Food Systems Operations Manager

Position Type: Full-time, Temp-Permanent, Exempt Compensation: $85,000–$95,000 annually DOE, competitive benefits package, bonus opportunities

PARTNERSHIP FOR GROWTH LA

Freedom Farms Collective Title: Food Systems Operations Manager Reports To: Chief Executive Officer Position Type: Full-time, Temp-Permanent, Exempt Compensation: $85,000–$95,000 annually DOE, competitive benefits package, bonus opportunities Start Date: TBD, Application deadline 8/15/2026 Mission Partnership for Growth LA (PFGLA) is a community development corporation with a mission to catalyze generational community wellness and cooperative development among South and West Los Angeles through effective and replicable systems of addressing food insecurity and economic development. Our Freedom Farms Program is dedicated to strengthening the local food economy by supporting urban farmers, increasing food access, and ensuring that fresh, high-quality produce reaches our communities. Position Summary Partnership for Growth LA (PFGLA) is seeking a hands-on Food Systems Operations Manager to run the day-to-day operations of Freedom Farms Collective, our community-rooted local food enterprise connecting urban growers with the restaurants and grocers that feed South and West Los Angeles. Freedom Farms operates a central nursery and aggregates produce from a focused, vetted network of robust urban farms and gardens across the region. PFGLA’s vision is to grow Freedom Farms Collective into a full-fledged regional food hub, a values-based enterprise that actively manages the aggregation, storage, distribution, and marketing of source-identified local produce to satisfy wholesale, retail, and institutional demand, and this role leads the operational build-out to get there. The Food Systems Operations Manager is responsible for keeping that supply chain running, sourcing consistent, high-quality produce from our grower network, and ensuring product meets the food safety and retail standards required to sell into local stores, restaurants, and institutions. On the demand side, this role cultivates and grows the “Certified Fresh” buyer network, developing and stewarding the business relationships that place Freedom Farms produce in vendors’ hands and drive earned revenue for the enterprise. The Food Systems Operations Manager also leads the Freedom Farms Collective team, roughly six to eight staff across sourcing, aggregation, logistics, and program coordination, setting the systems, priorities, and culture that keep the enterprise running. An ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial food systems professional who is equally comfortable in the field, in the deal, and leading a team: someone who understands produce sourcing and supply-chain logistics, knows what it takes to make product retail-compliant, and can open and manage accounts with restaurants and grocers. The ideal candidate is passionate about food justice and community wealth building, brings business and operational acumen to a mission-driven social enterprise, and has a proven track record of making an impact in underserved communities. Key Responsibilities Food Hub Operations, Sourcing & Supply Manage operations of the Freedom Farms nursery and the aggregation of produce from the grower network, coordinating planting, harvest, pickup, and drop-off schedules to keep buyers reliably stocked. Be a point of contact for OSHA. Build out and manage the core food hub functions (aggregation, cold-chain storage, packing, grading and labeling, inventory, and distribution) so produce from multiple farms reaches buyers consistently and in good condition, with source identification maintained from farm to buyer. Serve as the lead for produce sourcing and procurement: planning supply against demand, forecasting seasonal availability, and matching what our farms grow to what our buyers need. Work with staff to implement and maintain order and inventory management systems to coordinate just-in-time purchasing, track inventory, and manage buyer orders. Work with staff to coordinate logistics for pickup, transport, and delivery of produce between farms, the nursery, and buyers, planning efficient routes and schedules. Team Leadership & Management Lead, supervise, and develop the Freedom Farms Collective team of approximately 6–8 staff across sourcing, aggregation, logistics, and program coordination, plus consultants and interns. Hire, onboard, schedule, and delegate across functions, setting clear roles, priorities, and performance expectations. Build a positive, mission-aligned team culture and support staff growth and professional development. Business Development & Sales Work with staff to build and grow the “Certified Fresh” network of restaurants, grocers, and institutional buyers, leading outreach, onboarding, and account management. Cultivate and steward business relationships with vendors and customers to place Freedom Farms produce in local businesses, restaurants, markets, and institutions in ways that grow earned revenue and program sustainability. Develop pricing, agreements, and standing supply arrangements that work for both growers and buyers. Lead the internal branding and external promotion of the collective’s identity and value, including the Certified Fresh designation, and how partners can engage with and support the work. Food Safety & Retail Compliance Ensure produce and handling practices meet or exceed food safety, insurance, and retail-readiness standards required to sell into stores, restaurants, and institutions. Support grower partners in achieving and maintaining compliance, including Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and on-site food safety practices. Manage risks and issues, taking corrective action and adjusting operational and business strategies as needed. Budget, Financial Viability & Evaluation Develop and actively manage the Freedom Farms operating budget in collaboration with executive staff, centering sustainable practices and operating as lean as possible. Drive the food hub toward financial viability, developing pricing, margin, and vendor-fee structures, tracking unit economics toward break-even, and blending earned revenue with grants and contributions. Support the program’s fiscal sustainability strategy, partnering with senior leadership on grant, donor, and philanthropic efforts. Track program and enterprise performance through consistent evaluation and narrative-forward qualitative and quantitative data collection. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Food Systems, Supply Chain, or a related field (finance or business background a plus), or equivalent experience. 4+ years of experience in produce sourcing/procurement, supply chain operations, wholesale, foodservice, grocery, or CPG. Experience leading and managing teams. Experience building or operating a food hub, aggregation and distribution operation, or values-based/wholesale supply chain is a strong plus. Demonstrated experience sourcing produce to supply restaurants, grocers, or foodservice operations. Experience developing and managing $250,000+ in business or customer accounts, including sales and account management. Familiarity with food safety and retail compliance (Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training a plus, or willingness to obtain). Experience with food justice, agriculture, urban farming, or community food systems. Experience with community and stakeholder engagement. Experience working in or with cooperatives is a plus. Valid California driver’s license and reliable transportation. Skills & Abilities Team leadership and people management, including supervising, developing, and coordinating staff across functions. Knowledge of food hub and values-based supply chain operations: aggregation, cold-chain storage, packing and grading, distribution logistics, and source identification/traceability. Skilled in produce sourcing, procurement, and supply-chain coordination, including matching supply to demand and production planning. Proficiency with inventory/order management systems and food hub or CRM software. Business and financial management for a start-up and/or social enterprise, including pricing, margins, budgeting, and working toward financial viability. Demonstrated ability to build, manage, and sustain business and distribution relationships with buyers and suppliers. Working knowledge of food safety and retail-readiness requirements (e.g., Produce Safety Alliance standards, GAP, wholesale and retail compliance). Knowledge of the food industry, urban agriculture, and food policy in Los Angeles County. Knowledge of the systemic and felt impacts of racism on communities in Los Angeles. Clear communicator; creative thinker and problem solver who anticipates needs and plans ahead. Work Environment PFGLA is based in West Adams, Los Angeles, CA and serves parts of South and West Los Angeles. This is a field-forward role: work is performed in a hybrid setting across the office, the nursery, aggregation and storage space, farms and gardens, and buyer sites in the community. Must be able to move about, and to lift and handle produce, with reasonable accommodations. A valid California driver’s license and reliable transportation are required for farm visits, buyer meetings, and coordinating produce logistics. Evening or weekend hours may be required on a rare, as-needed basis. #J-18808-Ljbffr Partnership for Growth LA