: Middlebury, Vermont (hybrid model)

Supervisor: Executive Director

Employee Status: Part-Time, Non-Exempt, Hourly

About ACORN: The Addison County Relocalization Network (ACORN), founded in 2009, is a small non-profit with the mission to promote the growth and health of local food and agriculture in Vermont’s Champlain Valley by providing support to our farmers and food producers, engaging in food education and ensuring access to healthy food for all members of our community. From the Tour de Farms and Champlain Valley Guide to Local Food and Farms to the Farmacy Food as Medicine program and various Farm to School initiatives, ACORN is a catalyst for developing local, sustainable and collaborative solutions that adapt to community needs. The ACORN Food Hub is an emerging facility celebrating its second year in operation offering aggregation, storage and distribution for local producers. Through its Online Market, the ACORN Food Hub aggregates and distributes hyper local food from over 50 farms and value-added vendors to wholesale customers in western Vermont and eastern New York. 

This is a new part time position! The Food Hub Account Manager reports to the Executive Director of ACORN, and will work closely with the ACORN Food Hub Operations + Logistics Manager and Coordinator. The primary components of this position include account management, sales, and outreach to new and existing customers. In addition to managing accounts, the Manager will work with the Food Hub team to plan and execute a sales and marketing strategy for the Food Hub’s Online Market and services. This is a hybrid position with a mix of remote and in-person responsibilities.  Special consideration will be given to candidates within a 1 hour driving distance of Middlebury. They can expect to spend between 20-50% of each week on the road visiting existing customers to build relationships, promote purchasing of regional & local products, and develop new customer leads in support of ACORN’s expansion goals.

The Manager is responsible for nurturing existing sales accounts and growing sales on the ACORN Online Market. They will focus on strengthening existing customer relationships and forging new relationships with target customers through in-person sales calls and other desk-based sales strategies (phone, email, etc). 

The Manager will work with the Food Hub Team to continuously evolve and develop seasonal sales strategies and plans, including prioritizing product sales flow based on current inventory, promoting new products and vendors, and promotions on seasonal crops. In addition to sales, the Manager will create weekly and evergreen promotional material to support sales efforts (social media, e-newsletters, flyers, etc). Marketing responsibilities also include tabling at special events, in-store demos, etc.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

This person will employ their exemplary customer service skills, industry knowledge, and attention to detail to increase sales with current customers and onboard new customers. They will also provide general sales support for customers as needed.

Account Management Responsibilities

• Promote sales growth by enhancing existing relationships with customers and developing new relationships with potential customers. These relationships will inform the varied needs of our diverse customer base.
• Spend a minimum of 1 day per week on the road visiting new and potential customers to build relationships, promote products, and gather feedback.
• Serve as customer service representative for ACORN by building and maintaining relationships and problem solving with customers, including schools, grocers, and institutions.
• Prioritize customer outreach and engagement through in-person meetings, phone calls, emails and special events.

Sales + Marketing Strategy Responsibilities

• Manage sales and outreach for the Food Hub throughout western Vermont, identifying new market opportunities based on research, and initiating sales.
• Promote ACORN’s farm partners as part of the ACORN Food Hub brand
• Participate in “ride-alongs” with food producers to promote their products to new, existing, and potential customers.
• Coordinates with producers and customers on promotions and helps to organize in-store promotions and product demos.
• Represent ACORN at events around the region such as Vermont Fresh Network, Specialty Food Association, Chamber of Commerce, NOFA-VT, Farm to Plate,  conferences and annual meetings.
• Organize and host annual event for buyers and farmers.
• Develop, collect and distribute promotional materials.
• Scout and vet new products and producers for the market.
• Respond to procurement solicitations and facilitate forward contracts between customers and producers. 
• Maintain database of customers notes in a clear, concise and consistent fashion in Constant Contact
• Work with the Food Hub team to identify and optimize sales opportunities.
• Organize and implement Harvest of the Month production planning with producers and customers.

Additional Responsibilities

• Act as the back-up for Food Hub Manager or Coordinator during vacations and holidays, as needed.
• Provide general operational and administrative support to the organization, as necessary. 
• Accurately track and communicate mileage, hours, and other relevant travel information.
• Participate in weekly team meetings. 
• Attend regular one-on-one check-ins with the ACORN E.D. to seek and provide proactive and constructive feedback for mutual improvement and the general betterment of the Food Hub. 
• Engage in annual self-review. 
• Participate in annual peer-review processes for employees.
• Assist with training new employees, as needed.
• Occasional off-hours meetings and events (with plenty of advance notice).

• Other duties as needed to assist ACORN in fulfilling its mission.

   

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

ACORN will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of their work to the degree we can do so.

Work Conditions

• This position is based in the ACORN Food Hub facility in Middlebury, VT. 
• This position will require in-office work at least 1 day/week, with remote work an option for the remaining days.
• Occasional off-hours responsibilities, meetings, and events (with plenty of advance notice).

• The Account Manager will be expected to spend 20-50% of their time in travel, visiting customer accounts. 

   

Physical Demands

• This position entails extensive use of a laptop computer, sitting or standing at a desk workstation.
• Ability to drive continuously for a full workday. 
• Ability to drive in various weather conditions.
• Occasional heavy lifting of up to 40 pounds may be required when performing backup support to the Food Hub Manager or Coordinator. 

Required Qualifications 

• Some experience in one or more of the following types of roles (professional experience in the food industry strongly preferred):
  • Sales
  • Buying/purchasing
  • General administration
  • Project management
  • Other applicable lived experience
• 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
• Comfortable with change and growth in an evolving business, creative problem solver and ability to jump in where needed to optimize operations
• Cheerful, professional presence
• Strong knowledge of veggies, fruits, dairy, meats, value-added products and other locally-produced foods
• Strong technical skills with computers, spreadsheets, emails, design and digital business management tools such as: G-suite, Slack, Zoom, Canva and customer relationship management (CRM) software, like Constant Contact
• Travel within the state will be required. 
  • A personal car, cell phone and stable home internet is required in this position
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation 
  • The ACORN Food Hub offers a company-owned vehicle that can be used for some, but not all, road sales.   
  • Mileage is paid out at a set rate for all work-related travel driven in personal vehicles.
• Three professional references

Preferred Qualifications 

• Existing relationships with/knowledge of food producers and buyers in Vermont, especially Vermont’s Champlain Valley
• General knowledge of the sustainable food and agriculture sector
• Familiarity with the geographical area of our delivery services

ACORN is an at will, equal opportunity employer that values diversity of experience and perspective to enrich our work. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, crime victim status, health coverage status, HIV status, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.