Author: Ted "Boots" Kapner

The RFTW Board of Directors is seeking to fill the upcoming vacancy for Director of Purchasing.

This could be your opportunity to help shape the future of RFTW! The Director of Purchasing is a critical and sensitive position with a 3-year commitment that requires specific skills to further the acquisition, transportation, and storage of items needed to complete our annual Mission successfully. We live and work in a highly electronic environment, so knowledge and familiarity with computers, spreadsheets, vendor relations, and other relevant technologies are paramount.

The successful candidate will have a background in using Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, and similar tools such as Zoom. A background in logistics and purchasing is highly desired. The successful candidate must become closely attuned to the Bylaws and SOPs of RFTW and be willing and able to actively assist the Route Coordinators through the acquisition process. Occasional training sessions with route volunteers (regarding Quartermasters) may be required to ensure an understanding of our material objectives.

The Director of Purchasing is responsible for:

• Purchase of all RFTW supplies, equipment, services, etc., other than those items defined as “merchandise for resale”.
• Ensure all necessary items are ordered in sufficient time to arrive at our departure point before the routes depart.
• Submit budget estimates and/or projections regarding items and quantities for each route to the Executive BoD for approval at the July Face-to-Face The Director of Purchasing is responsible for working within those budgetary constraints approved by the Executive Board.
• Work closely with the RFTW Treasurer to maintain accurate records of inventory and transactions.
• Provide timely, periodic order updates to the RCs, the President, and others as required.
• Provide updates at BoD monthly meetings on the status of supply items for each route.
• Ensure each Route’s equipment tub is accurately inventoried at the end of the Run, whether a Coast to Coast or Wall to Wall Route.
• Ensure the logistics of transporting equipment tubs to the origination point are established and known to each RC.
• Ensure these equipment tubs are appropriately stored in an environmentally controlled location to properly preserve the contents.
• May be assigned other duties as determined by the Board or BoD President.

Appointment to the BoD places demands on your free time. The BoD meets a minimum of once a month, often twice. There are occasional emergency online meetings with as little as 5 days’ notice. Occasional travel is required with certain travel expenses reimbursed. In July each year the BoD convenes Face to Face meetings where attendance is paramount. The winter Face-to-Face meeting may be held in person or via video teleconferencing. The BoD also meets face-to-face each year in Ontario before the Run.  This position requires the incumbent to arrive in Ontario in time to ensure the tubs and route supplies are ready for distribution to the Quartermasters on the Saturday before departure.

The successful candidate will submit a resume outlining their skills relevant to those listed here, along with a brief description of their Run experience, including logistics and purchasing experience, and the names of three references we may contact. Veterans are also required to submit an SSAN-redacted copy of their DD-214 that shows the Character of Service (type of discharge). Once selected, the successful candidate will also be required to undergo a Background Check at the Board’s expense. Additionally, the Board of Directors reserves the right to interview candidates for positions on the Board during the selection process.

Those wishing to apply should submit their package to Secretary@rftw.us no later than 15 July 2025. Questions can be directed to President@rftw.us.

If you want to serve Run for the Wall, this is an excellent opportunity to impact the future of our organization. Opportunity knocks… Will YOU answer??? We look forward to hearing from you!