Local food, Urban farms

Position: Sales and Processing Supervisor
Organization: Sole Food Street Farms
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia. On-site at our Olympic Village farm.

Wage: Starting at $20.00 per/hour
Term: Seasonal role, with opportunities for extension

Who We Are

Founded in 2009, Sole Food Street Farms is a community-driven social enterprise that transforms vacant urban land into thriving farms while providing meaningful employment and training opportunities for residents of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

Our 3-acre Olympic Village Farm grows high-quality fruits and vegetables that are distributed through farmers’ markets, local restaurants, our CSA program, and donations to the Downtown Eastside community. As one of North America’s largest urban farms, Sole Food has produced over one million pounds of fresh food, paid over two million dollars in wages, and provided training and employment to hundreds of individuals—all in the heart of Vancouver.

We create life-changing opportunities for people facing barriers to traditional employment, offering hands-on training in intensive urban agriculture. With few production farms within the city, our project provides a credible model of high-quality, small-scale urban farming. Hear directly from our farmers about how Sole Food has impacted their lives: “Sole Food Saved My Life.”

Sole Food operates on the unceded and traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. We are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace, and we strongly encourage applications from women, BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, and anyone with lived experience that aligns with our mission.

Position Description

The Sales & Processing Supervisor (SPS) leads and supervises a collaborative team in the execution of the onsite market, community supported agriculture (CSA) program, and well-managed post-harvest processing, inventory, and distribution of all farm produce. The SPS also supports the execution of a strong sales and communications strategy. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, be self-driven, and have a keen eye for detail. The successful candidate will also be patient and compassionate with excellent interpersonal skills.

The SPS reports directly to the Co-Manager, Sales and Program (SP), and indirectly reports for the Co-Manager, Farm Operations (FO). The SPS frequently collaborates with the Executive Director, Farm Supervisors, a knowledgeable team of farmers and volunteers. The SPS will oversee staff and volunteers while working in processing, supporting distribution, and at on-site market/CSA.

The SPS is a seasonal hourly position (classified as Farm Worker under BC Employment Standards) that begins in the spring and runs through late October or early November. The role will begin with part-time hours from March 16 to early May, and full-time hours from May through October. This position includes offset shifts each Wednesday and occasional additional weekdays with the onset of the CSA program and the seasonal farmers’ markets. Hours may be reduced again in the shoulder seasons (April–June and September–November).

Responsibilities

Post-Harvest Processing

• Oversee post-harvest processing of all farm produce; this includes washing, weighing, recording, and quality control. Report any issues with produce quality and volume to FO
• Delegate tasks to assisting staff members as necessary to meet deadlines, while providing direction, quality coaching, and supervision
• Teach processing techniques to new and returning staff keeping in mind the unique barriers people might be experiencing and working with patience and empathy. Assist in creating opportunities for farmers who want to support in processing or sales
• Maintain a clean and organized processing station, composting all scraps at the end of each day, cleaning tables and sweeping stations
• Manage and clean the supply of totes and crates used to harvest and store produce
• Lead by example as a pace-setter and role model, fostering a safe, inclusive, and positive workspace
• Restock processing supplies as needed and report to SP when materials are running low (i.e. paper and plastic bags, rubberbands)

Inventory Management

• Oversee the flow of all inventory, providing accurate counts of items in cooler and dry storage to the SP via slack. Communicate any discrepancies with special attention on over/dead stock
• Assist in distribution decisions based on quality, labour, and resource constraints
• Collaborate with Farm Supervisors in assuring harvest deadlines are met with adequate time for processing
• Pack inventory for markets, restaurants, and CSA concisely and in response to varying deadlines
• Accurate record-keeping and data entry for: market take sheets, csa actuals, returns, reallocations (including donations, staffed items, and waste) and restaurant sales to maintain an accurate harvest log
• Assist SP in with creating efficient data tracking processes and work collaboratively to solve “crunch points”

• Communicate donations availability and quantity to SP and assist as needed with communications with partner organizations
• Manage tote inventory and report to SP when stock is low and returns are needed

Sales & Communication

• Participate in weekly field walks with CMs and Farm Supervisors to discuss crop health, production, and identify new opportunities
• Assist SP in maintaining relationships with chefs through timely communication, outreach and appreciation
• Strategize on-site market sales and CSA share offering with CMs. Aim to increase weekly sales by discussing harvest, pricing, and sales strategies

• Supervise onsite market to crew to complete necessary tasks, including set up and take down of tents and tables; loading and unloading the truck; stocking produce and managing quality; assisting customers; and handling payment
• Provide feedback to the farm team on customer responses regarding quality and variety
• Timely and accurate market cash reporting
• Opportunity for community engagement and communications involvement, including but not limited to social media, newsletters, community partner meetings and outreach (dependent on interest/skills).

Other

• Flexibility to assist in other areas of the farm as needed, tasks include seeding, transplanting, harvesting, pruning, bed preparation, irrigating, various manual labour jobs in the field, greenhouse, or orchards

Skills and Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of experience handling food, either direct farm processing experience, commercial kitchen, or industrial food preparation. Experience with high-end kitchen produce standards is an asset
• Strong organizational skills including multi-tasking, prioritizing, planning, and effective time management
• Must be comfortable working towards and managing multiple deadlines
• Strong communication skills including listening, educating, delegating, and demonstrating empathy and patience while leading
• Proficient at Excel, MailChimp (email communication platforms), and online ordering platforms
• Interest and experience in producing social content
• Attention to detail, such as variations in the quality of a product or bunch size, is a major asset
• Motivated, flexible, and able to work independently
• A valid driver’s license and ability to drive larger vehicles is an asset
• This is a physically demanding position that requires the ability to lift up to 50 lbs and stay on your feet for extended periods
• Fluency in written and spoken English, knowledge of a second language is an asset

Benefits:
Optional extended health benefits available after three months of employment. Access to free farm products. All employees are entitled to 5 days of paid sick leave and vacation pay starting at 4%.

To Apply

Please submit your resume, cover letter, and three references as a single PDF to info@solefoodfarms.com with the subject line “Sales and Processing Supervisor”.

While we appreciate all responses, only candidates under consideration will be contacted.

We are committed to equity and diversity in our workplace and strive to reflect the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from women, BIPOC, and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, as well as others with lived experience that aligns with our mission.

Please mention you saw this at FoodWork.ca.