ABOUT US & OUR FOOD HUB
Founded in 2006, Mālama Kauaʻi is a community-based, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that focuses on increasing local food production and access for Kaua‘i. We do this through a lens of resilience and sustainability, which leverages workforce and economic development efforts, partnerships and innovative programs to grow community capacity.
Our food hub programs support commercial, institutional, and consumer buyers all over Kaua‘i in purchasing local food through kauailocalfood.com. We also focus on increasing healthy food access through SNAP/EBT, DA BUX, and free food distributions to those in need – especially keiki and kūpuna. MK currently purchases from over 140 farmers, ranchers, and food producers across the island to support the growth and sustainability of our island’s local food system.
Our new cutting-edge food hub located in Moloa‘a is packed to the brim with amazing food processing equipment, including dehydrators, juicer, bottlers, robocoupe, vacuum packager, heat sealer, ice cream maker, and a commercial kitchen trailer with six burner range, griddle, convection oven, and much more. Opening in January, our team is scaling our efforts to increase local food production and access, which will include helping farmers make value-added products – and making them ourselves to help fill gaps in the local food system.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The full-time Product Development Manager will play a crucial role in the success of the food hub by driving innovation and creating new products that meet consumer demand, while maintaining quality standards and increasing the usage of locally grown produce that undersells. They will be responsible for managing the development and launch of new food products and improving existing ones, researching and identifying market trends and consumer desires, working with the food hub’s team to create and test new products, and helping farmers to compliantly develop their own products for sale using the new facility. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Becoming deeply familiar with all processing and cooking equipment in the facility and their correct use and care
- Complete needs assessments with buyers to determine in-demand products desired, including other Food Hub Hui members
- Identify excess raw farm products regularly available through the food hub that provide opportunity for value-added products, with guidance from the Food Hub Manager
- Conduct ongoing market research to identify new product opportunities and trends
- Creation, testing, and developing standard operating procedures and food safety plans for new products, including determining pricing and packaging
- Develop new, profitable product lines and produce those products on a regular basis for the food hub’s distribution, while maintaining quality and food safety
- Analyzing sales data and consumer feedback to evaluate product success and identify areas for improvement
- Managing relationships with suppliers and buyers to ensure product availability and quality
- Assisting the Farm Business Development Coordinator (FBDC) in training farmers to use and clean equipment properly, make reservations, and utilize the facility; acting as a backup and coverage for the FBDC as needed
- Share product development ideas and guidance to farmers in developing their own value-added products while using the facility, including selecting packaging
We’re looking for someone with….
- A passion for improving our local food system and supporting our farmers, with a values-based foundation of aloha and teamwork
- Experience working with Hawai‘i fruits and vegetables in a culinary environment, with a keen ability to make creative and super tasty end results
- Food Handler’s Card with knowledge of food safety practices and compliance
- Detail-oriented and driven towards achievement of goals
- Previous experience producing value-added food products is a huge bonus, but not required
PAY & BENEFITS
Pay is $30/hr, and benefits include discounts on local food, 10 paid holidays, 2 weeks paid time off in the first year, 401k w/matching, and a no-cost medical insurance plan that includes health, dental, vision and massage/chiropractic. Although we would like a set schedule for planning purposes (and most of us are M-F days), there is some flexibility in creating a schedule for the days and hours that work best for you.
TO APPLY
Send us a resume and a brief note to [email protected]. If you have any ideas for products you’d like to develop, feel free to share!