The Organization and its History
Since 2009, CropCircle Kitchen (CCK) has operated greater Boston’s only non-profit shared-use
commercial kitchen and food business incubator. Our mission is to: promote entrepreneurship and small business development; create jobs with few barriers to entry; improve access to fresh, healthy food for low income families; and build infrastructure to strengthen the regional food economy. We operate two fully-equipped, shared-use commercial kitchen facilities, and provide licensed production space to startup and emerging wholesale and retail food businesses. We offer business technical assistance services, and operate a small-batch value-added food manufacturing and catering business.
CropCircle Kitchen began in Jamaica Plain, taking over operations of the former Nuestra Culinary
Ventures, a shared kitchen and culinary business located at the Brewery Complex. The CCK team
substantially increased kitchen usage and doubled earned revenue, but also recognized the limitations
of the JP space. In 2012, CCK entered into a partnership with Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation to redevelop the former Pearl meat factory into a multi-tenant food production center. The facility opened in June 2014. CropCircle Kitchen is a part-owner, an anchor tenant, and a provider of a range of services at the property.
CropCircle Kitchen is in a period of major growth. Staff has increased from 3 in 2013 to 7.5 today. We have launched new lines of business as well as educational and training programs. We have begun important partnerships with Jewish Vocational Services, Interise, Boston Public Market Association and others.
CCK aims to build a self-sustaining social enterprise that relies on multiple streams of earned revenue. We earn income from entrepreneur memberships and kitchen rental fees, and through our new smallbatch contract manufacturing, catering, and warehousing services. Staff culinary capabilities and experience allow CropCircle to move in these directions.
Jen Faigel, a co-founder of CropCircle Kitchen and original Board Chair, has served as Interim Executive Director since April of 2014. She, together with the active Board of Directors, has raised significant capital for the organization. Jen will transition from the Executive Director role in 2015, and will provide support to the new Executive Director and CCK as requested.
The Leadership Opportunity
The Executive Director will lead the effort to grow our dynamic organization, strengthen its financial
base, and diversify its business. Reporting to the Board of Directors, s/he will oversee all of CropCircle’s staff and programs. The Executive Director will supervise approximately 10 people, including 2-3 senior managers. S/he will manage a 2015 operating budget of around $1.1 million, ½ of which is expected to come from earned revenue, with the balance from fundraising.
The Executive Director will be expected to:
• Work with the Board to affirm and maintain a strategic direction for CCK’s growth and development that is consistent with the organizational mission
• Develop a business plan designed to reach the goal of being fully supported by earned revenue
within 24 months
• Oversee business growth efforts, with particular attention to new lines of value-added business
• Set strategic priorities and collaborate with senior staff to implement work plans that are consistent
with the strategic direction and business plan
• Identify and pursue public and private funding sources for organizational operations
• Continue to recruit local users and collaborate with job training organizations to maximize employment opportunities for local residents
• Develop and maintain an operating budget and effective financial reporting systems
• Build and sustain strong relationships with funders as well as political and community leaders who
support our mission
• Strengthen and oversee all aspects of our marketing, communications and branding, and
• Design and oversee policies and procedures to implement and evaluate all programs, including
measuring and reporting on success to board, funders, and other constituents.
Our Ideal Candidate
We seek a passionate and experienced leader to guide CropCircle Kitchen, and ensure our ongoing
growth and success as Boston’s leading nonprofit food business incubator and local food hub.
Our ideal candidate will have:
• An entrepreneurial, action-oriented, adaptable and innovative approach to business and social
enterprise
• A passion for creating a local food hub that supports entrepreneurs, creates jobs, and builds
community access to healthy foods
• Experience leading a complex organization through growth and change
• Demonstrated marketing and fundraising skills, preferably in local food, small business development and/or employment
• Success in organizational management, including developing and managing high performing,
collaborative staffing teams
• Comfort and experience developing budgets, as well as overseeing financial management and
operations
• Persuasive verbal and written communication skills, including use of social media
• Strong negotiation skills
• Excellence in interpersonal relations and collaboration, with demonstrated success engaging a wide
range of stakeholders
• Connections to Greater Boston networks in local food, economic development, and philanthropy
preferred
• Knowledge of local food distribution systems, food permitting and food processing regulations a
plus
• At least seven years of leadership experience in a nonprofit or for profit setting, and
• An advanced degree in a related field or the equivalent in work experience.
CropCircle Kitchen offers a competitive salary and benefits package.
Please submit a cover letter, detailing your salary requirements, and a resume to:
CCKExecutiveDirector@gmail.com. Resumes will be reviewed as they are received. We aim to fill this position by spring of 2015. No phone calls or letters please.
CCK is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and nationalities to submit their qualifications.