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Food Source Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Food Production Lead

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$22 - $24/hr

So in 2018, CookUnity was founded as the first-of-its-kind platform that connects the world with the source of truly great food: chefs. Today, CookUnity delivers 50 million meals a year from the ...

So in 2018, CookUnity was founded as the first-of-its-kind platform that connects the world with the source of truly great food: chefs. Today, CookUnity delivers 50 million meals a year from the ...

To fulfill our mission, we source and acquire nutritious food and other products and distribute them to people experiencing nutrition insecurity through our partner agency network and directly ...

Showing results 41-60

Food Source information

See California salary details

$7

$17

$33

How much do food source jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for food source in California is $17.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.36 and $20.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical challenges faced by food sourcing specialists in maintaining supplier relationships?

Food sourcing specialists often face challenges such as fluctuating ingredient prices, varying supplier reliability, and ensuring consistent quality standards. Building and maintaining strong supplier relationships requires effective communication, proactive problem-solving, and regular on-site visits or audits. Additionally, specialists must stay informed about market trends and regulations to adapt sourcing strategies and minimize supply chain disruptions.

What is a food source?

Food sources are the origins or providers of the nutrients and energy that humans and animals consume to sustain life. These sources can be broadly categorized into plant-based (such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes) and animal-based (such as meat, dairy, fish, and eggs). Understanding food sources is essential for balanced nutrition, food safety, and sustainable food systems. Food sources also play a crucial role in dietary choices, cultural practices, and environmental impact.

What is the difference between Food Source vs Food Service Worker?

AspectFood SourceFood Service Worker
CredentialsMay require food handling permits or certificationsOften requires food safety training or permits
Work EnvironmentFood production, sourcing, or supply chain settingsRestaurants, cafeterias, catering services
Industry UsageUsed in supply chain, procurement, and sourcing rolesCustomer service, food preparation, service roles
Search/Comparison IntentUnderstanding sourcing vs service roles in food industryDifferences between food sourcing and service jobs

Food Source roles focus on procuring, sourcing, and managing food supplies within the supply chain or production environment. Food Service Worker roles involve direct interaction with customers, preparing, and serving food in various service settings. While both roles are essential in the food industry, they differ in responsibilities, work environments, and required certifications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food sourcing specialist?

To thrive as a Food Sourcing Specialist, you need a solid understanding of supply chain management, food safety regulations, and vendor negotiation, often backed by a bachelor’s degree in business, agriculture, or a related field. Familiarity with procurement software, inventory management systems, and certifications like HACCP or SQF are typically required. Strong relationship-building, problem-solving, and communication skills help you collaborate effectively with suppliers and internal teams. These abilities ensure a reliable, cost-effective, and safe supply of food products, which is crucial for business success and customer satisfaction.

What are popular job titles related to Food Source jobs in California?

For Food Source jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in California are hiring for Food Source jobs?

Cities in California with the most Food Source job openings:

Infographic showing various Food Source job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $35,644 per year, or $17.1 per hour.

Purchasing Management Specialist - Food (bilingual Japanese)

Yami

Brea, CA

Full-time

Medical, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago


Job description

Summary: The Purchasing Specialist who is responsible for planning, sourcing, and purchasing all products within his/her category(ies);will have end-to-end ownership of a category of our products. Daily functions include sourcing new vendors, building and managing vendor relations, negotiating costs and terms, maintaining existing product lines, and setting up new product lines respectively. He/she will also interact with our marketing and promotion teams to come up with pricing and selling plans and make decisions on how to scale and expand our customer base and drive GMV growth and margins.

The goal of our merchandising team is to drive GMV and customer growth while maintaining healthy margins. This position will require bilingual skills in order to communicate and negotiate with both domestic and international vendors. Job Responsibilities: Sourcing & Procurement Generate purchase orders, follow up with PO's, confirm status and ensure delivery on a daily basis Source and develop new vendors, craft negotiation strategies and terms on price, payment and lead time and close deals with optimal terms Source and develop new products in Asian Food segments based on various factors such as customer demands, price, quality, availability, market trends, and team budgets Strategy and Analytics Develop, lead, optimize, and execute category sourcing and purchasing strategies Use data and multiple dimension metrics to improve KPIs for inventory level, inventory allocation, turnover and cash flow Forecast price, analyze customer buying patterns and market trends to identify and optimize product assortment, pricing as well as changes of balance in buyer-supplier power Customer-driven, ability to reflect business from the customer side, and increase customer experience through everyday work Effectively communicate results of KPIs & root cause analysis with management team and lead corrective action implementation in areas where performance is not meeting expectations Vendor relationship: Manage and maintain good vendor relationships and performance by deploying a standard set of metrics to improve vendors' performance including fill rate, lead time, OSHA requirements etc Ability to maintain perspective and confidence in face of difficult price negotiations, exceptionally tight deadlines, and expectations Partner with cross functional teams on platform promotions, marketing allocation, mark-downs, payments terms and other special requests Other Job tasks as assigned Qualification and Requirement: Bachelor's Degree 2-4+ years of purchasing and or vendor management experience in retail or related industries Demonstrated enthusiasm for foods/grocery/snack/drink products and understanding of respective customers Excellent negotiation and persuasion skills in English, mastery Japanese language is required.

Analytical thinker with a positive attitude and flexibility to accommodate evolving business needs Excellent attention to detail, self-starter with the ability to learn, grow and adapt quickly Decision-Making: Must be able to assimilate the information gathered by yourself and others (internal & external) to make sound and timely decisions Benefits Benefits & Compensation: 401(k) matching Health insurance Vision insurance Paid time off (PTO): vacation, sick, and holidays On-site gym and game rooms Employee discount 60-80K


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About Yami

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Internet and it

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2013