Organiclea’s Distribution

Box Scheme Deliveries Co-ordinator

Are you passionate about getting local Organic food onto local people’s plates? Can you deliver on logistics whilst making time to support the skills and learning development of others? Can you help us envision the development of local food in our borough? Are you committed to co-operative work practices and looking for an opportunity to be involved in a thriving workers co-operative?

Organiclea’s box scheme is a unique distribution project based at Hawkwood Plant Nursery. Produce is sourced from our own growing site and the box is vital to supporting the work of our partner local farmers and growers. This role is an opportunity to really get inside what it takes to make a local food enterprise work in a community setting. This role would be suited to someone who is committed to local food enterprise and wants experience of working in a co-operative, self managing organisation.

Organiclea is committed to sustainable transport solutions. We are looking for someone who can crunch and deliver logistics whilst bringing skills and ways of thinking relevant to a community and permaculture project. The role will involve taking responsibility for the weekly delivery of our veg and fruit bags whilst developing training and volunteer opportunities for volunteering within the distribution of our box scheme. The ideal candidate will bring the vision for developing these areas of our work.

Part time role: 1 day per week, 7 hours (Wednesdays).

Salary: £21,567 pro rata
Based at: Hawkwood Community Plant Nursery

Responsible to: Organiclea workers’ cooperative

Contract: 1 year subject to a 7month probation period.

Deadline for applications: Wednesday 30th October 5pm

Interview date: Monday 4th November

To apply: Please send a CV or employment (and volunteering) history and covering letter detailing how you meet the person specification and why you want this post to or by post to Hawkwood Plant Nursery, 115 Hawkwood Crescent, Chingford, E4 7UH. For more information about this role please call 020 8524 4994 (Adam or Hannah).

Job Description

  • To take full responsibility for the loading and deliveries of Organiclea’s weekly box scheme.
  • To evaluate, develop and implement best practice for van loading, delivery routes and drop off timings as the box scheme grows, with an eye on customer experience and co-op aims.
  • Work with Box Scheme Co-ordinator and Volunteer Co-ordinator to develop a volunteer bike deliveries programme for the box scheme deliveries and manage implementation including rotas.
  • Developing trainee and work placement learning programmes with goal setting, regular check ins, mentoring and longer term certification working closely with Volunteer Co-ordinator, specifically as part of our ‘Food Works’ programme with young people.
  • Monitoring and recording volunteer, trainee & work placement experience and feedback to Volunteer Co-ordinator.
  • To work along side Box Scheme Logistics Worker and share responsibility for customer pick up points and their management, including ensuring promotional materials replenished at pick up points.
  • Feeding back customer interaction to Box Scheme Logistics Worker.
  • To care for Organiclea’ milk float, with responsibilities for weekly vehicle checks and booking in of vehicle maintenance. Dealing with urgent vehicle issues and vehicle emergencies on box scheme delivery days.
  • Utilising the milk float as a means to communicate Organiclea’s work and aims, creating opportunities for promoting our work and sharing information.
  • Looking at ways to increase local food in the borough.
  • Responsibility for long term strategic planning for transport as Organiclea’s box scheme grows.

Person Specification

Essential

  • Full driving license. Happy to go slow (driving a milk float)
  • Commitment to putting an interest in sustainable food economies into practice.
  • Commitment to organic, seasonal, quality fresh food with an ability to inspire others in the importance of supporting those who produce it.
  • Experience of working with volunteers and a demonstrable understanding of the benefits and challenges of involving volunteers.
  • Ability to delegate tasks to peers effectively
  • Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
  • Ability to enthuse and educate volunteers and potential customers about the Box Scheme and Organiclea’s approach to local food issues
  • Strong organisational, administrative, financial and time management skills.
  • Ability to cycle with a trailer or willingness to learn
  • Commitment to cooperative principles and working within a cooperative structure.
  • Commitment to community empowerment especially in diverse urban communities
  • Willingness to abide by Organiclea’s Equal Opportunities Policy

Desirable

  • Commitment to future of sustainable transport.
  • Practical experience of organic horticulture where trade is a component part.
  • Experience of promoting local food products.
  • Experience of working in a community setting.
  • Experience of working with diverse communities
  • Experience of working in a teaching, training or skills sharing setting.
  • Knowledge of local community (Waltham Forest and surrounding areas)
  • Desire or interest in becoming a co-op member at Organiclea.
  • Understanding of permaculture principles.

Note on Co-op membership:

This role is not automatically eligible for Organiclea co-op membership. Co-op members must work more than 8 hours per week for Organiclea on a paid or voluntary basis.