Processing Manager (full-time) Job Description

Keystone Tree Crops Cooperative Processing Manager (full-time) Job Description Summary Keystone Tree Crops Cooperative (KTCC; www.keystonetreecrops.com) is an agricultural cooperative incorporated in Pennsylvania that is building a tree-crop food supply chain in the Commonwealth and surrounding states. We are working to create value and marketability from tree crops that thrive in Pennsylvania’s forests, bringing cultural PA products to market while preserving our forest canopy. To that end, we recently established a nut processing facility at Third Place Processing in Bechtelsville, PA. In fall 2025, we collected hundreds of pounds of hickory nuts and chestnuts from our producer members (farmers and gatherers) and are in the midst of processing the nuts, producing value-added products, and packaging and shipping. KTCC seeks a full-time Processing Manager – our first W2 hire – to take the lead in setting up and handling day-to-day activities to purchase crops, process crops and convert to value-added products, and market, sell, and ship KTCC products. The Processing Manager will report jointly to the Processing and Operating Directors, who are members of KTCC’s Board of Directors. KTCC can be flexible on some of the specific details for the role for highly qualified candidates, including: 1) where that person is located within Pennsylvania; 2) specific responsibilities; and 3) flexible schedule as long as the Manager logs enough hours monthly. What is essential is that the Processing Manager is able to travel to meet and work with farmers, gatherers, buyers faceto-face to build KTCC’s network. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of regional agriculture and food systems by building the infrastructure needed to turn locally sourced tree crops into staple foods, feed local communities, and support thriving ecosystems, PA’s rural economy, and livelihoods. As a cooperative, KTCC intends to incorporate a worker-owner membership class into our membership structure. Candidates interested in worker ownership will be strongly considered. Responsibilities ● Work with KTCC team (including Board of Directors, grant-funded consultants, and volunteers) to: ○ recruit producer and wholesaler members; ○ develop a set of aggregation hubs to serve producer members: ○ coordinate, pick up and purchase crops in Pennsylvania and surrounding states and bring them to the processing facility; ○ organize gathering events for nut crops; ○ develop and train cadre of operators in the use of processing equipment according to approved SOPs; and ○ ensure that all equipment and value-added processing have appropriate standard operating procedures (SOPs). ● Write purchase agreements for and track tree crops through aggregation, storage, processing, and selling of value-added products. Ensure intake and post-harvest protocols have been followed. ● Ensure that equipment and facility spaces are cleaned and maintained in accordance with SOPs and PA Dept of Ag commercial kitchen regulations. 2 ● Improving processes for and developing new value-added products for member crops. ● Help process raw nut crops for storage, sale, and/or converting into value-added products, including but not exclusive to hickory nut oil. ● Market KTCC products (online and at events) in collaboration with the KTCC team. ● Write and track purchase agreements with wholesale buyers. ● Package and ship KTCC products to retail and wholesale customers. ● Communicate with co-op members about annual dues and collect annual dues. ● Organize annual meeting of cooperative members. ● Generate business reports as needed and required. ● Other duties as needed. Qualifications ● Passion for ecological and economic mutualism and cooperation. ● Valid driver’s license, reliable access to a motor vehicle (ideally with a trailer hitch), and willingness to use said vehicle for travel within the KTCC service area (mileage reimbursed at the federal rate). ● Ability to take and follow detailed instructions, to work in a self-directed manner and also as part of a team, and to ask for help when you need it. ● Experience with, or interest and capacity to learn: ○ Safe handling of agricultural crops and processing into value-added goods; ○ Operating and maintaining a commercial kitchen in accordance with PA Dept of Ag commercial kitchen regulations; ○ Experience with spreadsheets, data entry, record keeping, etc.; ○ Operating, maintaining, and repairing (or overseeing the repair of) large machinery; and ○ Marketing, selling, packaging, and shipping agricultural products. Compensation and management A budget of $30 per hour, 40 hours per week (Monday through Friday), 50 weeks a year, has been allocated for this position. The position start date is as soon as possible. The Processing Manager will answer to KTCC’s Administrative Director. About Keystone Tree Crops Cooperative Keystone Tree Crops Cooperative is an agricultural cooperative that incorporated in Pennsylvania in March 2024 to build a tree-crop food supply chain in the Commonwealth and surrounding states. Our flagship product is oil from hickory nuts gathered by local farmers – our producer members – and pressed and sold by KTCC. Our Vision is to unite Mid-Atlantic tree crop Growers, Gatherers, Processors, Distributors, and Enjoyers in common cause and mutual benefit. The Cooperative is committed to a triple-bottomline model. All business activities and governance shall operate with respect to maximizing ecological and social as well as financial benefit to members, customers, and the communities where the Cooperative works. Our Mission is to generate economic livelihoods through harvesting and processing nuts collected from regionally adapted trees in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. Trees and their nut crops feed people, strengthen biodiversity, sequester carbon, build soil, address food security, and provide a resilient, sustainable product. KTCC’s business model addresses 3 industry bottlenecks by increasing capacity for nut harvests, processing nuts into value-added products, bringing products to market, and providing economic return to our members. As a cooperative business, we are owned and guided by our members. KTCC currently has 16 producer (farmer) members who provide crops for the value-added products that we process, package, market, and sell. In the coming years, we plan to add a worker membership category as well, enabling workers to be part owners of the cooperative along with producers. To apply, please email a resume and cover letter to keystonetreecrops@gmail.com with the subject “Processing Manager Application”. Please label your resume file as “[last name] resume” and your cover letter as “[last name] Processing Manager cover letter”. (Last amended August 19, 2026 per Board vote)