Program Manager, COOK Connect

About the COOK Alliance

The COOK ("Creating Opportunities Opening Kitchens") Alliance is a nonprofit organization working to legitimize and support informal home cooking businesses so that culinary entrepreneurship is accessible to all, particularly empowering homemakers, caregivers, women, people of color, and immigrants. We pioneered the legalization of Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs) in California and continue to expand opportunities for home cooks through advocacy, education, and technical support. Learn more about our mission, values, and history at www.cookalliance.org.

Position Overview

Join our fast-paced and growing organization, the COOK Alliance, as a Program Manager to lead the development and management of COOK Connect, our online platform designed to connect home cooks with customers. This role is central to our nonprofit mission, ensuring that cooks can successfully onboard, navigate, and thrive on the platform. The ideal candidate will be tech-savvy, detail-oriented, and passionate about supporting small-scale culinary entrepreneurs. This position requires a blend of program management, data tracking, user support, and CRM oversight to drive cook engagement and success. You will play a vital role in expanding opportunities for home cooks, and driving the growth of our organization and movement. This is a remote California-based position with some travel required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee and manage the COOK Connect platform, ensuring a seamless experience for both home cooks and customers.
• Develop and implement strategies to convert home cooks into active platform users, guiding them through the onboarding process and providing ongoing support.
• Manage and maintain a CRM system (Salesforce or similar), tracking home cooks, cook engagement, platform performance, and operational insights.
• Work closely with developers and contractors to troubleshoot technical issues, implement new features, and optimize platform functionality.
• Provide customer and cook support, responding to inquiries, resolving issues, and ensuring a positive user experience.
• Analyze data to measure effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, and develop solutions to enhance cook participation.
• Set up processes and automations to streamline cook engagement.
• Collaborate with the team to design and execute location-based pilot programs to support and promote cooks.
• Collaborate with our Community Manager to follow up and support graduates of COOK Academy, our virtual eight-week educational and technical assistance program.
• Collaborate with our Outreach Director to utilize social media strategies that boost the visibility of the organization, and highlight individual cooks, helping them attract more customers.
• Support the broader COOK Alliance team with administrative tasks and cross-program collaboration.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or higher.
• 2+ years of experience in program management, operations, and/or data analysis within a nonprofit, startup, or technology-driven environment.
• Proficiency in data management and analysis, including experience with Excel and a CRM system (Salesforce or similar).
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills, with an interest in supporting micro food entrepreneurs.
• Strong technical aptitude, with familiarity in product management, digital platforms, or growth marketing preferred.
• Experience in community organizing or building grassroots networks, ideally with a focus on diverse or underrepresented communities is a plus.
• Experience in social media engagement and digital marketing is a plus.
• Bilingual Spanish-speaking skills are a plus.
• Mission-driven, with a deep commitment to COOK Alliance’s vision of equity, inclusion, and community empowerment.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Full-time, exempt
• Annual salary range: $65,000 - $80,000 (based on experience and qualifications)
• Day off every other Friday (9/8/80 schedule) to encourage work-life balance
• Flexible remote work schedule (some travel required)
• Insurance options provided
• Generous paid time off and 11 paid holidays per year
• Professional development opportunities to support career growth

Our Commitment

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, the COOK Alliance does not discriminate against applicants or employees based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, physical ability, hairstyle, or previous incarceration. We are dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and supportive work environment that reflects the communities we serve.

Application Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume and cover letter outlining their relevant experience and explaining their motivation to join the COOK Alliance team. In your cover letter, please address how your background aligns with our organization's mission, and highlight your skills and experiences in program management, data tracking, and client support. Please share your vision for making an impact as the future COOK Connect Program Manager.

*Please note that this is a California based remote position and open to candidates throughout the state.