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Freelance Food Purchasing Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Community Food Bank

Food Purchasing Manager

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$56K - $77K/yr

The Food Purchasing Manager oversees the procurement of purchased food and related products to ensure the Community Food Bank (CFB) maintains a consistent, nutritious, and cost-effective inventory to ...

Compass Group

FOOD PURCHASING SPECIALIST

Charleston, SC · On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Manage daily purchasing and ordering for food, supplies, and equipment Monitor inventory levels and help control waste, shortages, and over-ordering Work with vendors on deliveries, pricing, credits ...

Compass Group

FOOD PURCHASING SPECIALIST

Charleston, SC

$60K - $70K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Manage daily purchasing and ordering for food, supplies, and equipment Monitor inventory levels and help control waste, shortages, and over-ordering Work with vendors on deliveries, pricing, credits ...

RIDGEWELLS INC

Food Purchasing Assistant

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$19.75 - $25.50/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Food Purchasing Assistant manages the procurement of food products, ensuring quality, proper inventory levels, and cost-effective purchasing. Supports purchasing operations by managing vendor ...

Compass Group

FOOD PURCHASING SPECIALIST

Charleston, SC

$60K - $70K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Manage daily purchasing and ordering for food, supplies, and equipment Monitor inventory levels and help control waste, shortages, and over-ordering Work with vendors on deliveries, pricing, credits ...

Robert Half

Purchasing Manager

Wayne, PA · On-site

Purchasing Manager A client of ours is looking for a Purchasing Manager for a contract role to ... Prior experience within manufacturing, food production, consumer products, or a related industry ...

Mariposa Food Co-op

Purchasing Manager

Philadelphia, PA

$47K - $52K/yr

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for all aspects of product management, including procurement, merchandising, pricing, and directing the buyers. In this role, you are responsible for developing ...

Rosetta Bakery

Purchasing Manager

Miami, FL

$60K - $65K/yr

... food, people, service and our hearts are filled with love from our customers! We are committed to ... We are seeking an energetic and detail-oriented Purchasing Manager to lead our procurement ...

New

VH Lisle LLC

Purchasing Manager

Chicago, IL · On-site

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for managing the hotel's purchasing, receiving, inventory ... Partner with Food & Beverage, Culinary, Engineering, Housekeeping, Rooms, and other departments to ...

New

Knickerbocker

Purchasing Manager

Manhattan, NY

Overview The Purchasing Manager is responsible for handling and overseeing the procurement of goods ... Ensure proper rotation (FIFO) and food safety compliance. * Distribute goods to appropriate ...

A & L Foods Inc

Purchasing Manager

Bensalem, PA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing all purchasing activities for A&L Foods in a fast-paced food distribution environment. This role ensures the timely, cost-effective ...

A & L Foods Inc

Purchasing Manager

Bensalem, PA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing all purchasing activities for A&L Foods in a fast-paced food distribution environment. This role ensures the timely, cost-effective ...

Red River Commodities

Purchasing Manager

Fargo, ND

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... food products. We pride ourselves on our sustainable practices, innovation, and commitment to ... Purchasing & Inventory Management * Ensure timely procurement of materials to support production ...

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Purchasing Manager

Los Angeles, CA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Purchasing Manager Location: Camarillo, CA Our Blend The Coffee Bean & TeaLeaf is one of the world ... Manage assigned Supply Chain categoriessuch as Dairy, Ready To Eat & Drink products, Fresh Food ...

Knickerbocker

Purchasing Manager

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

Overview The Purchasing Manager is responsible for handling and overseeing the procurement of goods ... Ensure proper rotation (FIFO) and food safety compliance. * Distribute goods to appropriate ...

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All JobsFood Purchasing JobsFreelance Food Purchasing Manager Jobs

Freelance Food Purchasing Manager information

See salary details

$40.5K

$84.2K

$127.5K

How much do freelance food purchasing manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance food purchasing manager in the United States is $84,202.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,000.00 and $100,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a freelance food purchasing manager typically coordinate with suppliers and clients to ensure timely deliveries?

