Spice Kitchen Incubator Program Manager

The Spice Kitchen Incubator Program Manager is responsible for oversight of the Spice Kitchen Incubator program, and specific duties as it relates to food programming and commercial kitchen operations. This includes developing and implementing culinary curriculum for incubator participants, providing supervision to staff, overseeing fundraising and grant administration, and supporting market development for incubation participants. The Spice Kitchen Incubator Manager will be directly involved in providing critical insight to the Spice Kitchen Incubator’s program strategy both with participants as well as organizationally. This is a full time, regular term position.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

•Recruit and supervise Spice Kitchen program staff including Markets Coordinator and Program Coordinator.Supervision responsibilities may increase as the program grows

•Provide strategic planning to Spice Kitchen program and staff including managing program growth and funding strategies

•Support all private grant writing, fundraising, and public relations efforts in collaboration with Food Entrepreneurship Program Officer, Deputy Directors and IRC SLC Executive Director

•Ensure program meets grant requirements and deliverables, and provide required reports.

•Oversee all tracking of program metrics including client case files, activity log, and revenue generated by participants and by the Spice Program, and other metrics as needed. Develop and communicate systems and protocols for all Spice staff regarding data tracking and reporting

•Cultivate and manage community partnerships to strengthen program offerings

•Track and file quarterly Sales and Use taxes for Spice Kitchen’s market opportunities processed through Shopify

II.RECRUITMENT OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

•Oversee the advertising and marketing initiatives, including ad design and communications

PROGRAMMATIC RESPONSIBILITIES

•Work with Program Specialist staff to ensure participants develop clear and intentional product strategies to help them grow their businesses

•Work with Spice Program Coordinator and Markets Coordinator to facilitate access to market opportunities and events

•In coordination with Food Entrepreneurship Program Officer, support development of business growth opportunities for Spice participants, including access to capital and support starting restaurants, mobile food units, packaged product companies, etc.

•Manage program growth including increased number of participants, staff and operational responsibilities

•Other duties, as assigned

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES:

•A minimum of five years related professional experience with the food industry or small business development

•Demonstrated understanding of food business development

•Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing in English, and with people of different linguistic backgrounds; bi-lingual ability preferred.

•Highly organized with excellent time and space management skills.

•Proficient in MS Office Suite; especially Excel and Word

•Good people and conflict resolution skills. Job requires constant interaction with program participants, staff and community stakeholders.

•Patience, flexibility and a good sense of humor

•Previous experience working in multicultural environment

•Culturally competent

•A passion for great food and a willingness to taste anything

•Ability to speak passionately and articulately about the IRC and SPICE Kitchen mission

•Excellent interpersonal relation skills. Professional, friendly, and courteous attitude a must

•Ability to drive a vehicle and must have proof of insurance and good driving record

Work Environment:

•Standard office work environment along with travel in and around the service delivery area

•Ability to safely lift 30+ lbs

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.