Senior Manager of Food Sovereignty
3 days ago
San Francisco
Job DescriptionSalary: $95,000 to $102,000 Position Title: Senior Manager of Food Sovereignty FLSA: Exempt, Full-Time Pay Range: Starting at $95,000 to $102,000, annually with full benefits Schedule: 40 hours/week | Monday - Friday, some nights and weekends Location: 100% In-Person, on-site in San Francisco, CA Start Date: December 1, 2025 Mission: Booker T. Washington Community Service Center (BTWCSC) is one of the Bay Areas oldest Black-led, Black-serving nonprofit organizations with a century of service to San Francisco. A beacon of Black joy and self-determination, we have nurtured over five generations of Black San Franciscans. We stand embedded as an anchor institution, fostering intergenerational bonds and working in solidarity with allied communities to reform and reimagine a more inclusive San Francisco. We prioritize serving the Black community and welcome all from cultures and ages 0-99 who walk through our door. We are one of the few urban spaces where anyone in the community can access comprehensive services, from a hot meal to childcare to academic support to senior services. Summary: BTWCSC seeks a highly strategic, experienced and operationally-driven Senior Manager of Food Sovereignty to protect our community's right to healthy, culturally appropriate food produced sustainably. This role involves creating and implementing strategies to strengthen San Francisco food systems, such as leading BTWCSCs self-sustaining food supply within the community to reduce dependency on external food sources, enhancing the District 5 neighborhoods nutritional well-being with access to fresh, and healthy foods; building meaningful economic partnerships with local farmers, chefs and producer communities, and promoting understanding of permaculture and skills like growing, harvesting, and preserving food. The Senior Manager will also co-lead our vital citywide food system advocacy and community nutrition education work with coalition partners.. This senior role requires a seasoned leader with exceptional skills in administration, people management, logistics, and partner relations. The Senior Manager will also be responsible for the overall success of our robust community food procurement and distribution programs, including our daily community meals, CSA boxes and weekly Friday Fresh markets, ensuring the timely and safe distribution of high-quality, nutritious food. As directed by the Associate Director of Community Resiliency Programs, the Senior Manager of Food Sovereignty will ensure equitable access to and distribution of food within the Fillmore/Western Addition and broader District 5 community, applying best practices in food safety, health, and nutrition and a participant-centered approach. The Senior Manager will direct, coordinate, and collaborate with all staff and activities associated with all BTW food and education programs. By taking advantage of this opportunity, the Senior Manager of Food Sovereignty will contribute to the organization's mission of meeting community needs by providing efficient and effective program administration based on a data-driven approach that enhances BTWCSC's commitment to excellence. Key Responsibilities: Leadership, Supervision & Administration • Supervise staff using the organizations servant leadership philosophy, coaching staff towards a culture of excellence, including (1) Food Justice Coordinator and (3) Food Justice Liaisons., • Align and coordinate Food Justice staff and programs with broader Community Resiliency initiatives and BTWCSCs strategic priorities., • Serve as a conduit for clear and timely communication between leadership and frontline staff., • Lead administrative functions, including budgeting, scheduling, reporting, and documentation for all food-related programs., • Contribute to strategic decision-making on staffing, structure, and program design to improve effectiveness and impact. Program Operations & Systems Management • Oversee daily operations of food programs, ensuring staff have the tools, technology, and resources necessary to deliver services efficiently., • Develop and implement operational systems and SOPs for inventory, ordering, distribution, volunteer coordination, and food safety., • Ensure programs meet quality and impact goals as defined in BTWCSCs measurement framework., • Collaborate with the Finance Team to ensure grant compliance, budget management, and adherence to reporting requirements., • Provide high-level oversight of customer service and hospitality practices, resolving participant concerns quickly and professionally., • Coordinate food delivery schedules with vendors, staff, and the Operations team to support seamless logistics. Food Supply Coordination & Safety • Manage all aspects of food supply, including ordering, purchasing, collection, storage, rotation, and distribution in accordance with health and safety regulations., • Conduct regular inventory checks and ensure compliance with expiration dates, storage standards, and sanitation protocols., • Oversee facility readiness, equipment maintenance, and compliance with state and local health codes., • Coordinate pickups, deliveries, and food rescue efforts with donors, partners, and volunteers., • Lead menu planning and culturally relevant food programming in partnership with mission-aligned chefs, farmers, producers and nutrition professionals., • Develop policies around food use and disposal, integrating zero-waste and sustainability practices., • Collaborate on special initiatives such as student garden projects and food education programs. Community Partnerships, Outreach & Advocacy • Build and maintain strategic relationships with agency partners, food justice organizations, policy coalitions, and other stakeholders., • Serve as a subject matter expert on food access, equity, and justice issues, staying informed of emerging trends and policy developments., • Create and present educational materials, presentations, and workshops on food justice, food insecurity, and sustainable systems., • Represent BTWCSC in local