Executive Director

Executive Director/President

Out of the Garden Project - OOTGP

OOTGP will begin its 16th year in operation in 2024 and has been led by its co-founders Don & Kristy Milholin since that time. It is the largest independent food non-profit in the Piedmont of North Carolina. The Milholin’s have decided to pass the torch, so to speak, and will be exiting officially January 25, 2024. Its’ revenues (with the exception of 2020) are in the Four to Five Million Dollar range. It is known for having been the first agency to provide Drive thru markets, before the pandemic forced everyone into this model. Currently they have 25 markets monthly in Guilford, Randolph, Alamance, Stokes and Forsyth Counties serving 3000 families monthly. It also was the first organization to become known to reclaim food donations from other businesses and distribute to clients in need. In addition to their food reclamation initiative, OOTGP has a mobile Kitchen that is taken to some of our markets to show the varieties of ways food can be prepared. It also boasts the first Commercial Low-Risk Shared use kitchen in Greensboro, North Carolina since 2016. Today more than 45 food entrepreneurs hone their skills of their products to sell at stores, farmers markets etc.

General Purpose

The Executive Director/President role is the chief officer for Out of the Garden Project, responsible for day to day operations and the overall leadership of the non-profit.

This role will communicate often with staff to ensure that all departments have the needed support to successfully execute roles. The Director of Volunteers, Warehouse Manager, Communications Manager and everyone else reports directly to the E.D. This is a full-time exempt position with a salary range of $65-$85,000 anticipated annually. This position will answer to the Chair of the Board of Directors as well as the entire board and be responsible for keeping them informed of OOTGP’s impact through monthly board meetings and other ways as needed.

Requirements, Education and Experience

• A Four College degree and two years non-profit leadership experience with an organization with a minimum of 10 years of management experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in addition to leadership.
• Strong interpersonal, supervision, administration and management skills.
• Ability to use Google Drive with other staff and an intermediate level of knowledge regarding technology and communication software.
• Ability to work with and seek out diverse groups of people.
• Network and build relationships with community leaders

Duties and Responsibilities

• Identify the needs of staff, vehicles, etc. as well as the warehouse through the alignment of warehouse pick ups, Fresh Mobile Markets and Operation Backpack schedules. Delegate tasks based on need and distribution schedule.
• Help distribute weekly donations to the bookkeeper and designated mail pick up person.
• Weekly/Monthly reports
• Grant Management and Financial Literacy of writing budgets etc.
• Communicate and execute short and long-term plans and ensure that there is always a leader present in every situation.
• Complete necessary documentation regarding hours of staff and volunteers.
• Ensure accurate time and attendance for payroll.
• Seek new and develop existing relationships with City, including; Schools, Farmers, Volunteers, Businesses and Faith Communities at the Teaching Farm, the warehouse and at the Fresh Mobile Market.
• Support the successful execution of Fresh Mobile Markets and Operation Backpack while ensuring accurate data collection for regulatory organizations as needed.
• Maintain a clean and organized warehouse while complying with OSHA standards including but not limited to: safety protocols and incident documentation.
• Responsible for all reports, volunteer group leading, maintaining and distributing donation letters for food distributors trucks, the regular use of Incoming and Outgoing Warehouse Food Donation Logs and marketing initiatives.
• Responsible for all fund-raising activities.
• Responsible for promoting OOTGP in the community.
• Responsible for providing options/opportunities for board members.
• Become a known quantity to our volunteers by leading select groups when needed and always seek to bring in businesses and individuals who might like to volunteer.
• Responsible for yearly Hearts for Hope Fundraising Event, as well as additional events.

Language Skills

• Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Works with mathematical concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, averages and/or variances

• Ability to interpret and apply common sense understanding to carry out a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions
• Demonstrates ability to evaluate information and the implications of a course of action or solution

• Ability to perform under stress in cases of emergency, critical or hazardous situations.
• Ability to work with others in a team environment
• Demonstrates the ability to use sound judgment and discretion regarding confidential information
• Demonstrates interpersonal skills with a collaborative style
• Demonstrates organizational skills with the ability to prioritize workload and multi-task while maintaining strict attention to detail
• Demonstrates solid relationship management skills with internal and/or clients (e.g. management, peers, colleagues, customers, etc.)
• Manage board relationships and answer communications in a timely manner.

Additional Position Responsibilities

• Carries out duties in compliance with all state and federal regulations and guidelines
• Remains current in profession and industry trends
• Promotes the organization by educating the community on food insecurity

This job description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be a reflection of those principal job elements essential for recruitment and selection, for making fair job evaluations and for establishing performance standards. The percentage of time spent performing the various job duties is not absolute. The incumbent shall perform all other functions and/or be cross trained as shall be determined by the sole discretion of management, who has the right to amend, modify, or terminate this job in part or in whole. This document is not a contract for employment. Employment is at-will.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $57,896.53 - $69,724.86 per year

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $65,000 - $85,000