Request for Proposals: Strategic Planning Consultant

Project Background:

The NWI Food Council’s current 2023-2026 Strategic Plan commits the organization to fulfilling its mission through leading systems change, increasing food access, supporting farm viability, and modeling nonprofit governance. The organization just completed a Community Food System Assessment to gather input from food system experts, regional decision makers, and community members, and is in the process of completing a Northwest Indiana Community Food Action Plan which is anticipated to be released this fall. More information and the current strategic plan can be found at: nwifoodcouncil.org.

Project Description:

The NWI Food Council is seeking proposals from qualified consultants or firms to facilitate its next strategic plan. The selected will work collaboratively with the NWI Food Council’s board, staff, and stakeholders to assess current operations, identify opportunities, and define strategic priorities for the next 3-5 years. For a description of the opportunity and proposal requirements, please refer to the full Request for Proposals.

Please email proposals to alicia@nwifoodcouncil.org by by 5:00pm Central Time on December 1, 2025.

SUMMARY
A Delivery & Fulfillment Associate is responsible for transporting products and other goods from farms to businesses, food pantries and institutions. Duties include loading goods, using navigation tools to arrive at the right address, delivering orders to the correct address and filling orders. Additionally, supporting warehousing duties and fulfillment tasks.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Load, fulfill,  transport, and deliver farm goods to buyers or businesses in a safe, timely manner on hub delivery days (M-F) and occasional special deliveries

• Review orders before and after delivery to ensure that orders are complete, the charges reflect the quantity and quality of the product delivered, and the customer is satisfied.

• Assist with loading and unloading items from clients.

• Provide excellent customer service, answering questions, and handling complaints from clients during delivery communications.

• Adhere to assigned routes, follow time schedule and maintime timesheets.

• Abide by all transportation laws and maintain a safe driving record.

• Prepare reports and other documents relating to deliveries.

• Maintain a clean and food safe delivery vehicle

• Operate equipment and machines, such as cars, trucks, forklifts, etc.

• Maintain consistent and transparent communication with other hub staff, including daily report outs. 

• Be detail oriented and maintain systems, practices, and policies that support smooth operations of the hub and organization

• Provide feedback and insights on ways to improve customer service and logistics efficiency

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

• A valid driver’s license

• Clean driving record

• Knowledge of how to handle materials safely, such as food or chemicals

• Familiarity with using navigation systems

• Time management to ensure deliveries are made on schedule

• Excellent vision and hand-eye coordination to stay safe while driving

• Physical ability to load and unload heavy cargo

• Support warehouse operations, maintaining clean and tidy workspaces and assisting with packing and fulfillment

POSITION DETAILS

Location: Office hours as needed, but the majority of time is spent in the field.

Type of Position: Part-time, Contracted

Hours per week: Variable*. Winter-Spring hours are light due to limited season for farmers. Nearly full time potential during “high season” between May and October.

*Must be available for early morning start times and routes

Pay Scale: Starting at $20 per hour

Classification: Non-exempt

Reports to: Region Roots Food Hub Coordinator a/o Executive Team

Benefits: Workers compensation; future opportunities for generous paid time off, health insurance, and retirement packages with full time hours

Please submit your resume, cover letter and list of references to anne@nwifoodcouncil.org (Anne Massie) and virginia@nwifoodcouncil.org (Virginia Pleasant, PhD).