Spice Kitchen Incubator Program Coordinator

IRC Background:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933, the IRC is at work in over 40 countries and 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, regain control of their future and strengthen their communities. The IRC in Salt Lake City (IRC SLC) opened in 1994 and provides resettlement services through extended case management to newly arrived refugees for up to 24-months as well as over twenty different programs to educate and empower refugees. Spice Kitchen Incubator, a program of IRC SLC, is an innovative food business incubator supporting refugees, immigrants and disadvantaged community members to start successful food businesses in Utah.

Job Overview:

The position coordinates service delivery for all program participants in the Spice Kitchen Incubator. The position is responsible for program operations including recruiting program participants; recruiting and supervising volunteers; coordinating, refining and reporting on training and technical assistance activities for participants; and community engagement including program outreach and key local partnerships. The Program Coordinator will be directly involved in the Spice Kitchen Incubator’s program strategy with participants as well as organizationally. The Program Coordinator reports directly to the Spice Kitchen Program Manager and orchestrates work with the Spice Kitchen team and stakeholders to deliver technical assistance as a part of participants’ general business development. This is a full time, regular term position.

Major Responsibilities:

This position coordinates program service delivery including application processes, interviews, orientations, pre-incubation, incubation and graduation services by assisting participants to develop clear and intentional business plans in the pre-incubation phase and acquiring the skills and resources needed to grow their businesses once in incubation resulting in graduation within five years.

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

• Liaise community outreach and participant recruitment

• Coordinate interviews with potential participants and orientation for accepted participants

• Coordinate workshops and technical assistance with program participants at all phases to achieve business development goals, including developing business plans as well as business growth and scale-up for participants

• Assist participants in obtaining permits, licenses, and insurance as necessary

• Provide hands-on support in the commercial kitchen to support participants to prepare and package products for market opportunities

• Coordinate bundle service delivery with other IRC SLC programs including financial capability services and products, English as a Second Language classes, digital literacy, immigration, and health and dental services

• Manage participant flow and program capacity to ensure active participants receive quality services and access to resources to grow their businesses

• Revise culinary incubation curriculum for pre-incubation and incubation as needed to ensure up-to-date programming

• Cultivate and manage resource partnership relations including with other IRC SLC programs; networking with local Chambers of Commerce for market access, networking, and expertise; and collaborating with local Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), Small Business Administration (SBA) offices, and the Women’s Business Center. Partnerships also include collaborating with other technical assistance providers and managing contacts at local university programs including Salt Lake Community College, and the University of Utah

• Support Market Access Research projects within the Spice team to assess Pre-packaged/E-commerce pricing strategies and market permeability and source vendors

• Oversee accurate monthly billing to clients and timely payment

• Assist with data collection for participant outcomes and contribute to reporting efforts as needed

• Support development efforts including fundraising and public relations as needed

• Maintain professionalism, customer service, and IRC Way ideals when working with the community;

• Participate in program meetings, weekly staff meetings, staff development activities and national skills building trainings, calls, and communities of practice, while fully engaging as a member of the team;

• Support general office logistics, such as office support and front desk, as applicable and feasible;

• Comply with all policies, procedures, and protocols of the organization;

• Other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:
Education:

• Undergraduate degree, or equivalent experience, in Culinary Arts, Business, Small Business Development, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Food Justice, Education, or related field, preferred.

Work Experience:

• 2 years of professional experience working in, managing or owning a food business
• Experience supervising staff; preferably within a social services environment
• Experience in program development, particularly as it relates to adult education
• Experience working in a direct service role preferred
• Experience and training in trauma-informed and person-centered services

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:

• A passion for great food and a willingness to taste anything
• High energy, patient, and flexible with a good sense of humor and commitment to working with diverse communities
• Strong organizational skills including: multi-tasking, prioritizing, planning, and effective time management
• Ability to facilitate learning and to act as the bridge between industry experts and the needs and interests of low-income, refugee and immigrant business owners
• Proven ability to facilitate learning and meet the needs and interests of diverse and low to moderate income community members
• Good people and conflict resolution skills – Job requires constant interaction with program participants
• Ability to work independently as well as on a close, collaborative team
• Fluency in written and spoken English, with bi-lingual ability preferred
• Ability to communicate with limited-English speakers, and demonstrated multicultural experience.
• Competency in Microsoft Office required; additional knowledge of Salesforce or Quickbooks and other technical skills an asset
• Ability to lift 30+ lbs
• Valid driver’s license, active insurance policy and access to reliable transportation

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Spice Kitchen Program Manager

Position Directly Supervises: Supervises a Spice Kitchen Specialist position, and other seasonal staff as needed. May supervise: Interns, and Volunteers as needed

Work Environment:

• Standard office work environment along with travel in and around the service delivery area
• Flexibility to work some Saturdays and some weekday evenings as needed to support programming

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires new hires to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for any in-office or hybrid positions. All IRC US offices require full vaccination to attend any in-office functions (e.g., meetings, trainings).

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $120 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.