A Freelance Food Purchasing Manager often works independently, relying on strong communication and organizational skills to coordinate with various suppliers and clients. This involves regularly updating order statuses, negotiating delivery schedules, and quickly addressing any supply chain disruptions. Since freelancers may juggle multiple clients, they often use digital tools to manage orders and maintain transparency. Building reliable relationships with suppliers and staying proactive about potential delays are crucial for ensuring that clients receive their orders on time.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance food purchasing manager?

To thrive as a Freelance Food Purchasing Manager, you need expertise in supply chain management, negotiation, and food safety standards, often supported by a degree in business, hospitality, or a related field. Familiarity with inventory management software, procurement platforms, and certifications like ServSafe are commonly required. Strong analytical skills, relationship-building, and adaptability help you excel in managing supplier relations and responding to market changes. These competencies ensure cost-effective purchasing, high-quality product sourcing, and reliable supply for food operations.

What is the difference between Freelance Food Purchasing Manager vs Food Buyer?

AspectFreelance Food Purchasing ManagerFood Buyer
CredentialsRelevant purchasing certifications, industry knowledgeOften similar certifications, industry experience
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based, flexibleIn-house or retail settings, team-based
Employer/Industry UsageFreelance/consulting in food service, manufacturingFood retail, hospitality, manufacturing
Search/Comparison IntentUnderstanding freelance roles vs in-house rolesComparing freelance and in-house purchasing positions

The main difference between a Freelance Food Purchasing Manager and a Food Buyer lies in their work setup and employment status. Freelance Food Purchasing Managers operate independently, often on a project basis, providing specialized services to various clients. In contrast, Food Buyers are typically employed full-time within companies or retail outlets, focusing on ongoing procurement needs. Both roles require industry knowledge and purchasing certifications, but their work environments and employment structures differ significantly.

What does a freelance food purchasing manager do?

A Freelance Food Purchasing Manager is responsible for sourcing and procuring food products for clients, such as restaurants, catering companies, or food retailers, on a contract or project basis. Their duties include negotiating with suppliers, ensuring the quality and safety of food items, managing inventory, and optimizing costs. Because they work independently rather than as a full-time employee, they offer flexibility and expertise to multiple clients, helping them maintain efficient and cost-effective food supply chains.

What cities are hiring for Freelance Food Purchasing Manager jobs?

Cities with the most Freelance Food Purchasing Manager job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Food Purchasing Manager jobs?

The most popular types of Food Purchasing Manager jobs are:

What states have the most Freelance Food Purchasing Manager jobs?

States with the most job openings for Freelance Food Purchasing Manager jobs include:

Freelance Food Purchasing Manager jobs near you

Food Purchasing Manager

Community Food Bank

Tucson, AZ • On-site

$56K - $77K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

Position Summary:
The Food Purchasing Manager oversees the procurement of purchased food and related products to ensure the Community Food Bank (CFB) maintains a consistent, nutritious, and cost-effective inventory to support agency partners, direct service programs, and organizational initiatives. This position contributes to the development of purchasing strategies, manages commercial vendor relationships, negotiates contracts and pricing, administers procurement processes, and collaborates with Food Sourcing, Warehouse Operations, Allocations, Transportation, Finance, and Programs to ensure food purchases align with organizational demand, inventory goals, and approved budget.
The Food Purchasing Manager is responsible for purchasing execution and vendor management and, with donor acquisition activities limited to a small, assigned portfolio as time permits. This position ensures procurement activities comply with organizational policies, funding requirements, and applicable regulations while continuously improving purchasing processes and supply chain efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
Procurement Strategy & Purchasing Operations
  • Contribute to and implement purchasing strategies that align with organizational priorities, inventory objectives, and approved operating budgets.
  • Procure food and related products that meet quality, nutritional, operational, and financial requirements.
  • Support the development of annual and seasonal purchasing plans based on organizational demand, inventory targets, and market conditions.
  • Identify opportunities to improve procurement efficiency, product availability, and overall value.
  • Monitor food markets, commodity pricing, product availability, and supply chain conditions to support informed purchasing decisions.
  • Use purchasing as a strategic gap-filling tool for priority categories such as protein, dairy, shelf-stable foods, frozen foods, disaster readiness, and culturally appropriate foods.

