Operations Manager

Kilimo Minnesota: Operations Manager

We are looking for an Operations Manager to coordinate and oversee the operations of our dynamic young non-profit. The Operations Manager role is mainly to implement the right processes and practices across the organization. You should be ready to mentor your team members, find ways to support farmer development, increase quality of customer service, and implement best practices across all levels. Ultimately, we’ll trust you to help us remain compliant, and operate effectively and efficiently.
What is Kilimo Minnesota?
Kilimo Minnesota (https://kilimominnesota.org/) is an organic incubator farm with a mission to empower emerging farmers of African descent, socially and economically through mentorship, farmland access navigation and community building. With farm plots in Cambridge, Lino Lakes and other sites close to the Twin Cities, Kilimo (which translates to farming in Swahili) provides the hands-on experience of crop cultivation, crop marketing, business and production classes, field days at other farms, networking, and one-on-one financial and farm business coaching for emerging farmers. Farmers learn to farm as a business and transition to their own farms in 3-4 years.

Responsibilities

• Ensure all operations are carried on in an appropriate, cost-effective way
• Improve operational management systems, processes and best practices
• Find ways to increase quality of customer service
• Supervise Technical Assistants
• Track client farmer development status: 3 year training milestones and business plan progress
• Simplify TA role by preparing standardized communications for TAs to use for farmer communication
• Administer Community Supported Agriculture marketing program including newsletter
• Respond to customer needs
• Renew permits and licenses on a timely basis
• Manage team scheduling
• Handle team Conference registrations, meeting space rental and logistics
• Manage reports, invoice submissions, and farmer leases

Skills

• Proven work experience as Operations Manager or similar management role
• Experience working in a cross-cultural setting
• Experience working in a non-profit setting ideal
• Experience in farming or working with farmers
• Experience in financial tracking
• Excellent communication skills
• Leadership ability

Reporting: Reports to Executive Director, Kilimo
Job Type: Full-time, Work at Kilimo farm sites as well as from home; Ability to flex schedule to support farmer operations during growing season (June-September) as well as some weekend meetings during remainder of year as agreed with supervisor.
Pay: $20-28/hour based on experience
Benefits: Generous benefits plan including health and dental benefits. Paid time off. Contribution to retirement savings. Cell phone stipend.
Education: College education or equivalent (Preferred)
Note to Applicants: This position will be “hosted” by Renewing the Countryside (RTC - https://www.renewingthecountryside.org/). The individual selected will be employed by RTC, but be a Kilimo staff and be supervised by Kilimo. (RTC is the fiscal sponsor for Kilimo.)
How to apply:
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume by email to: jobs@rtcinfo.org. We will begin reviewing applications on May 3, and the position will remain open until filled.   
Renewing the Countryside provides equal opportunity for employment and condemns discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, or any other factor. We are committed to equity and strongly encourage people who are BIPOC, women, LGBTQIA+, and/or from other underrepresented or marginalized communities to apply.