Application Guide

How to Apply for Protein and Dairy Sourcing Manager

at Southeast Regional Cooperative

🏢 About Southeast Regional Cooperative

Southeast Regional Cooperative (SERC) is a mission-driven 501(c)(3) and partner of Feeding America, uniquely positioned at the intersection of agribusiness and hunger relief. By facilitating produce donations and strategic purchasing for food banks across the Southeast, SERC offers a rare opportunity to use supply chain expertise for social impact while working remotely.

About This Role

As the Protein and Dairy Sourcing Manager, you will lead the procurement strategy for protein and dairy products, ensuring a reliable supply of nutritious perishables to food banks. Your work directly reduces food waste and alleviates hunger, making this role both operationally critical and deeply rewarding.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with checking cold storage reports and coordinating a dairy donation pickup with a local processor. You'll then negotiate pricing with a protein supplier for a bulk purchase, followed by a virtual meeting with a food bank to forecast demand. Afternoons involve updating procurement dashboards and researching new potential donors in the Southeast.

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🎯 Who Southeast Regional Cooperative Is Looking For

  • A seasoned procurement professional with 3+ years in food sourcing, specifically with protein and dairy supply chains, including cold storage logistics.
  • A skilled negotiator and relationship builder who can secure donations from farmers and negotiate cost-effective purchases with processors.
  • An analytical thinker proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, capable of using data to optimize sourcing strategies and ensure food safety compliance.
  • Passionate about mission-driven work and comfortable in a remote environment, with strong communication skills to coordinate across diverse stakeholders.

📝 Tips for Applying to Southeast Regional Cooperative

1

Tailor your resume to highlight any experience with perishable food sourcing, cold chain logistics, or partnerships with food banks or agricultural cooperatives.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly connect your procurement achievements to SERC's mission of reducing food insecurity—quantify impact where possible (e.g., 'secured 50,000 lbs of dairy donations').

3

Research SERC's current programs (e.g., their produce donation initiatives) and mention how your protein/dairy expertise can complement their existing work.

4

Emphasize your ability to work independently in a remote setting; provide examples of self-directed projects or successful virtual collaboration.

5

Use the application to demonstrate knowledge of USDA food safety standards for dairy and protein products, such as FSMA requirements.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your passion for using supply chain skills to address food insecurity, specifically in the Southeast region.', 'Specific examples of sourcing protein or dairy products, including navigating cold storage logistics and building supplier relationships.', "How your negotiation skills have secured cost savings or donations, and how that translates to SERC's dual model of donations and purchases.", "Your understanding of SERC's role within Feeding America and how you can strengthen their protein/dairy portfolio."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Explore SERC's website and annual reports to understand their current sourcing volumes, key partners, and impact metrics.
  • → Familiarize yourself with Feeding America's network and how SERC fits into the larger food banking system.
  • → Research common challenges in protein and dairy donation logistics (e.g., shelf life, temperature control) and SERC's existing solutions.
  • → Look into USDA programs like The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) that may intersect with SERC's procurement.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you negotiated a complex contract with a food supplier. What was your strategy and outcome?
2 How would you balance sourcing donations versus purchases to optimize SERC's budget and supply consistency?
3 Walk me through how you ensure food safety compliance for a new dairy supplier from sourcing to delivery.
4 Given SERC's remote structure, how do you maintain strong relationships with farmers and processors you may never meet in person?
5 What metrics would you use to measure success in this role, and how would you report them to stakeholders?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application that doesn't reference SERC's mission or the specific protein/dairy focus.
  • Overlooking the importance of food safety compliance—failing to mention FSMA or HACCP knowledge can signal inexperience.
  • Focusing only on cost savings without acknowledging the donation model and relationship-building required for mission-driven sourcing.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Southeast Regional Cooperative!

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