Open Position at PBFI - Director, Value Chain Development

By Margaret Barnard @ 2025-08-29T15:30 (+1)

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Director, Value Chain Development

The Plant Based Foods Institute (PBFI) is a national nonprofit organization working to put plant-based foods at the heart of sustainable agriculture, healthy diets, and resilient food systems. As the sister organization of the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA), the U.S. trade group representing the nation’s leading plant-based foods companies, PBFI is uniquely positioned to scale plant-based food production and consumption through strategic collaboration with agricultural producers, agricultural researchers and extension professionals, food manufacturers, retailers, foodservice companies, policymakers, and NGOs to build a more resilient, nutritious, and climate-friendly food system. We work across this rich ecosystem of food systems actors to champion agricultural diversification, empower farmers, and drive investment across all segments of plant-based food value chains.

Summary
PBFI is seeking a Director, Value Chain Development to lead the strategy and implementation of a major two-year initiative to build regional plant-based food value chain networks. Starting in the Midwest, and expanding to at least one additional U.S. region, this initiative will mobilize networks of farmers, processors, researchers, and plant-based food companies to scale the domestic production of target crop inputs necessary to grow the plant-based sector. The Director will oversee all aspects of program development and reporting, including executing regional capacity building events, developing related resources and case studies, launching initiatives that support upstream value chain development, and laying the groundwork needed to drive significant expansion of plant-based crop acres (specifically oats and pulse crops including beans, lentils, chickpeas, and peas). Reporting to PBFI’s Executive Director, the Director will manage all aspects of program development and execution while advancing this initiative through close collaboration with PBFI and PBFA’s food systems, policy, membership, and communications teams.

Job Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Execution (60%)

• Lead all aspects of regional coalition building and program implementation, including recruitment, planning, facilitation, and evaluation.
• Organize and oversee in-person regional convenings, farm tours, research summits, and virtual webinars tailored to stakeholder needs.
• Develop cross-sector partnerships with research institutions, extension offices, farmer networks, and food manufacturers.
• Oversee program logistics, timelines, budgets, and reporting in alignment with grant deliverables.

Stakeholder Engagement & Network Development (25%)

• Cultivate relationships between regional producers, processors, researchers, and institutional stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for regional partners and advance collaboration among universities, agricultural groups, food manufacturers, buyers, and nonprofits.
• Develop knowledge-sharing and technical assistance resources through in-person and virtual programming.

Storytelling, Research, & Communications (15%)

• Develop and oversee the dissemination of resources that demonstrate program success and highlight market insights that build confidence in plant-based crop production and demonstrate the need for further upstream value chain development.
• Develop a public-facing resource library and tailored communications for producers, plant-based companies, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
• Represent PBFI at conferences and stakeholder events.

The ideal candidate is:

• A leader with a track record and passion for building sustainable, plant-centric food systems at the local, regional, national or global levels.
• Skilled at transforming broad concepts into fully-fledged programs that meet the needs of target audiences, stakeholder partners, and funders.
• Outstanding project and grant management skills with exceptional attention to detail, penchant for facilitation, and a solutions-oriented mindset.
• An excellent oral and written communicator able to convey information on complex issues both verbally and in writing using data and reasoning, and can speak compellingly in both formal and informal settings.
• Able to perform well under pressure, manage competing demands, be proactive, show resourcefulness, and adapt well to changing circumstances.
  
   

Experience and skills:

• A minimum of 8 years of experience in program or project management, stakeholder engagement, and growing online or in-person communities.
• Expertise in food systems issues, including plant-based foods and protein innovation, sustainable agriculture, value chain development, or food systems policy.
• Experience building and facilitating coalitions or communities of practice including a proven track record of leading successful initiatives with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience executing multi-stakeholder convenings or campaigns.
• Strong facilitation and relationship management skills, especially with agricultural producers, researchers, and/or food manufacturers.
• Experience in planning, implementing, and evaluating complex projects.
• Excellent leadership, verbal and oral communication, and organizational skills.
• High degree of both independence and collaborative spirit.
• Deep commitment to PBFI’s mission to increase plant-based food production and consumption to help Americans eat healthier, more sustainable diets.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Being located in the Midwest is strongly preferred but not required.
• Experience working with agricultural producers, land grant universities, and/or local and regional food systems initiatives.
• Experience managing grant-funded programs or public-private partnerships.
• Familiarity with plant-based agricultural policy, extension, and research programs.
• Proven ability to work successfully in a fully remote environment.

Salary and Summary of Benefits:

This is a full-time, exempt position funded for a two-year term, with the potential for extension based on funding availability. This is a fully remote U.S.-based position that requires frequent travel. The salary range is $105,000-115,000, commensurate with experience. 

Applications will be accepted through September 19, 2025. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.

At PBFI we take pride in investing in a supportive remote culture that empowers our team to achieve their best. To ensure our team members are happy and healthy, in addition to a competitive salary we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Employer-sponsored health, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents
• 403(b) retirement plan with discretionary employer contributions up to 5% of gross salary each eligible benefits year
• Generous paid time off policies including 12 paid holidays (plus your birthday!), 15 sick days annually, personal/vacation time without a numerical cap, paid parental and medical leaves, and a one-week winter break to recharge for the New Year
• $100 monthly phone/internet stipend, $500 annual allowance to support remote work, as well as a generous professional development allowance. 

Please note: Studies show that potential applicants from underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to a job unless they meet every single qualification. If you are enthusiastic about the opportunity and meet many qualifications and/or have experience you feel would translate well, please submit an application! Our hiring teams are trained to evaluate all candidates holistically.

PBFI is actively committed to creating a diverse environment, and culture of inclusion where all team members feel valued and can contribute their experiences and perspectives. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, PBFI does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other legally protected class.