Director of Grocery Connect – Subsidiary of Bonton Farms
Company Overview:
Grocery Connect, an initiative by Bonton Farms, is reshaping the landscape of grocery access in underserved communities. Our non-traditional approach brings grocery shopping to the heart of neighborhoods, offering online ordering and pickup services at our centers powered by our grocery partners advanced platform. Grocery Connect is currently in a proof of concept and pilot process, and we are seeking an experienced and innovative leader to join our team as the Director of Grocery Connect.
What is Bonton?
For the last 200 years, racial injustice and systemic oppression prevented opportunities in Bonton that were a given elsewhere. People here experienced higher rates of diabetes, stroke and cancer, and 48% of residents lived in poverty. Residents have been denied access to the seven human essentials that are necessary to survive and thrive - health & wellness, economic stability, safe and affordable housing, transportation, a sense of belonging, education and access to fair credit. Today, the community is transforming, and healing is coming from within.
Who We Are
Bonton Farms is on a mission is to transform lives by disrupting systems of inequity, laying a foundation where health, wholeness, and opportunity are the norm for all people. While many nonprofits work to solve one issue, Bonton Farms focuses on place-based interventions to build community capacity for long-term change. As the ecosystem of community resources improves, the neighbors in Bonton use these resources to build successful, self-sufficient lives, ultimately interrupting the impact of decades of disenfranchisement. Bonton Farms’ programs focus on the following seven human essentials: economic stability, health and wellness, transportation, education, access to fair credit and community belonging.
Job Overview: As the Director of Grocery Connect, you will be at the forefront of transforming grocery access for communities in need. Reporting directly to the President of Bonton Farms, you will lead the strategic vision, fundraising efforts, team management, and overall growth of Grocery Connect. This role requires a dynamic individual with a proven track record in project management, executive level storytelling, team leadership, and a passion for community well-being.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Visionary Leadership:
Develop a compelling vision and narrative for the Grocery Connect rollout over the next three years.
Develop a robust management team and organizational structure for Grocery Connect to accommodate its growth.
Fundraising and Partnerships:
Pursue national foundations for funding to support the next three years of Grocery Connect rollout and operations as well as continue local fundraising for the duration of the pilot for Grocery Connect.
Craft and communicate a persuasive story, presenting to executive suites of foundations to secure funding.
Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with key stakeholders in the grocery and non-profit sectors.
Provide updates to funders and potential investors as required by the grants, as well as in a regular cadence to continue to show impact.
Team Management and Pilot Implementation:
Direct the pilot implementations of Grocery Connect at three sites in 2024 with a startup mindset, emphasizing the importance of agility, rapid learning, and detail-oriented project management to ensure scalability.
Develop the detailed strategic rollout of 20+ sites over the next three years.
Hire, lead, and manage regional managers of Grocery Connect sites, instilling a culture of attention to detail, innovation, and problem-solving to pre-empt challenges and capitalize on opportunities for growth.
Public Relations and Media Engagement:
Act as the public face of Grocery Connect, engaging with media to promote its growth and impact.
Work with Communications team at Bonton Farms and partners for various PR opportunities.
Communication and Reporting:
Inform the President of Bonton Farms of Grocery Connect's progress and escalate important matters as needed.
Manage the marketing strategy and needs for Grocery Connect
Manage the budget and project funding for Grocery Connect, providing periodic updates to the boards of Bonton Farms or Grocery Connect and sponsoring foundations.
Travel and Site Presence:
While being present in Dallas significantly during the initial months, be comfortable with significant travel to support the rollout and addition of sites over the next several years.
Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree (BA) required.
Proven project management experience with a successful track record of completion.
Demonstrated experience presenting and crafting compelling stories for C-suite executives and Boards of Director-level stakeholders.
Previous team supervision experience, emphasizing the ability to drive deliverables and project completion.
Consulting experience is a plus, showcasing the ability to provide strategic guidance and support.
Knowledge or experience in the grocery industry is advantageous.
Previous involvement in non-profit organizations and fundraising is highly desirable.
Openness and willingness to travel as needed.
Comfortable with a startup culture taking a hands-on, detailed approach when necessary to solve problems
Core Competencies:
Highly effective leader that demonstrates a fundamental respect for the dignity of others. Works collegially and is a proven community builder.
Self-starter that doesn’t require constant oversight while delivering results against the strategic initiatives.
A unifier and able to bring together people from various backgrounds and perspectives of race, socioeconomic status and political beliefs to work together collaboratively and with mutual respect.
An innovator, capable of creating or seizing opportunities to improve service effectiveness and client outcomes and build strategic partnerships with other organizations.
Understands the core values of Bonton Farms as bathed in our Christian faith including our why – “To see the image of God fully manifested in the lives of those we serve.”
Applies managerial and technical skills to measure and improve efficiency and effectiveness. Able to effectively address overlapping projects and deadlines.
Able to form and lead a team in managing multiple and often simultaneous demands of program participants.
A demonstrated commitment to inclusion; valuing a diversity of perspectives and encouraging contributions from all invested entities.
Politically astute and tactful; attentive to the perspectives and competing interests of various internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to thrive in a flexible, growth-oriented environment while maintaining a positive solution-oriented approach.
Visit GroceryConnect.org for more details about our initiative.