Program Manager, Green Cart Program

Karp Resources is dedicated to the successful growth of food and agricultural enterprises and comprises of 2 business units: Good Food is Good Business and Good People are Good Business. The firm works with multiple sectors: education, corporations, government, non-profit and small business to design and operate food programs and businesses. The Good Food is Good Business unit supports clients in the planning and integration of "good food" into their strategic and organizational infrastructure.

NYC Green Cart is an initiative centered around the creation of 1,000 new mobile food vending permits for carts that sell whole fresh fruits and vegetables (the "Green Carts") in select New York City neighborhoods that currently have the least availability of these products. The purpose of this initiative is to promote improved nutrition in low income NYC neighborhoods through increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. The goals are dependent on the successful introduction and support of Green Cart entrepreneurs in the targeted neighborhoods.

Position Overview: 

The Program Manager is responsible for leading and implementing operations towards the program's success and supervises direct reports. Together the Karp Resources Green Cart team provides operational support to the vendors' success. The NYC Green Cart Manager will report to the Senior Consultant at Karp Resources.

NYC Green Cart is a project of the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City, in collaboration with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the NYC Food Policy Coordinator's office. The program is funded by the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund.

Responsibilities:

The Green Cart Program Manager will design and lead support services for Green Cart vendors, manage a small team of field assistants, and work in partnership with our Karp Resources team and Client to develop and create expansion opportunities for the Green Cart Initiative.

Key responsibilities include providing bi-lingual business development services to vendors in support of their success as small business entrepreneurs, in addition to managing the operational team. This includes leading the team to develop connections between Green Cart vendors and distributors of fresh fruits and vegetables, effective business consulting, marketing outreach and educational support for Green Cart vendors, liaising with press, client and funder, and upholding all of the tracking and administration of the Green Cart Initiative.

• Lead a team of field assistants and support staff in daily operations of the Green Cart Program.
• Manage program budget, staff schedules and NYC-directed Green Cart vendor application process
• Build a network of, and make recommendations for, produce procurement and selecting suppliers/distributors.
• Prepare and deliver talks and execute public relations activities for the Green Cart Program.
• Create a regular calendar system for program needs, workshops, and seasonal requirements. Oversee the Green Cart "hotline" implemented by team to provide customer service for vendors.
• Upkeep of accurate data and metrics relevant to the need of client and DOH.
• Manage the EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) pilot process and liaise with NYS government officials.
• Establish models for cooperative or collective purchasing at Green Cart commissaries or other central locations, and cart storage/transportation to and from the commissary/storage locations.
• Create, produce and distribute innovative marketing materials for vendor education and operations.
• Develop and guide community engagement and partnerships for Green Cart vendors with internal team and community based organizations.
• Prepare bi-weekly updates and attend monthly meetings with Client (NYC Department of Health and NYC Food Policy Coordinator).
• Prepare quarterly program report for Client.
• Liaise with collaborating organizations and government agencies involved with the project, including Greenmarket, New York State Dept. of Agriculture and Markets, NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and NYC Food Coordinator.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Fluency in Spanish and English (written and spoken)
• Clean Driver's License
• Supervisory experience
• Outstanding communications skills in multi-cultural environment
• Small business/finance experience
• Strong project management skills
• Patient and focused approach
• Excellent team and time management skills
• Results oriented and customer focused
• Work independently with minimal supervision with strong self-starter and entrepreneurial spirit
• 2+ years work experience in community development sector or business entrepreneurship development, preferably with food component
• Dedicated to community development in New York City's multi-cultural environment
• Excellent in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint

Compensation: Karp Resources offers a competitive salary and benefits including health insurance.  

This is a full time position and is based on a contract through August 2011. There may be additional project opportunities at Karp Resources during this time and after August 2011. The Green Cart Program Manager will be located at our SoHo office in downtown Manhattan. Travel throughout the 5 boroughs is required by use of public transportation and company ZipCar account.

To Apply: 

Highly qualified, bi-lingual candidates are encouraged to apply by submitting resume and cover letter, including salary requirements and unique qualifications for this position to email. Karp Resources requires background checks and a computer literacy test for finalists for this position.

Karp Resources is an Equal Opportunity Employer