American Hazelnut Company, LLC

American Hazelnut Company, LLC
Job Announcement – General Manager
The American Hazelnut Company, LLC (AHC) seeks a highly motivated and qualified individual to manage
and grow our newly established hazelnut processing and marketing company. The individual will
manage the day-to-day operations and be responsible for growth and development of the AHC.
About the American Hazelnut Company, LLC
The AHC was incorporated in August of 2014 with the purpose of buying in-shell nuts from its GrowerMembers, processing the nuts into a range of value-added products, and marketing those products to a
range of customers. The Company is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the AHC Members.
Primary processing (cracking) will occur at a facility near Viola, WI and secondary processing (product
manufacturing) will occur at the Kickapoo Culinary Center in Gays Mills, WI.
Purpose and Primary Focus of Position
As this is a start-up company, this position is for a highly-motivated and entrepreneurial individual that
wants the opportunity and challenge of growing a business from scratch. The individual will work
closely with the Board of Directors to implement the business plan. The individual will be responsible
for all aspects of the company including receiving and grading purchased hazelnuts, operating the
primary processing facility, creating high-quality hazelnut products and an equally high-quality
marketing program, and developing and implementing a sales program sufficient to meet sales
benchmarks. The position will require both attention to detail and an understanding of food processing
and the regulations, record-keeping, and reporting that go with it.
The individual must be able to work constructively with a diverse group of Members and assist, as
necessary, with organizational development of the Company.
This will be an independent contractor position, meaning the individual will have the independence to
implement the job duties as he/she sees fit, including having control of working hours and office
location. The individual must provide a vehicle or other means of transportation to visit potential
markets in the Upper Midwest, and a computer with internet access.
Job Duties
 Work with the Board of Directors to implement the business plan of the Company.
 Develop product labels and concordant marketing programs for sale of product to a diversity of
markets.
 Implement a sales and marketing program for sale of hazelnut products to Grower-Members,
direct to customers online, to retail coop grocery stores, and/or to other markets with potential
to purchase hazelnut products.
 Develop and implement a nut receiving, grading, and traceability program at the primary
processing facility.
 Assist Members, as necessary, with operation and management of the primary processing
facility
American Hazelnut Company, LLC
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Assist the Kickapoo Culinary Center in developing value-added product recipes and
manufacturing protocols.
Develop and implement a Good Manufacturing Practices plan for the value-added processing at
the Kickapoo Culinary Center.
Develop and implement an inventory management and sales program for sale and delivery of
product to buyers.
Supervise part-time limited term employees as necessary to conduct primary or secondary
processing.
Maintain all records in digital form in a cloud-based storage system provided by the AHC
Attend meetings of the Board of Directors and Membership in person or via phone, as
necessary.
Required Qualifications
 Minimum of 2 years job experience marketing and selling food products direct to customers and
wholesale to retail buyers.
 Demonstrated experience developing and implementing a marketing plan.
 Demonstrated proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, and database software.
 Demonstrated understanding of basic bookkeeping and accounting principles including pricing,
enterprise budgeting, and creating and interpreting profit and loss statements and balance
sheets.
 Willingness and ability to travel to markets throughout the Upper Midwest.
 Demonstrated experience with website management, online sales, and digital, cloud-based file
storage.
 Ability to lift 50 lbs.
Preferred Qualifications
 Experience manufacturing a value-added food product for sale direct to customers or wholesale
to retail buyers.
 Experience working with a Board of Directors of a company, cooperative, or non-profit.
 Experience with food processing equipment including the maintenance and operation of
machines.
 Demonstrated ability to develop logos, product labels, and other graphic design materials.
 Experience growing and processing hazelnuts or other crops.
Term, Working Hours, and Compensation
The initial term of this position will start November 1, 2014 and end April 30, 2015. The term may be
extended depending on job performance. This is an independent contractor position with a billable
hourly rate not to exceed $25/hr. Anticipated hours are 20 hours per week. Total hours worked may
vary from week to week depending on the seasonal work load. Work schedule is flexible at the
discretion of the individual. The individual will work at the primary processing facility in Viola, WI when
processing nuts, however it is anticipated AHC Members will do the majority of primary processing in
the first year. The individual will work at the Kickapoo Culinary Center in Gays Mills, WI when
manufacturing product. Office work, sales calls, marketing and similar duties may be done at a location
of the individual’s choosing. Office space and an internet connection will be available at the primary
processing facility. The individual shall provide a vehicle or other form of transportation necessary to
American Hazelnut Company, LLC
visit markets throughout the Upper Midwest as necessary to reach sales benchmarks. Mileage will be
reimbursed at a rate of $0.50/mile. The Company shall provide all equipment and supplies necessary for
primary and secondary processing. The individual shall provide all tools (computer, printer, phone,
internet, etc.) and associated supplies (ink, toner, paper, etc.) necessary for implementation of the job
duties.
Application Procedures
Send a resume, cover letter, and two references to the address listed below. Materials must be received
no later than 4PM CST October 15, 2014. The cover letter must include (at a minimum) a description of
previous work experience related to this position, a proposed billable hourly rate (not to exceed $25/hr),
and an explanation of why you want this position. Also, include examples of marketing materials you
have developed. Interviews will be scheduled in mid-October with a hiring decision made by October
24. The hired contractor will enter into a Services Agreement as negotiated between the AHC and
contractor.
Send application materials to:
Brad Niemcek
Kickapoo Culinary Center
16381 Highway 131
Gays Mills, WI 54631
Or email to:
[email protected]
Questions
Questions about the position should be directed to Brad Niemcek at the email address above or to Jeff
Jensen at [email protected].
Equal Opportunity:
The American Hazelnut Company, LLC does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, creed, color,
disability, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, arrest record or non-program
related conviction record.

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