JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Market Mobile Packhouse Associates help fulfill Farm Fresh RI’s nonprofit mission of growing the local food system by ensuring all products sold by local farmers and producers are safely and accurately received and packaged to be delivered to restaurants, institutions, and home delivery customers across Rhode Island. In doing so, we are strengthening local farm viability by building a reliable sales outlet for Rhode Island grown and produced goods.

A high degree of accountability is required in order to provide excellent outcomes to our farmers, food producers, customers, and community partners. Our Packhouse Associates facilitate the flow of products within our local food warehouse. This position works closely with other Packhouse Associates, Driver Assistants, Drivers, and other Market Mobile staff in a team environment to achieve program goals.

Market Mobile Packhouse Associates support Market Mobile operations through the successful implementation of established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and compliance with regulatory guidelines. Daily tasks include ensuring products are accurately received, picking product orders, upholding cleaning and sanitation standards, and completion of prescribed paperwork.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Receive product into the warehouse from farmers and producers in accordance with receiving procedures.
• Pack customer orders accurately and efficiently.
• Proactively communicate issues and challenges with Market Mobile managers.
• Support Market Mobile safe food handling practices.
• Clean Market Mobile packing facilities weekly.
• Maintain positive relations with Market Market vendors and customers.
• Work with Market Mobile volunteers and interns as necessary.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma preferred.
• Warehouse experience preferred.
• Food handling experience is strongly preferred.
• Picking and packing orders experience preferred.
• Experience operating manual and electric pallet jacks is a plus (training is provided).
• Customer service or similar experience is preferred.
• Good humor, an ability to think on your feet, and an easy but focused work style.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES NEEDED TO PERFORM THIS ROLE

• Must be reliable, committed, and efficient at completing job requirements.
• Must be effective in communicating with other program staff and external organization stakeholders.
• Must have the ability and desire to relate to and work with various socio-economic and cultural groups and create a positive and safe work environment by making other coworkers and volunteers feel welcome in our space.
• Must be a team player and have a willingness to collaborate.
• Must have high attention to detail (produce quality and record-keeping).
• Must be able to think, react, iterate, and redirect in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to the success of coworkers and Farm Fresh RI’s mission and values.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS (PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL)
The following capabilities are required in order to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden on the company are available to address the following requirements.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit/stand for long periods of time at a desk; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls on computers; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear in meetings and on the telephone or on the computer in an office or variable setting.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must be able to repeatedly lift 60+ pounds in various conditions. This position is physically demanding and requires an aptitude for manual labor.

COMPENSATION & HOURS

• Part-time position: 25-30 hours a week. Hours change due to the seasonal nature of our programs. More hours in the summer.
• Employees can work all hours or a portion of hours available. Hours available:
  • Tuesdays, 6am-12noon
  • Wednesday 8am-4pm, 9am-5pm, 10am-6pm
  • Thursdays 5am-1pm
  • Fridays 9am-2pm
• Rate of pay starts at $16 per hour.
• Sick and Safe leave time accrued according to hours worked starting Day 1.
• Shifts will be Monday through Friday.

HOW TO APPLY

• Fill out our online application linked here.
• No phone calls or drop ins please.
• Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.

This is a part-time hourly position, 32 hours/week — Saturday mornings required (7am-2pm).

Harvest Kitchen is a program of Farm Fresh Rhode Island. It is part of Farm Fresh RI's initiative to increase the variety of value-added local farm products available, and part of the organization's mission to create a community-based food system. Started in 2010, Harvest Kitchen covers multiple facets of programming, including a 20-week culinary and job-readiness training program for youth that are involved with the RI Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF); a sister production/training program that operates within the Rhode Island Training School; and a local food cafe attached to our commercial kitchen and training space that helps support our training program). All products created by Harvest Kitchen use ingredients sourced from local farms. The program focuses on empowering youth to understand how their activities connect to the local food system while gaining the necessary skills and experiences to be able to pursue their personal and professional goals.

