Project Manager Contract

Hawaii Ag & Culinary Alliance (HACA)

Position: Contract Project Manager

Contract Term: July 2026 through March 2027, with onboarding anticipated in mid-July 2026

Location: Remote

The contractor may perform most work remotely; however, occasional in-person availability at HACA’s office or related venue may be required for meetings, onboarding, coordination, or project-related activities. Hawaii-based applicants are preferred.

Reports To: Vice President, Aya Leslie

Contract Type: Independent Contractor

Compensation: $30,000 project-based budget

Overview

Hawaii Ag & Culinary Alliance (HACA) is seeking an experienced Project Manager to serve as an independent contractor in support of a grant-funded initiative.

1. Development and launch of an e-commerce marketplace; and

2. Implementation support for a 12-week business training program

The Project Manager will be responsible for coordinating timelines, vendors, applicants, cohort participants, project leads, and reporting-related documentation to ensure that grant milestones are completed on time and in alignment with the approved project scope. This role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, comfort managing multiple stakeholders, and experience coordinating digital, vendor, or small-business support programs.

Project Background

The grant term runs from May 27, 2026 through March 31, 2027. The funded project includes:

1. E-Commerce Website Development

Development and launch of an e-commerce marketplace, including vendor requirements, onboarding systems, storefront setup support, platform testing, launch coordination, and performance tracking.

2. 12-Week Business Training Program

Support for cohort-based training program, including application development, scholarship and selection processes, applicant communications, onboarding, attendance and outcome tracking, and final reporting support.

The Project Manager will work closely with internal project leads, the web developer, vendors, the training partner, marketing support, and grant leadership.

Scope of Work

1. E-Commerce Marketplace Development Support

The Project Manager will support the development, testing, launch, and early performance tracking of the e-commerce marketplace.

Responsibilities may include:

• Coordinate with the web developer and project leads during site buildout, internal review, testing, and launch preparation
• Support marketplace testing and launch readiness, including review of checkout, payment processing, fulfillment, mobile display, analytics, user experience, and other platform functions
• Develop and maintain vendor onboarding systems, including vendor requirements, onboarding materials, product listing standards, payment and fulfillment needs, fee structure, and operating procedures
• Work with HACA marketing team to coordinate promotional schedule for marketplace launch and ongoing communication plans
• Support marketplace vendor recruitment and onboarding, including identifying prospective vendors, coordinating solicitation, tracking onboarding progress, and assisting vendors with storefront and product listing readiness
• Monitor marketplace performance after launch, including vendor activity, site traffic, checkout flow, customer feedback, and platform-related operational or technical issues
• Collect and document marketplace data for grant reporting, including vendors onboarded, products listed, milestones completed, performance data, and key project activities

2. Business Training Program Support

The Project Manager will support the planning, application, selection, onboarding, and tracking processes for the 12-week business training program.

Responsibilities may include:

• Develop and coordinate the cohort application infrastructure, including the application process, scholarship process, selection process, scoring rubric, participant expectations, and onboarding materials
• Manage the application window, including applicant communications, FAQ tracking, information session logistics, and coordination of application-related questions
• Work with HACA marketing team to coordinate promotional schedule, including public announcements of cohort selection, etc.
• Coordinate the application review and selection process, including tracking submissions, supporting finalist selection, notifying accepted applicants, and finalizing participation agreements
• Support cohort onboarding and program coordination in collaboration with the training partner, including confirmation of the final training schedule and participant requirements
• Track program participation and outcomes, including attendance, participant data, surveys, success stories, and other documentation needed for grant reporting
• Support coordination related to final cohort showcase and Food X preparation, eligibility follow-up, and post-program documentation, as applicable

3. Grant Implementation, Coordination, and Reporting Support

The Project Manager will help manage the overall grant implementation timeline, coordinate with project leads, track milestones across both grant deliverables, and serve as a primary point of contact for project-related coordination. The Project Manager will also support grant budget management by tracking expenses against approved budget, monitoring spending progress, organizing expense documentation, and helping ensure that costs are spent in alignment with the grant scope, budget categories, and allowable-use requirements. The Project Manager will support grant compliance and reporting by maintaining accurate documentation, organizing key records, and creating systems that improve efficiency throughout the grant period and beyond.

Qualifications

Preferred but not required:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, communication, nonprofit management, public administration, or a related field
• Minimum of three years of experience in project management, program coordination, grant implementation, small business support, entrepreneurship programming, e-commerce, nonprofit programs, or a related field
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple deadlines, coordinate across project leads and partners, track deliverables, and maintain strong organizational systems
• Exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to manage timelines, records, applications, participant information, vendor materials, and grant-related documentation
• Experience with e-commerce platforms, online marketplaces, vendor storefronts, or product listing workflows
• Experience supporting small businesses, food businesses, entrepreneurs, or local vendors
• Experience with cohort-based programs, including application processes, scoring rubrics, scholarships, participant onboarding, milestone tracking, and program evaluation
• Familiarity with Hawaii-based small business ecosystems, the state’s economic development goals, food system initiatives, and FPIN-related initiatives preferred
• Experience with grant reporting, publicly funded programs, compliance documentation, budget tracking, or expense tracking preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, including Google Drive, Google Sheets, Google Docs, and other shared file organization
• Proficiency in organizing Zoom meetings and hosting online presentations or webinars
• Familiarity with Canva or Adobe Express, or similar design tools for basic marketing, presentation, and program materials
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate professionally
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, problem-solve, and maintain clear communication in a remote or hybrid work environment

Proposal Submission Requirements

Interested contractors should submit the following items to ***email_hidden***

1. A brief statement of interest

2. Relevant project management experience

3. Experience with grants, e-commerce, small business programs, cohort programs, or vendor coordination

4. Resume

5. Three (3) relevant references

6. Professional writing sample