SERRV Eradicate Poverty Worldwide Through Fair Trade
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Home > About Us > Work or Volunteer with Us

Wisconsin

Current Openings in Madison, Wisconsin:

POSITION: Product Team Assistant Buyer

SERRV is a nonprofit organization with a mission to eradicate poverty wherever it resides by providing opportunity and support to artisans and farmers worldwide.  
We are looking for a creative, organized, energetic addition to our product development team. Our ideal candidate would be a highly organized individual with experience in product development for the gift and home furnishings market, able to think both creatively and analytically about merchandising and new product development. Attention to detail and great communication skills are crucial, as the position will require detailed technical writing and ongoing communication with overseas artisan groups. And a sense of humor and willingness to pitch in wherever necessary is essential, as part of a very small team who brings product to market for 75 grassroots artisans and food producers from around the world.  

As an assistant buyer, you would be the primary contact and principal product developer for a portion of our producer groups.  You would participate in the development of trend reports and actively participate in the selection of products that SERRV sells through our catalog and online. In addition, you would have a crucial coordinating role in our department—by keeping the departmental schedule, making sure that the product bank is organized and current,  and accurately describing selected products and making sure that they enter our sales system correctly.

JOB DESCRIPTION
Administration and coordination:

  • Manage sample bank and sample transfers
  • Maintain departmental calendar and keep meeting records
  • Manage product team volunteers
  • Other duties as designated

Data Analysis:

  • Retrieve sales data  and format sales projection and best seller reports weekly, distribute to appropriate staff, and produce seasonal sales reports

Merchandising:

  • Contribute to the development of a trend vision and merchandising plan for each new season’s products by looking at SERRV catalog sales data, researching the US market, collecting product inspiration ideas, and working closely with the rest of the product team and any outside resources in the creation of each season’s trend report.
  • Participate as a member of the product team in product selection meetings for all new products, held four times a year.  
  • Proof print catalog and other marketing materials as necessary

New Product Development and Producer Liaison:
As one of three regional buyers, you would be responsible for sample development, modification requests, and communication regarding product and producer information as well as all quality control issues for the producer groups in your region.  

  • Working within the sample budget, merchandising plan, and product team work plan, identify, design and modify products to be marketed by SERRV.  
  • Act as the primary conduit for information regarding products, including sample development, modifications, product information, and quality issues.  Provide feedback to producer groups on ordered samples.  
  • Process sample shipments—receiving, unpacking, coding and pricing samples, and confirming shipments with producers
  • Monitor sales of products of assigned groups and develop strategies for improving sales through product development for each group

New Product Input and Processing:
In general, SERRV selects and purchases products two times a year. The following responsibilities are seasonal.  

  • Oversee safety and quality testing of selected new product samples
  • Write detailed product descriptions for all new products each catalog season, and create a sku for the product.  Photograph new products for internal records and as a reference for producers. Enter, edit and update product descriptions in ACT1
  • Coordinate with the purchasing coordinator to make sure that she has all information necessary to place a purchase order
  • Organize new products for handoff to marketing

BACKGROUND AND EDUCATION
Our ideal candidate would have the following background:  

  • Bachelor's degree
  • Training in graphic design, art, marketing, drawing, textile, and/or jewelry design.
  • Knowledge of materials and production techniques used in developing a variety of crafts in different countries
  • Personal experience in creating crafts using different materials (weaving, pottery, wood working, etc.)
  • Experience in product design and development
  • Computer skills, including experience with graphic design programs and excel
  • Experience living and working overseas
  • Knowledge of a foreign language

TO APPLY, CONTACT:  Jim Ramsey, SERRVHR@yahoo.com


POSITION: Volunteer, Kenya Artisan Group Assistance

Looking for a volunteer opportunity that will directly assist a SERRV artisan partner overseas?

Volunteer in our Madison, Wisconsin, office assisting with tasks for creating a CD product catalog for Trinity Jewellrey in Nairobi, Kenya, to help them show their products to potential customers around the world.

This volunteer position includes:

  • Measuring and matching prices to about 200 pieces of jewelry
  • Putting code, measurement, and description information on each digital photo
  • Creating a price list
  • Creating and printing labels for CDs
  • Burning CDs
  • Working on mailing catalog CDs worldwide

DEPARTMENTS:   International Development / Product Development
HOURS:  4-6 hours/week
START DATE:  As soon as possible
LOCATION:  Madison, Wisconsin
QUALIFICATIONS:  Computer competency, attention to detail, flexibility.

Interested volunteers should submit an email or letter of interest to cherylm@serrv.org or via fax to 608-255-0451.


Please contact us about other volunteer opportunities. 




Comments from around the World
Our artisans were kept busy the whole year. That guaranteed food on their table, shelter for those who pay rent for their houses, clothing for their families and most importantly, school needs for their children. Health matters are also taken care of. - Joseph Muchina - Trinity Jewellery Crafts, Kenya.



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