Job Description

About the Organization:

The Upcycled Food Association (UFA) is the only industry association dedicated to catalyzing the upcycled economy to prevent food loss and waste across the entire supply chain. Solving food waste is a top solution to climate change, and upcycled foods are a tangible and practical way to tackle this problem. The Upcycled Food Association is leveraging market forces to prevent food waste by coordinating hundreds of companies around the world and empowering millions of consumers to prevent climate change with the products they buy!

UFA launched in 2019 with nine founding companies and has now grown to over 240 companies across 22 countries. UFA is the hub of the upcycled industry, fostering a vibrant community, delivering cutting-edge research and driving consumer awareness of upcycled products and ingredients. UFA Membership comprises pioneering consumer goods companies, retailers, ingredients suppliers, technology providers, and other food system change makers from around the world.

The Upcycled Food Association is a 501(c)(6) membership-based nonprofit that serves to promote the needs of the upcycled food industry. The Upcycled Food Association operates and controls the Upcycled Food Foundation, a 501(c)(3) Type 1 supporting organization, whose mission to provide food waste education in service of the upcycled food industry.

About the Role:

UFA has experienced significant growth and success in its first four years since being founded – and we’re just getting started. The opportunity to reduce the amount of wasted food globally through upcycling is huge, and we’re looking for a leader with fresh energy and perspective to help us evolve and realize our vision for impact.

The next CEO will be excited by and impressed with the work UFA has done, and has a vision for the future. The CEO is central to maintaining and enlivening the organization’s mission by building on existing partnerships, programs and resources. You will be responsible for a full scope of organizational activities, from ensuring operational and

financial sustainability, to building organizational capacity, and deepening relationships with the Board, donors, and the member community. You will enjoy the privilege and responsibility of bringing together a diverse membership and skilled staff and board, whose backgrounds and experiences are critical to the success and vibrancy of the organization.

Who You Are:

• You’re an evangelist for the cause. You think wasted food is a silly problem to have and are persistent in motivating others to join you in the solution.
• You’re curious, creative and entrepreneurial in how you approach challenges and opportunities – you’ll be ready to hit the ground
• You love talking to new, different people every day, and are always thinking about how you can partner to achieve a greater impact.
• You know people are the engine of any movement, and are fanatical about fostering a positive community and team culture.
• You’re self aware, and not afraid to ask for help when you need it.

In 2024 you will:

• Develop and deliver a strategic plan and roadmap by working with the Board of Directors, staff, funders, and association members
• Increase contributed and earned income by 30% with a focus on growing association membership and increasing discretionary unrestricted funds
• Lead efforts to build awareness of upcycled foods and UFA’s services by sharing the story of our impact across the sustainable product and ingredient industry
• Begin identifying and cultivating new revenue streams, donors and other funding sources to engage and support our work

Your other responsibilities include:

• Team Management & Leadership: Lead and manage a team of three, providing effective leadership, fostering collaboration, and ensuring the achievement of team goals through strategic direction and mentorship.
• Financial Management: Oversee comprehensive financial management for the Upcycled Food Association, a 501(c)(6) organization, and the Upcycled Food Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, including strategic financial planning, budgeting, and reporting, managing multiple income streams, and ensuring fiscal responsibility across the two nonprofit entities.
• Brand Building & Thought Leadership: Drive brand building and thought leadership initiatives, establishing a compelling and consistent organizational identity, and positioning the company as an industry authority through strategic communication, partnerships, and innovative leadership practices.
• Relationship Building & Partnership Development: Cultivate impactful relationships and lead strategic partnership development initiatives with other nonprofits, trade associations, service providers and policy makers to drive the upcycled food industry’s influence, fostering collaborations that enhance sustainability and promote the broader adoption of upcycled products
• Operational Oversight: Provide comprehensive operational oversight, ensuring seamless execution of program strategies and initiatives, efficient resource allocation, and agile decision-making to drive sustainable growth and organizational success.
• Board Management & Engagement: Actively engage and guide the Board of Directors, fostering open communication, strategic alignment, and collaborative decision-making to advance the organization’s mission and enhance overall governance effectiveness.

Experience that makes you a standout candidate:

(Note: This is not a checklist for every requirement. We encourage you to apply if any of this sounds like you!)

• Organizational management, including financial oversight, with the ability to remotely coach staff, manage, and develop high-performance teams
• Specific examples of having developed and operationalized strategies that have taken an organization to the next stage of growth
• Driving complex initiatives involving a wide range of stakeholders and cultures, a plus if this work is related to food systems sustainability
• Fundraising experience (VC and/or grant funding from a variety of sources)
• Experience working with the CPG and retail industry to commercialize new product concepts or sustainability initiatives
• Movement building and/or engaging member-based or trade association industries
• Nonprofit management under leadership of Board of Directors
• Brand and content marketing
• Public speaking

Benefits:

• Position is currently scoped at $110,000 – $115,000 USD annually, overtime exempt, with opportunity to grow as financial metrics are achieved
• $250 per month health reimbursement
• $50 per month home office stipend
• Unlimited PTO
• Simple IRA savings account with 3% matching
• Fully remote work opportunity; occasional travel and non-traditional hours work may be required (1-2x per month
• Flexible schedule, based on what you need to ensure your personal sustainability in the role

How to Apply

To Apply:

Submit your cover letter, resume and a content sample demonstrating thought leadership such as a written article, recorded presentation or podcast recording here.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through Sunday, February 4, 2024 or until we have received 75 applications.

What to Expect:

The organization is hoping to fill this position by March 4, 2024.

The hiring process will involve a pre-screening call and three rounds of interviews with current and incoming UFA Board of Directors as well as UFA staff, beginning the week of January 30th. Interviews will not exceed 60 minutes. Role finalists should expect to deliver a short presentation based on a shared prompt during the second round interview.

Job Categories: Sustainable Agriculture / Food. Job Types: Full-Time. Job Tags: food systems, relationships, and sustainability. Salaries: 100,000 and above.

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