Firsthand Foods Is Hiring a Farm Network Coordinator

We’re committed to connecting you to everything you want and need to live your best life here in Durham and the surrounding area (AKA the Triangle, NC). One of the ways we do that is by sharing local employment opportunities through both our Who’s Hiring in the NC Triangle blog series and through sharing full-length job opportunities of our BULLish Market Members. We only share living wage+ job opportunities.

BULLish Market Member Firsthand Foods – an unBULLievaBULL women-owned, mission-driven company – his hiring a Part-Time Farm Network Coordinator. BULLow is the job description. Make like a good neighbor and share this with your local friends and family via email, social media, and if you’re feeling frisky, text message.

-The Bulls of Durham Herd

Do you like working with farmers? Do you have a strong background in pasture-based livestock production? Are you looking for a flexible, part-time job with a purpose-driven company? You could be an excellent fit for our Farm Network Coordinator! Read more about the position below and send a cover letter and resume to info@firsthandfoods.com by October 11th, 2024.

PART-TIME FARM NETWORK COORDINATOR

ABOUT US
Based in Durham, North Carolina, Firsthand Foods is a women-owned, mission-driven
company that helps local, pasture-based livestock producers get their meats to market. Our
team shares a set of core values, including collaboration and transparency, and we are
passionate about doing our part to build a more sustainable and equitable meat industry.
We operate within a dynamic team environment that requires high levels of
communication, adaptability, strategic thinking, and a sense of humor.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Farm Network Coordinator is responsible for managing our livestock producer
networks and using company tools and spreadsheets to plan animal delivery schedules to
ensure a consistent, reliable and high-quality supply of beef, pork, lamb, and chicken.

This hire will maintain and build positive relationships with producers so they feel heard and
value their connection to our company. They will focus on communicating our livestock
production standards, visiting with producers to ensure that their animals are finished and
ready for harvest, and providing meat quality feedback to producers based on internal
company assessments and customer feedback.

They will work closely with the FirsthandFoods team as we strive to continuously improve the quality of our product offerings, the
effectiveness of company processes and the quality of our supply chain relationships.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct on-farm visits and otherwise engage via telephone and text with producers on a regular basis.
• Educate and train producers about Firsthand Foods production standards and meat quality requirements, including pasture management, animal welfare, nutrition, and record-keeping.
• Document producer practices and identify and communicate issues of concern to the Firsthand Foods management team.
• Provide and ensure completion of tracking paperwork for each producer, including affidavits, traceability forms, and credit agreements.
• Maintain and cultivate a master schedule (annual and quarterly) for animal deliveries and assist Firsthand Foods management team with projecting future animal supply needs.
• Maintain the weekly beef schedule, providing advance notice about deliveries to producers and processors.
• Provide producers with meat quality feedback and grading scores.
• Field calls & emails from (and visit with) potential new producers.
• Attend and represent Firsthand Foods, as needed, at industry meetings.
• Research market trends and assist the Firsthand Foods management team in determining producer pricing.
• Help troubleshoot on-farm meat quality related-issues.
• Help organize annual producer network meetings.
• Participate in company-wide strategy discussions regarding producer network developments and efforts to continually improve Firsthand Foods’ production protocols and guidelines.

CHARACTERISTICS & TRAITS:
High Initiative, High Integrity, Organized, Observant, Confident, Diligent, Good Natured, Team-Player

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES MUST HAVE:
● Minimum 5 Years pasture-based livestock production related experience with beef production and pasture management experience a must!
● Strong computer literacy, including familiarity with Excel, Google Drive, and email.
● Strong social skills, including the ability to listen and learn from others.
● Access to high speed internet.
● Drivers license and access to a reliable farm-ready vehicle for farm visits.

REPORTS TO:
Jennifer Curtis, CEO

COMPENSATION & EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
Salary: $30,000-35,000

Hours: This is a part-time position requiring an average of 20 hrs per week of work
within regular (9am – 5pm) business hours.

Location: The Farm Network Coordinator will work fully remote with occasional
in-person meetings at our Durham warehouse location. A company laptop can be
provided upon request.

Employee Benefits: 10 Paid Holidays per Calendar Year, Employer Sponsored
Retirement (SIMPLE IRA), Bereavement Leave, Paid Family & Medical Leave, $50
Monthly Meat Credit, and Mileage Reimbursement for Farm Visits Paid at Standard
Federal Mileage Rate.