Product Sourcing Relationship Manager

St. Louis Area Foodbank (SLAFB)

Job Description

Job Title: Product Sourcing Relationship Manager

Immediate Supervisor: Director of Product Sourcing and Repackaging

Employees Supervised: None

Position Overview

The Product Sourcing Relationship Manager is responsible for guiding the strategic direction of the Grocery Rescue and Agricultural streams within the Food Program. This role leads a team focused on cultivating and managing partnerships with grocery retailers, farms, and agricultural producers to secure surplus food for distribution. The Manager will work to strengthen relationships, enhance food recovery efforts, and ensure compliance with safety and quality standards. Additionally, they will support other strategic initiatives that contribute to the growth and success of the St. Louis Area Foodbank (SLAFB).

Key Objectives

• Increase donations from grocery retail and agricultural channels.
• Foster relationships across the bi-state region to ensure a reliable and sustainable food supply.
• Build and lead a team committed to advancing the Foodbank's mission by expanding sustainable food donations.
• Support Foodbank partner agencies by connecting them with additional retail donors.
• Minimize food waste in both agricultural and retail channels.
  
  

Key Responsibilities

Relationship Management:

• Cultivate and maintain collaborative internal relationships within the Foodbank to eliminate silos and promote a team-oriented environment.
• Develop and sustain partnerships with retail stores, food distributors, farmers, agricultural organizations, and state agencies.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for retail and agricultural donors, addressing concerns and ensuring positive collaboration.
• Lead the team in identifying and nurturing meaningful relationships, both externally and internally.
• Identify new opportunities to expand food rescue and agricultural partnerships.
  
  

Food Recovery & Logistics

• Oversee the Grocery Rescue program within the STLFB service area, providing support across both Missouri and Illinois.
• Lead the Grocery Rescue and Agricultural Sourcing teams.
• Partner with grocery stores, farmers, and food donors to collect surplus food that would otherwise go to waste.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and quality standards for all rescued food.
• Maintain relationships with grocery stores, farms, transportation providers, and community partners to create a robust and reliable food rescue network.
• Train and communicate with drivers, coordinators, sorters, and volunteers involved in the collection, sorting, and redistribution of rescued food.
• Keep accurate records of rescued food, including types and quantities, through inventory management and program impact reporting.
• Manage the program budget, optimizing resources for transportation, equipment, and staffing to maximize food recovery impact.
• Collaborate with operations and logistics teams to ensure the efficient collection and distribution of food.
• Develop and implement best practices for food rescue, handling, and transportation.
• Coordinate with warehouse, transportation, receiving, and repackaging teams to streamline food sorting and storage processes.
  
  

Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure that all rescued food complies with health and safety standards.
• Educate donors on food handling, storage, and labeling requirements.
• Monitor and report on the quality and quantity of food donations.
  
  

Outreach & Advocacy

• Represent the Foodbank at industry events, conferences, and community meetings.
• Advocate for food recovery programs and raise awareness about food waste reduction.
• Develop promotional materials and reports to highlight the successes of the program.
• Implement a donor recognition program to show appreciation and encourage continued support.
  
  

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years in relationship management, retail management, food supply chain, agriculture, or nonprofit food rescue programs.
• Skills:
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation abilities.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and agricultural practices.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and CRM software.
  
  

Work Schedule

The Product Sourcing Relationship Manager will work 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, between 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM. The role is a combination of offsite visits to stores, farms, and agencies, as well as work at the Foodbank campus. Flexibility will be granted, including the possibility of working from home when appropriate.

Occasional weekend (Saturday/Sunday) or evening hours may be required.

The impact you will make...

Building a stronger bi-state region by nourishing people, empowering communities, and transforming systems.

At the St. Louis Area Foodbank, we are working to create a nutritionally secure Missouri and Illinois where no one goes to bed hungry. With the dedicated partnership of over 600 hunger relief programs and local agencies - including soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and residential programs - we are responding to hunger in communities across 26 counties in Missouri and Illinois by distributing food to more than 400,000 people every year.

Since opening in 1975, and with this community's tremendous support and generosity, the St. Louis Area Foodbank has grown to become our region's largest food distribution charity dedicated to feeding those in need. Together, we are feeding people and working to address the root causes of hunger for a lasting impact every day.

What we can offer you...

Beyond a Great Mission, Dedicated Team Members And An Incredible Opportunity To Truly Make a Difference In Our Community, You Will Be Generously Rewarded For Your Contributions Including

• Competitive pay commensurate with experience
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) plan
• 403b plan with amazing company match
• Comprehensive benefits (medical, dental, vision, and more!)
  
  

We work hard, play hard, and change lives - so apply to join our Foodbank Family!

SLAFB DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION (DEI) STATEMENT

You are welcome at the St. Louis Area Foodbank (SLAFB) for who you are. At the SLAFB, we strive to empower our team to embrace and celebrate who they are by cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment. Doing so strengthens our organization, cultivates a culture where everyone feels valued and can bring their best selves to the SLAFB and enables us to nourish people, empower communities, and transform systems. At the SLAFB, we champion diversity, equity, and inclusivity to create a respectful and fulfilling workplace representing a broad range of lived experiences and viewpoints. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the neighbors and communities we serve in the bi-state region to enhance engagement and connectivity with all key stakeholders.

This job description does not list all the duties of the job. Performance of other duties may be requested. Evaluations will be in part based upon performance of the tasks listed in this job description. St. Louis Area Foodbank has the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description is not a contract for employment.