Food Sourcing Manager at MERCER STREET FRIENDS CENTER – TRENTON, New Jersey

Nourish. Empower. Thrive.
Where there is a need, Mercer Street Friends finds a way.

Mercer Street Friends is dedicated to:

• Delivering food security through our Food Bank
• Providing social and emotional care to parents and families
• Offering educational opportunities through our preschool, community school initiative, and adult education program

Mercer Street Friends has been serving Mercer County for over 65 years, addressing food insecurity, supporting families, and providing educational opportunities for children and adults. Through our Food Bank and agency partnerships, we provide more than 6 million meals annually while connecting families with the resources they need to thrive.

Join our team and be part of this vital work — where your expertise in food sourcing directly impacts families in need and strengthens our community.

About the Role

The Manager of Food Sourcing is a key contributor within our Food Bank operations. This role is responsible for developing and executing strategies to secure a consistent, high-quality, nutritious, and cost-effective food supply. You will manage procurement, cultivate donor and vendor relationships, plan inventory, and identify innovative sourcing opportunities.

You will also collaborate closely with the operations team to align sourcing with distribution capacity and ensure timely delivery of food to the community. Nutrition, quality, and variety are central to all procurement decisions, ensuring families receive healthy and culturally appropriate options.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive food sourcing strategies with a focus on nutritious, high-quality food
• Build and maintain relationships with local farmers, retailers, manufacturers, distributors and food donors
• Negotiate pricing and manage food purchasing to maximize resources and nutritional impact
• Monitor inventory levels and forecast needs based on distribution trends
• Coordinate with operations to ensure sourcing aligns with distribution schedules
• Ensure compliance with food safety standards and regulatory requirements
• Track and report sourcing metrics, cost savings, and impact

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent experience)
• Minimum 3 years of experience in procurement, food sourcing, or supply chain operations
• Strong negotiation, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills
• Data-driven approach with strong analytical abilities
• Experience in food banking, distribution, retail grocery, or nonprofit sector preferred
• Commitment to advancing food security and community well-being

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $55,000+ commensurate with experience
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan with employer match
• Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
• Professional development opportunities
• Supportive, mission-driven workplace

Why Join Mercer Street Friends?
This is your chance to make a measurable difference every day — helping neighbors move from crisis to stability while contributing to a mission-driven organization that values collaboration, innovation, and impact.