Food Business and Marketing Program Advisor

This position manages food business and marketing assistance for food entrepreneurs. The Food Business and Marketing Program Specialist works with faculty in the Department of Agricultural Economics (AGEC) to develop and deliver outreach and education activities with the Food Entrepreneurship and Manufacturing Institute (FEMI), managed in the Department of Food Science. In this role, you will work directly with entrepreneurs to identify suitable and profitable pathways for successful project outcomes and connects students from AGEC with FEMI and food entrepreneurs. This position creates and disseminates educational materials related to business management and marketing to help food entrepreneurs be successful.

• Engage in developing and delivering workshop content for entrepreneurs and grants related to developmental activities of FEMI
• Ensure all materials align with Purdue University’s master brand
• Collaborate with individual food entrepreneurs
• Meet with prospective food entrepreneurs and determine research and education needs
• Serve as a primary point of contact for business, distribution, and marketing content as it pertains to FEMI workshops, extension publications, website, or individual project needs
• Provide resources and interpret findings to the entrepreneur, which may lead to the entrepreneur NOT proceeding with the concept
• Coordinate activities between AGEC, FEMI, Food Science, and other resources on campus and in the state, such as Purdue Innovates and the Indiana Small Business Development Center
• Work with Food Science FEMI colleagues to advance food and beverage entrepreneur projects
• Filter requests either directly or from the FEMI team to appropriate faculty and staff Student engagement
• Coordinate the undergraduate team of students to provide support allowing students to meaningfully contribute to entrepreneur project needs
• Engage students and connect students with FEMI projects
• Work with relevant student clubs, such as the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) club

• Bachelor’s degree in business, agribusiness, entrepreneurship or related fields
• 2 years of experience working in marketing or with business start-ups
• Ability to work independently, handle responsibilities with very little direct supervision, and strong organizational skills
• Must also be able to work collaboratively in teams to effectively coordinate activities between units
• Must have strong communication and interpersonal skills for working relationships with prospective entrepreneurs, students, and faculty
• Total travel to participate in workshops and meet with entrepreneurs could be as much as 20%
• Proficiency in the MS Office pro suite

• Master's degree
• Experience with marketing research and conducting surveys
• Experience with budgeting and break-even analysis

• Learn more about Purdue’s benefits summary, https://bit.ly/3sHGbls
• Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
• A Background Check is required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contributions Waiting Period
• Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply

All university employees are afforded a generous benefits package, https://www.purdue.edu/hr/benewell/index.php, including medical/dental/vision insurance, paid time off, and retirement contributions. As part of Purdue University’s expansive employee benefit package, the University is proud to offer its employees the opportunity to grow, learn, and advance by offering a tuition remission opportunity at both Purdue University and Purdue Global.

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