Associate, School Food Procurement
Remote
Full Time
Mid Level
Thank you for your interest in working at Partners for Public Good. To apply for this position, please complete and submit all information in this form. The deadline to apply is May 6. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
Associate, School Food Procurement
Location: Flexible within the U.S. but requires access to a major U.S. airport for travel. Position Type: Full-time
About Us:
At Partners for Public Good, we believe that when government works, communities thrive. Launched in March 2025, we are a fast-growing nonprofit dedicated to helping state and local governments harness core operational functions – procurement, staffing, digital infrastructure, and budgeting – to drive public impact.Our journey began in 2011 at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Government Performance Lab, where we set out to transform public procurement. Since then, we’ve worked with hundreds of governments across the country to make their procurement systems more efficient, fair, results-driven, and strategic. In 2022, we launched the Procurement Excellence Network, putting our tools and strategies in the hands of over two thousand public servants.
Today, our team of doers, coaches, and advisors partners with governments to create lasting, impactful change. Our vision is simple: every resident has a government they can count on, every day.
Role & Organizational Impact:
At PPG, Associates drive the design and execution of projects and strategic initiatives. Working closely with Project Leaders and Assistant Directors, they shape project strategy and lead project implementation.Reporting to the School Food Procurement Project Leader, the School Food Procurement Associate will support a cohort of school districts in designing, implementing, and evaluating innovative procurement strategies for school meal programs. The Associate will work closely with school administrators, food service providers, and state-level stakeholders to advance key project deliverables. The Associate will set up project management structures to drive project implementation, design practical and durable solutions, and facilitate key meetings, workshops, and check-ins.
Over time, Associates take on increasing responsibility, gaining greater autonomy in project delivery and stakeholder engagement. Associates also have opportunities to represent PPG at conferences, develop thought leadership materials, and contribute to internal initiatives that strengthen the organization. This position is grant-funded. Employment is contingent on continuation of funds and organizational needs, at PPG's sole discretion.
Key Responsibilities:
Provide Technical Assistance - Develop and implement procurement strategies and solution recommendations that align with regulatory requirements, including USDA National School Lunch and Breakfast Program standards.
- Provide training and guidance to school personnel on procurement best practices, delivered virtually and via site visits.
- Understand and apply industry trends, regulations, and innovations in school food service procurement.
- Produce written materials and visuals including reports, how-to-guides, and relevant project collateral.
- Support project scoping and quantitative and qualitative research through interviews, surveys, process mapping, and policy reviews.
- Develop strategies for high-impact projects, rooted in diagnostic work and a clear theory of change.
- Coordinate communications with government/district partners and external stakeholders to ensure clear approvals and implementation readiness among all involved parties.
- Develop an evaluation plan with key performance metrics to assess pilot effectiveness.
- Review local, state, and federal procurement regulations.
- Create impactful and accessible content (e.g., stories of impact, technical reports, analyses) for various audiences including drafting, reviewing, and providing edits to publications.
- Conduct qualitative interviews and surveys to assess the impact of interventions, user satisfaction, and any unintended outcomes.
- Collect and analyze data and review metrics to measure changes and improvements.
Qualifications:
We’re looking for candidates who are:- Analytic solution-builders. You can break down complex problems. You develop actionable, clear, creative, and high-impact solutions.
- Project managers at heart. You can juggle multiple priorities, stay organized, and keep projects on track. You have a bias to action and take pride in being an implementer.
- Strong communicators. You excel in verbal, written, and visual communication. You make technical or complex concepts accessible and engaging for a range of audiences.
- Change catalysts. You recognize that true change requires culture shifts, capacity-building, and empowerment—in addition to better processes. You build trust and momentum, bringing stakeholders along with you while moving with urgency.
- Collaborative and adaptable. You thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment where every project is unique. You are quick to pitch in when a colleague needs help. You give and receive feedback as a gift.
- Mission-aligned. You are motivated by the opportunity to help state and local governments harness core operational functions so that every resident has a government they can count on, every day.
- Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree or equivalent experience preferred.
- At least 3 years of experience covering topics related to school food nutrition.
- Knowledge of federal and state school food service regulations and procurement processes.
- Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) and comfort with other technology tools.
- Ability to stay focused and maintain a positive attitude in the face of challenges, overcoming setback and driving progress towards goals.
- Willingness and ability to travel, likely around 3-4 days per quarter.
We believe a variety of experiences can equip individuals to excel in this role. While we expect applicants to bring many of the qualifications listed below, we encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.
- Graduate degree in nutrition, law, public policy, education or equivalent preferred.
- Understanding of the unique capacity needs of school district and state-level leaders and the challenges faced in project delivery, operations, and adhering to complex regulations.
Additional Information:
Compensation: The salary for this role is $100,000 plus benefits. PPG offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support the well-being of our team members and their families. Benefits include healthcare coverage with an employer contribution, paid time off, employer matched retirement plan, and parental leave.Physical Demands:
This position requires sitting, talking, listening, reading, and writing for up to 8 hours per day. Certain situations may require lifting items up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job duties.
Start date: The desired start date for this role is June or July 2025. This role is funded through September 2026, with the possibility of extension.
Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity
Partners for Public Good is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Partners for Public Good is committed to the inclusion of all qualified individuals in the hiring process, including but not limited to those with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in the application or interview process, please contact [email protected].
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