Managing Director

Statement of Intention

Halifax Regional Food Hub is a brand new co-operative that wants to make an impactful difference on Nova Scotia’s food system. The Managing Director is the first hire and this person will set the tone for much of the organization to come. It is imperative this work is done by people that deeply respect the diversity of our many communities and will strive to cultivate a diverse and inclusive workforce.

As such, we welcome applications from all interested individuals, placing a particular emphasis and priority on candidates from historically excluded groups. We encourage submissions from those identifying as African Nova Scotian, Mi’kmaq, Black, racialized, Indigenous/First Nation, a person with disability, 2SLGBTQIA+, and newcomers to Canada. We invite you to share this information in your cover letter or resume, and we invite you to express your pronouns.

We have chosen to collaborate closely with the P4G search team because they are dedicated to creating a safe space for you to openly discuss your experiences, preferences, and any accommodations that may support you. This partnership ensures that your information is handled with sensitivity and respect.

About Halifax Regional Food Hub

The Halifax Regional Food Hub (the Hub) is an active and emerging co-operative dedicated to building and strengthening Nova Scotia’s local food system. By connecting local producers throughout mainland Nova Scotia to wholesale buyers in Halifax, Dartmouth, and adjacent communities, the Hub provides essential services such as aggregation, storage (dry, cold, and frozen), online ordering and payment processing, and order fulfillment and delivery. Wholesale buyers include community organizations, institutions, and independently-owned food businesses.

To address the gap between local producers and wholesale buyers, the Halifax Regional Food Hub is designing a cost-effective distribution model. This model supports and brings together local producers, builds Nova Scotia’s local food infrastructure, and creates efficient channels for food distribution. As a result, the Hub will enhance Nova Scotia’s economic resiliency, food security, and food sovereignty.

The founding members of the Halifax Regional Food Hub, who currently serve on the board of directors, include representatives from Nourish Nova Scotia, Farmers’ Markets of Nova Scotia, Mobile Food Market, Feed Nova Scotia, Novalea Kitchen, and the Halifax Regional Municipality. Their collective support and connection, along with the involvement of existing and new members of the cooperative, are vital to the Hub’s success as it unfolds

This Moment, This Position

 

The Halifax Regional Food Hub is at an exciting and critical stage of its development. We are embarking on a journey to create a vibrant local food system that connects producers with wholesale buyers, enhancing Nova Scotia’s food security and sovereignty. Incorporated as a non-profit co-operative, this initiative has the potential to make a significant impact, and we need an extraordinary leader to turn this vision into reality.

As the Managing Director, you will play a crucial role in laying the foundation for the food hub’s success. Reporting to the board, you will identify and secure a suitable physical site, recruit a dedicated team, build strong relationships with local food producers and wholesale buyers, and set up essential systems for aggregation, storage, online ordering, payment processing, and order fulfillment. Your entrepreneurial spirit, strong connection to the local food community, and understanding of the opportunities and challenges of our local food system will be key.

This is an opportunity to lead an initiative that will have a lasting impact on Nova Scotia’s local food infrastructure. We need someone who thrives on running a lean and efficient operation, and who leads with integrity and a people-first approach.

Position Responsibilities

• Team Growth – In concert with the board of directors, recruit, hire, orient, train, and lead the performance of a team of five to ten employees and volunteers.
• Food Producer Recruitment and Retention – Recruiting and maintaining good working relations with 50-100 food producers located throughout mainland Nova Scotia, with the intention of onboarding them as members of the cooperative
• Wholesale Buyer Recruitment and Retention – Recruit and maintain good working relations with a minimum of 20 wholesale food buyers located in the Halifax Regional Municipality, with the intention of onboarding them as members of the cooperative.
• Fund Development – In consultation with the board, develop and implement a fund development strategy, including grants, sponsorships, donations (individual and crowdfunding), and fundraising events.
• Partnership Development & Communication – Build and maintain strong relationships with allied organizations, including other food hubs, farmers’ markets, the NS Federation of Agriculture, the NS Department of Agriculture, and nonprofits focused on food sovereignty and food security throughout Nova Scotia. Establish a transparent and effective communication and engagement system, providing regular reports to members.
• Financial Sustainability & Management – Ensure the co-operative’s core operations are financially self-sustaining and contribute to developing substantial reserves (retained earnings). In collaboration with the board treasurer and CPA, develop and implement the budget, financial policies, accounting system, and cash management.
• Board Liaison – Support the board and board committees as necessary, providing clear reporting (marketing, financial, operational) every month, actively participating in board discussions, assisting with board development activities
• Development of Online Ordering Platform – Work with an established e-commerce platform (e.g. https://home.localfoodmarketplace.com/) to create a comprehensive solution to connect food producers to wholesale customers
• Startup Project Management – Identify and secure a physical location for the food hub, which may include oversight of upgrades and retrofits.
• Operations Management – Oversee the ordering, shipping, storage, and delivery of food products.
• Organizational Communications and Media Relations – Be the voice of the Halifax Food Hub with all key stakeholders and media.

What would help you succeed?

• Demonstrated non-profit management or co-operative management experience.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration is considered an asset.
• Minimum 5 years of applicable experience and at least 3 years of supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and licensing within the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
• Supply-chain/wholesale food distribution industry experience.
  Ability to convey a vision of the Halifax Regional Food Hub’s strategic future to employees, board, customers, vendors, donors, and the general public.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a wide variety of people and perspectives, to create a culture of collaboration, and to manage conflicts.
  An understanding of how cooperative member engagement is the foundation for creating long-term member commitment.
• Demonstrated ability to lead in a small, start-up environment that is fast-paced and multi-faceted.
• Must have the ability to learn new technology quickly.
• Successful experience as a manager who is responsible for a team that generates revenue, consistently meeting or exceeding financial and social impact targets.
• Solid, hands-on, budget management skills, including budget preparation, analysis, decision-making and reporting.
• Experience in developing strategies which is demonstrated through strong organizational abilities including planning, delegating, program development and task facilitation.
• Strong aptitude for verbal and written communication, presentation, public speaking and relationship development.
• In-depth knowledge of principles and practices related to food security, social justice, and systemic change.Demonstrated interest in learning fundraising strategies and donor relations unique to the nonprofit sector.
• Reliable access to transportation throughout the Halifax Regional Municipality and rural areas in Nova Scotia.

The Package

• Salary: $75,000 – $90,000
  Benefits:
  4 weeks vacation
• Groups health benefits plan
• Company laptop and phone
• Flexible schedule

Location: Both remote and on-site work (in the Halifax Regional Municipality) will be required.
Travel: Travel throughout Nova Scotia on a regular basis will be required.

 

Applications will be accepted until 12 p.m. on August 26, 2024.

Please be sure to include a cover letter that speaks to your experience, but we also want to get a glimpse of your personality. Don’t be generic, be yourself.

What to Expect

We closely review all applications and read each cover letter (we promise).
If you are selected as a top candidate, expect an invitation to chat with a Lead Placemaker from P4G. This is someone who treats the recruitment process non-traditionally. We want to get to know what inspires you.
Selected candidates will proceed to a virtual interview with the Lead P4G Placemaker and 2-3 organization representatives.
Finalists may participate in a second-round interview or skills activity (virtual or in person).
P4G will check employment references and assist in presenting an offer to the successful candidate.