Details

Posted: Tue, July 1, 2025

Maryland, Delaware job

Email: alice@caic.org

Organization: Chesapeake Agriculture Innovation Center (CAIC)/Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center (ESEC)
Office Location: Easton, Maryland
Work Arrangement: Remote, with occasional travel across Maryland and Delaware
Employment Type: Full-time contract through September 2027, with potential for permanent hire
Salary: $60,000 annually ($5,000/month)
Benefits: Travel costs reimbursed
Start Date: Immediate consideration

About Us
The Chesapeake Agriculture Innovation Center (CAIC) fosters economic growth and innovation in Maryland’s rural communities. We are seeking a motivated Value Chain Coordination Administrator to help build a robust and sustainable regional food system by connecting farmers, institutional buyers, and distributors across Maryland and Delaware.

Position Summary
This is a remote position with occasional in-person meetings and site visits throughout Maryland and Delaware. While CAIC’s office is located in Easton, Maryland, the role is designed for flexibility, allowing you to work from home with required regional travel.

The Value Chain Coordination Administrator will serve as a key connector between farmers, institutional buyers, distributors, and food system stakeholders. You’ll coordinate logistics, build partnerships, and support both producers and buyers to strengthen the regional food supply chain.

Key Responsibilities
Farmer Recruitment & Support:
-Design and execute outreach strategies to recruit farmers for wholesale and institutional markets.
-Assist producers in production planning to align supply with secured buyer demand.
-Develop and manage grower agreements and production tracking templates.
-Connect farmers to training resources to boost readiness and compliance.
-Maintain ongoing communication on planting, harvesting, food safety, and delivery logistics.

Buyer Recruitment & Support:
-Develop outreach strategies to attract wholesale and institutional buyers.
-Support buyers in procurement planning and contract development.
-Track purchase agreements and coordinate with buyers to ensure supply chain reliability.
-Facilitate buyer site visits and maintain open communication on fulfillment and compliance.

Aggregation & Distribution Logistics:
-Identify key aggregation points with appropriate infrastructure.
-Support aggregators and food hubs in managing postharvest handling, storage, packaging, and compliance.
-Partner with private distributors to establish and optimize delivery routes.
-Coordinate logistics for inbound and outbound produce transportation.

Project Management & Reporting:
-Track and report on work plans, budget metrics, and deliverables.
-Represent ESEC and the CAIC initiative at public meetings, conferences, and regional events.

Qualifications
Required:
-High school diploma required; bachelor’s degree or higher strongly preferred.
-Strong skills in MS Office, Google Drive, and general office technologies.
-Experience with data systems such as HubSpot or Qualtrics.
-Independent, self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills.
-Strong communication, organizational, and data management capabilities.
-Ability to work collaboratively across multi-agency and state-level initiatives.
-Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle for regional travel; some overnight travel required.

Preferred:
-Experience working directly with farmers or in agricultural production.
-Understanding of food safety standards (GHP/GAP), produce quality, and procurement systems.
-Familiarity with operating or selling to food hubs.
-Experience delivering training or educational sessions.
-Demonstrated leadership in project or team management.

Compensation & Benefits
Annual Salary: $60,000, paid monthly ($5,000/month)
Travel Reimbursement: Mileage and travel expenses covered for approved work-related travel
Work Flexibility: Remote position with occasional in-person travel throughout Maryland and Delaware

How to Apply
Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your experience and interest in the position to:

📧 alice@caic.org and julian@caic.org

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Early applicants will receive priority consideration.