Take the next step in your career with Greater Chicago Food Depository by joining a team committed to ending hunger in our community. Every day, we distribute food through our network of partner agencies and programs, including mobile distributions and responses for children, older adults and veterans. We are, currently, seeking an Associate Manager of Employment Partnerships to join our team.

This position will be a member of The Greater Chicago Food Depository’s Workforce Development program aimed at empowering adults and opportunity youth with the skills and confidence needed to secure meaningful employment in hospitality/culinary, food production, other food related industries, Supply Chain Management/Logistics, and other local and in-demand Industries.  This person will interact regularly with students who have experienced discouragement and trauma, and is expected to be supportive, respectful, and aligned with our commitment to unleashing the potential of all our workforce participants.

The Manager of Employment and Business Relations will assist in developing employer expansion strategy, talent development and support, and brand management resulting in the successful placement of GCFD’s workforce development program graduates. The core activity of this role is to oversee all employment preparation, placement, and retention services for trainees enrolled in GCFD’s workforce development programming. This includes acting as a liaison between program staff, graduates and employment partners. Must be familiar navigating the Chicagoland Workforce Development ecosystem, including DFSS, SNAP2Success E&T, Chicago Cook Workforce partnership and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).  Clients may have little or no work experience, criminal backgrounds, and low literacy.

Key Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

• Research and strategically develop relationships with potential employers according to student needs and industry trends.
• Implement relationship management tactics to encourage regular program engagement, increased presence at special workforce employment events and actively pursuing and expanding employment opportunities for program graduates.
• Update, implement and evaluate job-readiness curriculum including resume writing, business correspondence, networking and job search strategies and interviewing techniques.
• Oversee the externship/Internship/Apprenticeship program(s) including developing potential sites according to program standards, students’ abilities/preference, and employment potential.
• Work with Career Pathways and Career Services team to provide employment and personal coaching to students and graduates in order to strengthen job retention and prevent termination.
• Oversee job search and placement for all current and past graduates who are eligible for employment services.
• Perform outreach services to graduates according to predetermined intervals to track post-graduate progress regarding employment, housing, social services and other IEP goals.
• Completes monthly reports including but not limited to employment, retention, demographics, employer assessments, and student progress towards self-sufficiency. 

Qualifications:

• Must have a High School Diploma/GED equivalent
• Degree or Certification in Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Social services, Education, Workforce Development and/or related industries strongly preferred
• At least 3-5 years’ case management and/or job development experience is strongly preferred.
• At least 3-5 years’ experience working with economically disadvantaged individuals and other special populations that may have extensive barriers to employment.
• Experience or knowledge of Trauma informed principles and practices strongly preferred
• Experience working with Chicagoland Workforce Development programs such as DFSS, SNAP to Success E&T, and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), is also a plus.
• Must have broad knowledge (and/or experience) of various in demand employment pathways (such as hospitality (culinary, retail, food production and other food related industries), logistics/supply chain management, and or other thriving industries (or sectors).
• Must have proven record in developing and maintaining meaningful relationships with new and established employment partners.
• Must be able to evaluate labor market Information (LMI) to enhance job placement strategies and successful job placement.
• Experience developing and maintaining local articulation agreements with cross agency partners
• Experience developing and maintaining data tracking systems for program outcomes and grant deliverables.
• Must be proficient in MS Office - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to push, pull and lift equipment and food containers that weigh up to 50 pounds.

Exposure:

• Structured vocational training in commercial kitchen and warehouse environment
• Interacts with organizational staff, students, volunteers and supporters
• Evening and weekend work as necessary

Competencies:

• Must demonstrate a high level of cultural competency and sensitivity to diverse cultures,  backgrounds, and communication styles
• Must demonstrate a willingness to deliver customer service excellence, through empathetic case management, counseling, and by example
• Must demonstrate a positive attitude and strong work ethic
• Must be able to maintain high level of productivity working independently and as part of a team.
• Must be a team player and demonstrate a willingness to go above and beyond.
• Must be committed to ongoing professional development
• Must be flexible and demonstrate a willingness to work outside of essential job duties