and regional coalitions, committees, and advocacy initiatives related to food systems and equity. Evaluation, Reporting & Continuous Improvement • Lead the collection, analysis, and reporting of data on food program operations, outcomes, and community impact., • Develop and maintain dashboards and reports for internal leadership, funders, and external stakeholders., • Utilize data insights to inform decision-making, improve service delivery, and guide future programming., • Support evaluation activities that measure the impact of food distribution on family stability, health, and food security. Qualifications and Skills Required: • A college degree in culinary sciences, food systems, sustainability, nutrition, environmental science, public health, community development, social work or equivalent experience is highly preferred., • 5+ years of experience in food, agricultural production, restaurant, grocery retail or hospitality experience in a fast-paced setting, preferably in a management position., • Direct experience in community health, direct service and/or client management., • 2+ years of demonstrated experience leading, coaching and collaborating with a team., • Demonstrated experience in managing program and/or food budgets, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring fiscal responsibility and sustainability., • Proven experience in sustainable and direct food sourcing, maintaining inventory and limiting waste., • Demonstrated knowledge of the food and nutrition, inequities, social and cultural needs of underserved communities and the historical and contemporary impacts of racism and structural inequities., • Demonstrated experience with providing racially and culturally-responsive services and programs for diverse populations, preferred., • Lived experience with Black/African-American communities and/or communities of color and/or navigating housing insecurity and/or the justice system preferred., • Strong advocacy skills and experience mobilizing community engagement are preferred., • Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with staff, clients, volunteers, community stakeholders, funders and government agencies., • Demonstrates professionalism, socioemotional intelligence, and integrity., • Excellent verbal, writing, and comprehension skills., • Demonstrates strong project management skills and the keen ability to plan, implement, and execute., • Ability to work with diversity and challenge, establishing and maintaining working relationships with producers, farmers, co-workers, volunteers, funding source representatives, board members, and other service providers., • Ability to manage staff and contribute to strategic hiring decisions., • Demonstrated excellence in organizational and systems planning and implementation., • Demonstrated interpersonal skills including flexibility and the ability to listen, negotiate and collaborate with various stakeholders., • Proactive, organized, independent, motivated and detailed oriented manager., • Experience in successful people management and acute soft skills., • Ability to work independently and be both creative and strategic when confronted with complex and multifaceted opportunities and challenges., • A positive attitude, compassion, and strong team-oriented work ethic, • Strong applicants must have the ability to be flexible and adapt to change., • Google Suite, MS Excel and software proficiency required., • CA Driver's License is required., • Must have current CPR/First Aid certification., • Must have Food Safety/ServSafe certification. Professional Expectations: • Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs for vulnerable populations, • Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions., • Builds rapport and relates well to others., • Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another., • Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience., • Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for clients., • Pursues self-development that enhances job performance., • Demonstrates an openness to change and seeks opportunities in the change process. Physical Requirements: Daily contact with clients, staff, community members, outside organizations and individuals to plan, coordinate and deliver programs. Must be able to move 35 pounds safely. The job requires the ability to stand for extended periods, kneel, reach, bend, and lift objects. Physical requirements are also typical of those needed in an office environment. Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, some nights and weekends. Additional hours may be required for program activities including but not limited to, BTW staff events, evening and late-night duty, and staff meetings; a calendar will be provided. Benefits: BTWCSC offers a competitive compensation package with paid time off and holidays, generous health and retirement benefits, and a salary commensurate with experience. This position is full-time and exempt with an annual salary range of $95,000 to $102,000 plus a full benefits package, including: • 100% employer covered excellent health, dental, and vision benefits, • Paid time off, including 15 days paid vacation, plus holidays and Center breaks/closures, • Workers' compensation;, • Employee assistance program;, • Monthly wellness benefit after 90 days;, • Access to daily chef-cooked meals and snacks;, • Commuter benefits;, • Life and disability insurance, • 401(k) with employer contribution, • Professional development opportunities, including conferences, seminars, webinars, and training. BTWCSC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion, or any other classification protected by law. According to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. To Apply, please submit the following: • A brief cover letter detailing your fit and qualifications for the position, • Copy of any relevant certifications, • Resume or CV, • Minimum of 2 references, including at least one recent supervisor, • Application submission screening will be completed on a rolling basis, • Applicants must pass a full background check and Live Scan