Finland Food Chain is hiring! Please help us spread the word!
Application Deadline – May 1, 2022
Planned Start Date – May 16, 2022
How to apply – Cover letter and resume can be emailed or delivered to Dan Cahill Mathews at dan.c@friendsoffinland.org or Finland Food Chain, PO Box 582, Finland, MN 55603 or apply online at http://finlandfoodchain.org/wp/jobs/
Sisu Community Cafe Coordinator
About the Finland Food Chain
The Finland Food Chain (FFC) is a program of Friends of Finland that emerged out of years of work between local producers, consumers, businesses and organizations. In 2018, a community team applied for a Community Innovation Grant through the Bush Foundation. This grant was approved, and the FFC was born.
The FFC bears the mission of cultivating a thriving local food economy by facilitating funding and resources to build knowledge, skills, and infrastructure for ourselves and future generations. The FFC envisions an interrelated local food system where the community collaborates to respond to local needs, culture, resources, and climate.
The FFC works collaboratively with local groups and community members and has facilitated important projects to strengthen the local food system including educational webinars, creation of a community garden, construction of a Wild Rice processing facility, and operation of the popular Finland Farmers Market.
A major project that will play a key role in the long term expansion and efficacy of the local food system is the creation of a worker-owned and community supported restaurant that highlights the bounty of locally grown and sourced foods, supporting farmers and increasing access to quality, sustainable foods for local consumers.
We call this project the SISU COMMUNITY CAFE.
Sisu Community Cafe
Mission Statement: gathering community around local, healthy, sustainable food and nourishing future generations by generating local wealth and community empowerment.
Goals:
- Worker owned co-operative – “we all do better when we all do better”
- Highlight local foods – connect farmers to consumers
- Community atmosphere – welcoming for all
- Great food and friendly service
- Promote and host community events – music, art, gatherings, etc.
Job Summary
We are now hiring a Sisu Community Cafe Coordinator to work with the FFC Coordinating Team specifically to oversee the development of the SISU COMMUNITY CAFE. We have a strong business plan, refined drafts of co-operative founding documents, and a potential location for the restaurant. We are looking for an individual to continue this work and see through the launch and grand opening of the SISU COMMUNITY CAFE. Sisu Community Cafe Coordinator responsibilities include:
- Recruit and organize worker-owners and employees to become the staff of the restaurant and participate in business planning
- Refine and update the SISU COMMUNITY CAFE business plan with support of the FFC coordinating team and worker-owners
- Develop and execute fundraising campaign to meet start-up costs for a successful launch of the restaurant
- Be accountable to the FFC coordinating team to achieve the goals of the co-operative including:
- Development and delivery of the co-operative restaurant services (menu planning, customer service experience, co-operative structure)
- Promotion of the SISU COMMUNITY CAFE through branding, social media marketing, and storytelling
- Business plan budgeting and financial reporting
- Community outreach and engagement regarding project updates, fundraising opportunities, and community events
- Creation of and support for the co-operative Board of Directors
Reports to: FFC coordinating team and co-operative Board of Directors
Supervises: Co-operative employees and planning committees
Schedule/Requirements Part-time, 15-20 hrs/week with intention to become a full time worker-owner of the SISU COMMUNITY CAFE upon business launch in Winter/Spring 2023
Hours may be spent at the contractor’s discretion in relation to the expectations, duties and responsibilities of the job. There may be occasional hours on weekends, evenings, calls and texts outside the “normal” work week hours to best accomplish the tasks of the job.
Personal transportation is required and occasional travel outside the area may be needed. No “office space” is provided. Contractor provides their own computer and phone.
Preferred Skills and Qualifications:
- Effective communication skills, both written and verbal
- Familiarity and experience with co-operative businesses structures
- Experience in restaurants, food service, or food systems – especially managerial
- Proficiency with social media and marketing platforms
- Managerial leadership including facilitating meetings, delegating tasks, and conflict resolution
- Self-starter who can work well independently, prioritize tasks, manage workloads, skilled in creative problem-solving
- Experience in community outreach, engagement, and organizing
- Strong proficiency in Google Drive or Microsoft Office suites, spreadsheet development, organizational skills, and recordkeeping
- Reliable private vehicle for occasional travel
- Fundraising/Grant writing experience a plus
Compensation $15-20/hr depending on experience