Rural Grocery Program Manager

The Rural Grocery Program Manager will help advance K-State’s healthy food access initiatives. This position will be part of K-State’s effort to build and sustain healthy communities by working to enhance locally owned small healthy food retail bu...

  • 520664
  • Manhattan, Kansas, United States
  • 3670035010 Coop ExtensionAdministration
  • Staff Full Time (Unclassified - Term)
  • Closing on: Nov 12 2025
  • Hybrid and/or Remote eligible

About This Role

The Rural Grocery Program Manager will help advance K-State’s healthy food access initiatives. This position will be part of K-State’s effort to build and sustain healthy communities by working to enhance locally owned small healthy food retail businesses. The program manager will organize and provide technical assistance for citizen leaders, grocery owners, and other stakeholders seeking to enhance their community's access to healthy foods.

• Write and design resources that are relevant to rural grocers and other healthy food retail businesses.
• Work with a team to develop programs that are relevant to rural grocers and other healthy food retail businesses, such as workshops, webinars, trainings, peer groups, retreats, and the National Rural Grocery Summit.
• Support the Kansas Healthy Food Initiative.
• Identify, facilitate, and develop grant proposals that advance RGI’s healthy food access initiatives. Monitor and manage portions of grants and contract funding that are relevant to this role. Write significant portions of final reports required by funders.
• Maintain social media platforms and unit website.

About Us

The Cooperative Extension system of Kansas State University is a statewide network of educators sharing unbiased, research-based information and expertise on issues important to Kansas. It has established local, state, regional, national, and international partnerships. Its annual budget exceeds $60 million.
It is dedicated to a safe, sustainable, competitive food and fiber system and to strong, healthy communities, families, and youth through integrated research, analysis and education.
With 130 years of research and 100 years of extension, Kansas State University has been improving the quality of life and standard of living for Kansans for a century. This integrated system connects the university to every county through locally based educators who serve as sources of objective information. For more information please visit http://www.ksre.k-state.edu/

Worksite Description

This position is Hybrid and/or Remote eligible. Work may be performed on employer premises, designated assignment location and/or performed fully in a remote capacity. Employee will need to have the ability to travel regularly within the State of Kansas with a preference for individuals to live within 45 minutes of Manhattan, KS.

All employees must reside in the United States when they begin working to comply with state law. K-State is unable to provide remote or hybrid work opportunities for residents of the state of Idaho.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Requires a bachelor's degree and three years of relevant experience 
    This position may use an educational equivalency as determined relevant by a hiring manager
  • Valid Driver's License

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master's degree or equivalent
  • 3 years of experience working food systems, rural grocery, Extension or other relevant experience
  • Proven record of organizational and administrative skills with ability to multi-task and prioritize workload
  • Evidence of success in project management: organizing and managing project teams
  • Strong research and data analysis skills
  • Ability to work both with university faculty and public stakeholder groups
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Experience with grant management
  • Experience with database management, CRMs, Adobe Suite, and other relevant technology tools

Sponsorship eligibility:

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents:

1. Letter of Interest
2. Resume
3. Name, phone number, and email address of three professional references

Application Window

Applications close on: November 12, 2025

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$55,000 - $68,000

 

 

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Why Join Us:

Kansas State University offers a supportive and inclusive community, dedicated to your professional growth. While specific benefits may vary by position, many roles come with comprehensive packages that support your well-being and work-life balance, including health and life insurance, retirement plans, and generous paid time off. To learn more about benefits that are available for various positions, visit our benefits overview page.

Work Authorization: 

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Remote and Hybrid work options:

Some positions are eligible for remote or hybrid working arrangements.  An employee who is working in a remote or hybrid capacity for K-State must reside within the United States in order to comply with all federal and state laws, filings, or tax requirements. Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not available for anyone who resides in the state of Idaho.

Background Screening Statement:

Upon acceptance of a contingent offer of employment, a candidate may be subject to a background check per K-State’s background check policy.

Interview Preferences:

Kansas State University honors interview preferences for qualified applicants who are veterans or individuals with disabilities. Eligible applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, submit all required application materials, and submit required preference documentation by the closing date on the job advertisement will be granted a first-level interview.

The disability and veteran interview preferences do not apply to student employment positions, temporary positions, athletics positions, academic and administrative department heads*, positions that require licensure as a physician, and positions that require that the employee be admitted to practice law in Kansas.

*Heads of Departments refers to any individual holding a primary leadership role responsible for the overall strategic direction, management and operational oversight of a recognized academic or administrative unit within the university.

To learn more about interview preferences at K-State, please visit our interview preferences page.

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