Food Sourcing Manager

Position Summary

The Food Sourcing Manager contributes to and leads the day-to-day implementation of the Community Food Bank's (CFB) strategic food acquisition efforts under the direction of the Director of Food Sourcing by supporting the development and implementation of sourcing strategies that increase the quantity, quality, and variety of donated food available to the organization. This position is responsible for cultivating and managing relationships with grocery retailers, manufacturers, distributors, growers, producers, Feeding America, government commodity programs, and other food industry partners to expand sustainable food sourcing opportunities across CFB's five-county service areas.

The Food Sourcing Manager provides leadership for donor engagement, food acquisition initiatives, sourcing performance, and assigned Food Sourcing staff while collaborating with Transportation, Warehouse Operations, Allocations, Programs, and Fund Development to ensure donated food is sourced, received, and distributed efficiently. This position focuses on meeting donated food sourcing goals, expanding food resources, and strengthening strategic partnerships rather than executing purchasing activities.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Food Sourcing & Acquisition

• Contribute to the development of strategic food sourcing plans and lead implementation of approved sourcing strategies that align with CFB's mission, organizational priorities, and distribution needs.
• Identify, evaluate, and pursue new food acquisition opportunities through grocery retailers, manufacturers, distributors, growers, wholesalers, food producers, Feeding America, USDA, and other public and private partners.
• Recommend and implement sourcing approaches that increase access to nutritious, culturally relevant, and high-demand food products and communicate product gaps that may inform purchasing priorities managed by purchasing staff.
• Monitor food industry trends, market conditions, and emerging donation opportunities to identify innovative sourcing strategies.
• Recommend improvements to food sourcing policies, practices, and procedures to increase efficiency and maximize food recovery.
• Contribute to sourcing forecasts, workplans, and budget planning; manage assigned sourcing goals, expenses, and resources in alignment with approved budgets.

Donor Relationship Management

• Develop, cultivate, and maintain strategic relationships with major food donors and prospective partners throughout CFB's service area.
• Establish long-term engagement strategies that increase donor participation, donation frequency, and overall pounds recovered.
• Conduct regular site visits and executive-level meetings with key donor organizations to strengthen partnerships and identify growth opportunities.
• Serve as the primary organizational contact for strategic donor relationships and resolve complex sourcing issues.
• Collaborate with Fund Development to recognize donor contributions and support stewardship activities that strengthen long-term partnerships.

Food Acquisition Programs

• Oversee food sourcing activities through Feeding America, USDA commodity programs, produce cooperatives, and other food acquisition networks.
• Contribute to the development of sourcing strategies for grocery rescue, produce recovery, manufacturer donations, agricultural partnerships, and food industry surplus.
• Evaluate participation in national and regional sourcing opportunities to maximize food acquisition and organizational value.
• Coordinate food acquisition efforts associated with grants and restricted funding programs, ensuring compliance with applicable program requirements.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Collaborate with the Allocations Manager to communicate anticipated donation volumes, timing, and product characteristics that impact storage capacity and distribution planning.
• Partner with Transportation and Warehouse Operations to support efficient scheduling of inbound donations and ensure operational readiness for large or time-sensitive deliveries.
• Work closely with Programs and Agency Partnerships to understand changing community needs and align sourcing priorities with demand.
• Coordinate with the purchasing staff to share donor trends, product gaps, supply risks, and community needs that may inform purchasing decisions, while maintaining clear ownership of donated food sourcing activities.
• Coordinate with Inventory and Operations staff to ensure newly sourced products can be received, tracked, and distributed effectively.

Performance Management & Continuous Improvement

• Establish and monitor key performance indicators related to donor growth, food acquisition, pounds recovered, nutritional quality, sourcing effectiveness of donor visits, donor retention, and assigned Product Sourcing Plan activities.
• Analyze donor performance, food recovery trends, and sourcing data to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Prepare reports and recommendations for leadership regarding sourcing performance, emerging opportunities, operational risks, and market trends.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives that enhance donor engagement, food recovery processes, and sourcing efficiency.

Compliance & Food Safety

• Promote compliance with Feeding America standards, USDA requirements, food safety regulations, and CFB policies related to donated food acquisition.
• Ensure donor partners understand food safety expectations, donation guidelines, and recall procedures.
• Support organizational response to food recalls and product quality issues involving donated food.

Leadership

• Provide leadership, coaching, and guidance to Food and Product Sourcing Specialists and other staff engaged in food sourcing activities.
• Supervise assigned staff, including work planning, training, coaching, performance feedback, scheduling, and accountability for assigned goals.
• Establish consistent donor relationship management practices, documentation standards, and performance expectations.
• Ensure assigned staff maintain accurate donor records, sourcing documentation, contact history, and performance data in appropriate CFB systems.
• Foster collaboration across Food Sourcing and other departments to support organizational goals.
• Represent CFB at community meetings, industry events, Feeding America conferences, and partner organizations as appropriate.

Other

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the staff member for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management, Agriculture, Food Systems, Marketing, Public Administration in related field or an equivalent combination of directly related education and experience.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in food sourcing, donor relationship management, business development, sales, account management, agricultural partnerships, food distribution, or supply chain operations.
• Two (2) years of experience supervising staff or leading teams, programs, or complex cross-functional initiatives.
• Experience developing strategic partnerships and negotiating mutually beneficial agreements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Office 365, and the ability to learn ERP, donor management, and inventory systems.
• Valid Arizona Driver's License with a clean driving record; ability to travel throughout CFB's service area.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with Feeding America food sourcing programs.
• Experience in the food industry, grocery retail, produce, manufacturing, agriculture, or nonprofit food banking.
• Experience supervising staff in a food banking, nonprofit, food distribution, sales, sourcing, or supply chain environment.
• Knowledge of USDA commodity programs and food safety regulations.
• Bilingual English/Spanish.

Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered if applicable and must be directly related to the functions and body of knowledge required to successfully perform the job.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of strategic food sourcing, donor development, and relationship management.
• Knowledge of food systems, agricultural markets, food donation pipelines, and community food distribution.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and donated food handling requirements.
• Strong relationship-building, negotiation, and partnership development skills.
• Ability to analyze sourcing data, market trends, and performance metrics to support strategic decision-making.
• Ability to develop and implement long-term sourcing strategies.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across multiple departments and with external partners.
• Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, and continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse economic, social, and cultural backgrounds.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Relationship Building
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Business Development
• Negotiation
• Results Orientation
• Data-Informed Decision Making
• Continuous Improvement
• Accountability
• Integrity
• Adaptability

Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered if applicable and must be directly related to the functions and body of knowledge required to successfully perform the job.

Physical Requirements:

• Light Work - ability to exert 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Expectations:

• CFB is dedicated to fostering a workplace where our Core Values of Dignity, Integrity, Collaboration, and Impact are actively demonstrated and supported in all aspects of our work.
• CFB works diligently to maintain a culture of fairness, responsibility, trustworthiness and teamwork to advance our mission: We change lives in the communities we serve by feeding the hungry today and building a healthy, hunger-free tomorrow.
• CFB is a drug and tobacco free work environment.
• CFB is committed to having a workforce that reflects diversity at all levels and is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment, and staff members are treated during employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties and activities may change at any time with or without notice.