Business Resource Navigator

At Fair Food Network, we believe so much is possible when we start with food. Food is at the heart of every area of our lives and a powerful tool for positive change. That’s the inspiration for our mission: to grow community health and wealth through food. Our signature program, Double Up Food Bucks, serves as a national model for healthy food incentives by doubling the buying power of SNAP (formerly food stamps) recipients, helping families bring home more fruits and vegetables while boosting business for local farmers. Through Fair Food Fund, our impact investing arm, we invest in food and farm entrepreneurs who are strengthening communities and local economies through food. Together, we are pioneering and proving innovations that can be owned locally and scaled nationally, for lasting change in communities across the country.

About the Role

Michigan Good Food Fund (MGFF): is a statewide food financing collaborative whose partners invest in good food enterprises working to spark equitable economic opportunity, promote healthy food access, and shore up the resilience of our local food economy. Since 2015, this initiative has provided more than $22 million in loans and grants supporting 300 Michigan-based food businesses that grow, process, distribute, and sell food. Support includes financing and business assistance to help entrepreneurs grow and thrive.

How FFN and MGFF work together: FFN serves as the administrative backbone of the MGFF, bringing together the expertise, knowledge, and financial capital of stakeholders and partners from across the state. The mission and goals of the MGFF are set by a Stakeholder Board of community members, entrepreneurs, and implementing partners.

The Business Resource Navigator (BRN) is responsible for conducting initial client intake and needs assessment to work closely with potential borrowers to understand their business goals and challenges. The BRN collaborates with Impact Investing team members and external partners to determine the pre- and post-investment resources needed along the entrepreneurial support continuum to ensure they are well-prepared for loan approval and long-term success.

The Business Resource Navigator will report to the Michigan Good Food Fund Director, Aaron Jackson. Fair Food Network is headquartered in Detroit. This is a hybrid position with an expectation to work in the downtown Detroit office a minimum of 2 days per week.

Key Responsibilities

Client Evaluation (20%)

*Intake: Establish initial contact and conduct discovery meetings with new MGFF inquiries to understand their needs, challenges, and goals.

*Assessment: Screen businesses for mission fit, strategic alignment, business model & value proposition, strategic pathway, stage & invest ability, and team.

Team Collaboration and Next Steps (20%)

*Recommendations: Provide clear and actionable recommendations for each applicant after the initial discovery meeting, including potential funding options, technical assistance needs, and connections to relevant resources.

*Transition: Work closely with the internal Impact Investing team to ensure a seamless transition from intake, second screening, technical assistance, applying for financing, and post-investment support.

*Brainstorm: Engage in brainstorming sessions with the Impact Investing team to develop tailored recommendations and action plans that help businesses meet MGFF criteria, access relevant resources, and achieve their growth goals.

1:1 Coaching and Technical Assistance (20%)

*Provide personalized 1:1 coaching to business owners, offering technical assistance to help them navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities.

-Develop and deliver tailored coaching plans, focusing on areas such as business planning, financial management, marketing, and operations.

-Track and document the progress of businesses receiving technical assistance, adjusting coaching strategies as needed to ensure successful outcomes.

Outreach and Community Cultivation (20%)

*Collaborate with marketing team to develop strategies or materials that support client acquisition efforts.

*Develop and maintain a network of referral sources based on knowledge of the Michigan food landscape.

*Build and maintain relationships with small business owners, community organizations, and other stakeholders involved in the Michigan Good Food Fund ecosystem.

*Represent MGFF at community events, workshops, and meetings to promote services and educate business owners and business support organizations about available resources.

Documentation and Reporting (20%) Maintain detailed records of all intake and assessment activities, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.

-Participate in preparing reports on applicant assessments and outcomes, highlighting trends and areas for improvement.

-Contribute to the continuous improvement of intake and assessment processes, incorporating feedback and best practices.

-Other duties as assigned.

What You’ll Need

*Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in economic development, lending, community outreach, entrepreneurship, or small business, preferably focusing on food enterprises.

*Strong knowledge of the food business landscape in Michigan, including challenges and opportunities for small businesses.

*Demonstrated experience providing coaching and assistance to entrepreneurs throughout their development stage, including business model development, business planning, financial planning, and market success.

*Excellent interpersonal, writing, verbal, and listening communication skills and can quickly adapt to the audience with politeness, diplomacy, and responsiveness with a friendly, customer service-oriented approach.

*Analytical mindset with the ability to assess business viability and impact based on multiple criteria.

*Strong computer skills including, but not limited to, databases, MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

*Experience working with underserved communities and building relationships with colleagues, clients, prospects, strategic partners, and the public.

*An understanding of the barriers and opportunities involved in business ownership and the nuances of equitable food access and capital access and can work within FFN’s mission.

*Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external implementing partners, including colleagues in other Fair Food Network departments and lending and technical assistance partners.

*Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

*Ability to travel in Michigan for outreach and community cultivation.

The Rewards

*Work with passionate people who are dedicated to a food system that nourishes whole communities, leading to improved health, economic well-being and environmental regeneration.

*Apply your skills for social change.

*Competitive, comprehensive benefits package including full health benefits, 401K match, a flexible PTO policy, and professional development opportunities.

*This position offers a fulfilling work environment at a supportive and entrepreneurially driven organization, plus exposure to innovative ideas, projects and collaborative staff activities.

The salary range for this position is $61,812 - $67,993 and is commensurate with experience.

Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our mission is best advanced by contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects the diverse community that we serve is a priority, and we encourage applicants of all ages, cultures, races, colors, religions, national or regional origins, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or other status protected by law.

For additional information, qualifications and to apply, please see www.fairfoodnetwork.org/careers/. Applications are not accepted through LinkedIn.