Project Coordinator

About Us

• Shared Plate Strategies LLC is transforming school food procurement in California and across the US. We work with school districts to build local food systems that benefit students, farmers, and communities. We are rooted in regional food systems, local agriculture and institutional supply chains. Our services span from sourcing relationships, training and logistics, to program design and implementation. We are leveraging and developing technology at every step, and are growing fast and with intention. We get to work with the best clients and have a lot of fun pushing the envelope in school food procurement – all while maintaining our mission-drive and supportive culture.

About the Job

• We are seeking a Project Coordinator / Food Systems Associate to support our district-related project work. This role reports to a Project Manager and involves hands-on collaboration with school districts to implement values-aligned procurement initiatives and improve child nutrition program procurement practices. The day-to-day tasks of this job include meeting with clients, developing and managing school bid solicitations from writing specifications to awarding to vendors, creating procurement policies and protocols for school districts, facilitating group meetings, analyzing purchasing data, communicating with vendors and more, This is a critical role on our team that includes consistent mentorship and opportunities to grow.

Key Responsibilities

• Support numerous clients through technical assistance, building rapport with comfort in interpersonal dialogue and relationship building while providing advanced technical expertise

• Collaborate with a supportive team to utilize technology and artificial intelligence, developing and evolving systems and data management to advance school food procurement

• Support project implementation for school district clients across multiple farm-to-school, values-aligned and wide-ranging child nutrition procurement initiatives

• Coordinate between districts, farmers, distributors, and other stakeholders in the food supply chain

• Support advanced data analysis

• Conduct research on local food systems, procurement regulations, and best practices

• Help develop client materials, reports, and project documentation

• Participate in client meetings and site visits as needed

• Track project timelines, deliverables, and outcomes

• Support relationship building between schools and local food producers

• Facilitate trainings and network/ collective meetings

• Assist with compliance and regulatory guidance related to school food procurement

• Travel an estimated 5%-10% (100-200 hours per year) fully funded, including occasional evenings and weekends. Travel is not considered a prominent part of the role however is important when necessary

Perks

• We are a true community, supporting each other to take time off and have full lives outside of work while advancing the collective cause of the business and the communities we serve. We are dedicated to problem solving and working hard while lifting each other up to advance our mission together. We also have unlimited PTO, full medical benefits, share good books and music, and see each other as humans.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field (food systems, nutrition, public administration, agriculture, economics, or related)

• Strong project coordination and organizational skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities

• Attention to detail

• Proficiency with Google Suite and quick adaptability to many new software applications for project management and technical assistance

• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders

Preferred:

• Passion for supporting child nutrition leaders and suppliers to enhance school food

• Experience working with school districts or educational institutions

• Knowledge of USDA Child Nutrition Programs and procurement regulations

• Familiarity with local food systems and agricultural supply chains

• Experience in consulting or client services environments

• Understanding of food safety requirements and standards

• Project management certification or training

Bonus Points

• Experience in related procurement and food systems leadership
• Advanced technological development initiatives and teams
• Experience with leveraging Artificial Intelligence to meet client and company goals
• Understanding adult and student educational development
• Exceptional creativity and analytical thinking in independent work

What We Offer

• Opportunity to make meaningful impact on student nutrition and local food systems

• Collaborative, mission-driven work environment

• Professional development and growth opportunities

• Unlimited PTO, full medical benefits, 401k with match

• 100% remote with option to work from San Luis Obispo office

Shared Plate Strategies is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.