Job Function/Purpose of Role
The Harvest Kitchen Markets Lead reports directly to the Harvest Kitchen (HK) Program Director to ensure that all market sales goals are met, inventory is reconciled monthly, and farmers markets are staffed effectively. Working closely with the HK Chef Educator, the Markets Lead prepares our trainees to participate in farmers markets by providing retail and customer service education. The Markets Lead should be willing and able to work in our Pawtucket location with HK students at least once a week to better familiarize themself with the program and what it is that we try to do.

Farmers Market Responsibilities

• Pack and stage product and materials to be sold at all Farm Fresh RI/HK retail sales outlets.
• Transport market sales equipment and product from our Providence office to market sites and off-site events.
• Ensure marketing materials accurately reflect pricing, mission, and seasonality.
• Record sales transactions and balance market sales sheets at the end of each market.
• Manage and supervise Harvest Kitchen seasonal market staff.
• Purchase and maintain inventory on market supplies.
• Maintain updated inventory-level tracking documents and submit monthly inventory reports.
• Educate trainees on retail sales and customer service.
• Supervise and mentor trainees at the markets.

Harvest Kitchen Cafe Responsibilities

• Perform administrative tasks: documents, organizing, and updating.
• Mentor trainees in the cafe.
• Assist in management of volunteers at the cafe.
• Assist in production of the high-quality jarred products within the HK product line.

Job Requirements

• Outgoing and able to connect with a range of audiences
• Multilingual, Spanish speaking preferred
• High School diploma or equivalent
• Interest in nutrition, public health, and environmental issues preferred
• Experience in retail sales preferred
• Ability to multitask and respond to changing priorities
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Strong computer skills and data interpretation
• Valid drivers license and reliable transportation
• Available to work Saturdays 7:00am-2:30pm year-round
• Able to bend and lift loads up to 50 pounds

Compensation

• $17 an hour
• Mileage reimbursement

To Apply

• Email [email protected] with the subject line “HK Farmers Market Lead.”
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
• No phone calls or walk-ins please.

The Rental Events Associate plays a key role in the Farm Fresh RI team by overseeing the use of the Farm Fresh RI building (10 Sims Ave, Providence) by the general public. The Associate’s role is to be the point of contact during events held in the building while ensuring smooth operations for the renter and their guests and reinforcing Farm Fresh RI’s commitment to DEI initiatives. Ongoing communications with the internal and external stakeholders, exceptional customer service, timeliness, and flexibility are central to the functions of this role.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Acts as a liaison and maintains positive relationships with renters, fostering relationships with individuals from varied cultural, economic, educational, racial, and religious backgrounds.
• Ensures a clean and organized space for renters and their guests upon arrival.
• Uses active listening and problem-solving skills to troubleshoot problems that may occur during the course of event(s).
• Ensures rented spaces are clean and the building is secure post event with no damage to the property.
• Escalates concerns or potential problems that may arise to the Rental Events Manager and/or Property Manager.
• Provides ongoing support to encourage a collaborative teamwork environment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Needed to Perform this Role

• High school diploma or GED equivalent preferred.
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal) with a proven ability to effectively establish and nurture strong working relationships.
• Spanish speaking or other language skills preferred.
• Detail and customer service oriented, with demonstrated commitment to success of team members and Farm Fresh RI's mission and values.
• Strong and evolving commitment to participating in Farm Fresh RI’s DEI goals.
• Proficiency in MS Office and Google Suite.
• Must be able to type 50+ wpm.
• Must be flexible and reliable in time management, and willing to work evenings and/or weekends in support of customer needs.

Physical Demands (Physical, Mental, and Environmental)
The following capabilities are required in order to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden on the company are available to address the following requirements.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls on computers; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear in meetings, crowded spaces and on the telephone or on the computer in an office or variable setting.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Employee must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. on occasion.

Compensation

• This is a part-time, hourly position.
• Rate of pay is $16 per hour, time-and-a-half on Sundays.
• This role requires variable hours, nights and weekends.

To Apply

• Email Leigh Vincola with an introduction, [email protected].
• No calls or walk-ins please.