Food Sourcing Manager

Company Overview

Channel One Regional Food Bank is a dedicated non-profit organization committed to strengthening food access and building healthy communities across 14 counties through food distribution and community programs.

Summary

The Food Sourcing Manager is responsible for expanding and sustaining Channel One Regional Food Bank’s donated food supply by building lasting, trust-based relationships with food donors across the food industry. The primary outcome of this role is to increase the quantity, consistency, and reliability of donated products entering the food bank through a proactive donation program centered on frequent, positive, and in-person engagement with donors. Success in this role is driven by consistent on-site visits, stewardship, and strong public-facing communication with vendors, brokers, producers, manufacturers, growers, distributors, and retailers.

In addition, the position provides leadership and oversight of the Kitchen Coalition program and ensures that all food sourcing activities and partner programs operate in compliance with Feeding America standards, Minnesota Central Kitchen guidelines, and all applicable contract and grant requirements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Develop and implement an organization-wide food sourcing strategy aligned with Channel One’s mission, operational capacity, and agency food needs.
• Identify, research, cultivate, onboard, and steward food donors throughout Channel One’s service region and research and maintain an organized portfolio of current, lapsed, and prospective food donors.
• Build and actively maintain strong, professional relationships with food industry partners, including vendors, brokers, producers, manufacturers, growers, distributors, and retailers through networking, in-person visits, meetings, presentations, facility tours, and industry events.
• Track, compile, and report donated food metrics, ensuring accurate and timely submission of required reports to stakeholders, including national donor reporting deadlines.
• Serve as MealConnect software administrator, including oversight of user access, system configuration, data accuracy, and reporting related to retail food donations.
• Collaborate closely with operations staff to ensure timely pickup, delivery, and receiving of donated food.
• Manage the Retail Rescue Program, including coordination with retail store managers, drivers, and receiving staff; onboarding new retail partners and agencies; and tracking donated product distribution.
• Serve as a primary customer support liaison for food donors and the Channel One agency network, providing responsive and professional support related to donations, retail rescue, and food sourcing programs.
• Coordinate bulk donations and collaborative sourcing projects with operations staff.
• Lead and manage the Kitchen Coalition program, including oversight of all partner relationships and coordination with Second Harvest Heartland.
• Onboard and train Kitchen Coalition partners on policies, ordering, invoicing, reporting, and operational standards and track Kitchen Coalition meal production, budgets, and grant funding; proactively identify risks and recommend corrective or preventive actions.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and complete submission of all required Kitchen Coalition and grant-related reports in accordance with Feeding America and other funder reporting deadlines and standards.
• Review, code, and process Kitchen Coalition–related invoices in accordance with grant requirements and internal controls.
• Represent Channel One Regional Food Bank professionally and maintain positive public relations, including participating collabortively with Feeding America’s food sourcing team, the Minnesota Cluster of Food Banks, Hunger Solutions Minnesota, and other local, regional, and national partners.
• Obtain and maintain ServSafe Manager Certification and serve as an internal resource on safe food handling and food safety training requirements.
• Attend food industry events including trade shows and association meetings, and network conferences as required.
• Support Development in stewardship of food donors by sharing relevant information, participating in meetings, and training as needed, and ensuring a positive donor experience.

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE

• Relevant experience in food sourcing, customer service, sales, public relations, hospitality, logistics, or a related field preferred.
• Demonstrated success building and maintaining professional relationships.
• Experience working in collaborative, service-oriented, or externally facing roles strongly valued.
• Formal education is valued but not required; relevant experience and demonstrated competence are prioritized.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Proficient with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), database management, and internet research
• Competent in learning new software for tracking and reporting
• Professional written and oral communication and presentation skills
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Strong analytical and organizational skills
• Ability to travel, current driver’s license, and valid proof of vehicle liability insurance
• Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
• High standards of professional ethics and conduct
• Committed to Channel One Regional Food Bank’s mission
• Some evenings and weekends may be required.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $59,000.00 - $62,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance

Application Question(s):

• Can you demonstrate previous success building and maintaining professional relationships?
• Are you able to successfully pass a background check?
• Are you experienced and comfortable serving in a collaborative, service-oriented, externally facing role?

Experience:

• food sourcing, sales, PR, logistics or a related field: 2 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• driver's license and proof of insurance (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $59,000 - $62,000