Green job of the week: Banana buyer

Oke USA is seeking a person passionate about Fair Trade to fill a Banana Logistics and Sales position.

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Melissa Hincha-Ownby

Sun, Jun 28 2009 at 8:05 PM

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Green Job of the Week

Photo by Rene Ehrhardt

Clean energy jobs, as well as positions in the weatherization industry, have been garnering a lot of attention on the green jobs front lately. However, the phrase “green jobs” encompasses a wide variety of positions from the well known to the more unique. This week’s position falls into the latter category – banana buyer.

Company: Oke USA Fruit Company

Position: Fair Trade Banana Logistics and Sales

Location: Bridgewater, MA

Salary: Depending on experience

The Oke USA Fruit Company is seeking an individual with two or more years of experience in the produce industry, proficiency in the Spanish language, and a team player attitude to join their company in the Banana Logistics and Sales position.

Oke USA Fruit Company imports Fair Trade bananas. In October 2008, the company was feeling the effects of the global financial crisis and was facing a possible shutdown. In order to keep the flow of Fair Trade bananas coming into the United States, Equal Exchange stepped up with a financial investment and took over majority ownership of the company.

Rink Dickinson, Jonathan Rosenthal, and Michael Rozyne founded equal Exchange in 1986. In the 1990s, the co-op joined the European Fair Trade Network as a specialty coffee company. Since that time, Equal Exchange has expanded and now offers Fair Trade cocoa and chocolate products, Fair Trade teas, sugars, nuts, and fruits.

With the new infusion of cash, the company is currently seeking a passionate and qualified person to fill the Banana Logistics and Sales position. The position is based in the Boston, Massachusetts metropolitan area and the individual will report to the Banana Manager of Oke USA or the Office of the Executive Director at Equal Exchange.

The salary and benefits package includes 100% health insurance premiums covered for the employee as well as vacation time, paid holidays, and paid sick days. The actual salary will be dependent on the candidate’s experience.

Unlike many traditional job listings, applicants are asked to answer a three-part questionnaire, in addition to providing a cover letter and a resume. The first question, alone, will help Oke USA ensure that the person they hire is a great fit for the company and help the company meet its mission. Applicants are asked to make a statement about the “unique importance of importing Fair Trade bananas.”

So while a person with fruit purchasing and import experience, especially bananas, will be a good fit, a person passionate about Fair Trade will be a great fit.

To apply for this position, visit the Equal Exchange website: Oke USA Fruit Company – Banana Logistics and Sales.

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Comment: 1

Eugene E. Jul 07 2009 at 5:18 AM

The global financial crisis could said to have started in late 2007, or in early 2008 when manufacturing slowed and the first signs of trouble began to emerge. It could also be said that it became a global financial crisis the second any foreign banks started to look as though they weren't doing stable business and didn't have a lot of financial stability, and needed a cash advance from central governments. The key to progress from now on is going to have to be how to avoid extreme boom and bust

.... More

cycles, and practice fiscal responsibility on the global scale like we would with personal finance issues, so no huge payday loans are needed in the next global financial crisis.

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