Food Sourcing Coordinator ($40,000 - $60,000)

As a Food Sourcing Coordinator at the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, you will be responsible for the procurement and sourcing of food to support our mission of alleviating hunger. This includes establishing strong relationships with food donors like farmers and retailers, managing incoming orders and outgoing deliveries, and ensuring all operational workflows comply with our purchasing policies. You'll be the key link between our stakeholders and the internal team, promoting a collaborative and efficient food sourcing environment.

To apply for the Food Sourcing Coordinator position at the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, candidates should possess an associate degree in a related field along with some purchasing experience. A valid Michigan driver's license, OSHA certification, and CPR/First Aid certification are also required. Prior experience with food distribution and operating equipment like pallet jacks is highly preferred. Strong communication and organizational skills, along with the ability to work well both independently and as part of a team, are critical for success in this role.

The work environment for a Food Sourcing Coordinator at the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan is a balanced mix of office and fieldwork. While most of your day-to-day tasks will involve desk work using computers to manage sourcing activities, some physical activities are also involved, such as event set-ups. You'll have the opportunity to collaborate with various stakeholders, attend events, and occasionally work evenings and weekends related to community engagement activities. It’s a fulfilling environment centered around teamwork and compassion.

Yes, as a Food Sourcing Coordinator at the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, some travel is required. This travel will mainly be to maintain and nurture relationships with our food donors, farmers, and manufacturers. Establishing these external relationships is critical to the role, ensuring that we have a consistent supply of food to aid our partner agencies and, ultimately, those in need.

Critical skills for a Food Sourcing Coordinator at the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan include strong communication and organizational abilities, problem-solving skills, and proficiency in software applications like Microsoft and Google Suite. It’s also essential to have the capability to manage multiple projects with attention to detail and maintain effective relationships with staff, vendors, and agencies. Leadership skills and sensitivity towards diverse populations will serve you well in this role.

In answering this question, highlight any relevant experience you have in food procurement, emphasizing specific processes or relationships you managed, such as working directly with suppliers or managing inventory. Discuss any software tools you used to track orders or maintain vendor relationships, along with your understanding of food safety regulations.

Explain your time management strategies, such as prioritizing tasks based on deadlines and importance. Provide an example of a time when you successfully managed multiple responsibilities simultaneously, showcasing how you remained organized and focused to meet all objectives.

Discuss your approach to relationship-building, emphasizing the importance of communication and trust. Share specific strategies you would employ to connect with food donors and suppliers, such as regular follow-ups, customized outreach, or community engagement efforts that demonstrate the mission of the Food Bank.

Identify skills such as strong communication, organizational capabilities, problem-solving skills, and the ability to build and maintain relationships. Explain why these skills are essential for the role and provide examples of how you've exemplified them in past positions.

Be prepared to share a specific example of a challenge you faced in procurement, detailing how you recognized the problem, the actions you took, and the outcome. Focus on your problem-solving skills and highlight any collaborations or strategies that led to a successful resolution.

Emphasize your awareness of food safety regulations and the importance of adherence to these standards. Discuss procedures you've followed or training you've undergone that highlight your commitment to upholding safety guidelines in previous roles.

Share your passion for community service and hunger relief, as well as your desire to contribute positively through food sourcing. Relate your motivation to personal experiences or values that align with the mission of the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan.

Describe your communication style and methods for ensuring clear, effective dialogue with team members. Highlight tools you use for collaboration and describe how you encourage open communication, especially in a fast-paced environment.

Discuss proactive methods you use to foster positive vendor relationships, such as regular check-ins, recognizing their contributions, and being responsive to their needs. Provide an example of how maintaining a strong relationship resulted in a successful partnership or outcome.

Outline your process for preparing for inventory management, which could include organizing previous inventory records, scheduling appropriate personnel, and ensuring the necessary equipment is available. Mention how you conduct inventory counts accurately and efficiently to support the operations of the Food Bank.