Vendor & Supplier Management
  • Develop, negotiate, and maintain relationships with commercial food vendors, distributors, brokers, manufacturers, and service providers.
  • Negotiate pricing, contracts, freight terms, rebates, and service agreements that provide the best overall value to CFB.
  • Evaluate supplier performance related to pricing, quality, delivery, responsiveness, and service levels.
  • Identify and qualify new suppliers to improve competition, product availability, and organizational resilience.
  • Resolve vendor performance issues and recommend corrective actions when necessary.

Purchasing Administration
  • Manage purchase orders, procurement documentation, contracts, and purchasing records.
  • Ensure procurement activities comply with organizational purchasing policies, grant requirements, government regulations, and funding restrictions.
  • Coordinate competitive bid processes and vendor selection activities as appropriate.
  • Maintain accurate purchasing data within ERP and procurement systems.
  • Review invoices and purchasing documentation to ensure accuracy and timely payment processing.
  • Support purchased product setup, order tracking, and purchasing documentation for the bulk food purchasing program.

Inventory Planning & Supply Management
  • Analyze inventory levels, historical usage, demand forecasts, and distribution trends to determine replenishment needs.
  • Collaborate with the Allocations Manager and Warehouse Operations to ensure purchased inventory supports organizational food flow and program priorities.
  • Recommend purchasing adjustments based on inventory aging, product movement, seasonal demand, and operational capacity.
  • Assist in establishing inventory goals and replenishment strategies that minimize waste while maintaining adequate product availability.

Cross-Functional Coordination
  • Partner with Warehouse Operations to coordinate delivery schedules, receiving priorities, and storage requirements for purchased products.
  • Collaborate with Transportation regarding inbound freight, carrier performance, and delivery logistics.
  • Work with Finance to support budget development, purchasing forecasts, financial reporting, and invoice reconciliation.
  • Coordinate with Programs and Agency Partnerships to understand changing program needs and incorporate those requirements into purchasing plans.
  • Coordinate with Food Sourcing regarding products available through donation channels to avoid unnecessary purchasing and maximize organizational resources.

Financial Management & Reporting
  • Manage assigned purchasing budgets, expenditures, freight costs, and cost-saving opportunities.
  • Analyze procurement data to identify spending trends, pricing changes, supplier performance, and purchasing efficiencies.
  • Prepare regular reports regarding purchasing activity, vendor performance, inventory trends, and budget utilization.
  • Recommend procurement improvements that reduce costs while maintaining product quality and service levels.
  • Provide purchasing data, pricing trends, and budget variance information to support budget planning and review.
  • Complete quarterly price audits for selected bulk purchase SKUs against local retailer pricing and recommend adjustments as needed.

Compliance & Continuous Improvement
  • Ensure procurement activities comply with Feeding America standards, USDA requirements, organizational policies, and applicable procurement regulations.
  • Support food safety initiatives by ensuring purchased products meet quality and regulatory standards.
  • Identify opportunities to improve purchasing workflows, procurement systems, and supply chain processes.
  • Participate in ERP enhancements, procurement process improvements, and organizational change initiatives.
  • Prepare reports and recommendations for leadership regarding purchasing performance, emerging opportunities, operational risks, and market trends.

Leadership
  • Provide functional guidance and coordination to staff involved in purchasing and procurement-related processes. Develop standardized procurement procedures, purchasing documentation, and vendor management practices.
  • Foster collaboration across Food Sourcing and operational departments to improve organizational performance.
  • Represent CFB with vendors, suppliers, purchasing cooperatives, and industry organizations as appropriate.

Other
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the staff member for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Procurement, Logistics, Finance in related field or an equivalent combination of directly related education and experience. Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in purchasing, procurement, supply chain management, inventory planning, vendor management, or food distribution.
  • Two (2) years of experience coordinating purchasing processes, vendor relationships, projects, programs, or cross-functional work.
  • Experience negotiating contracts, pricing agreements, and supplier relationships.
  • Experience managing purchasing budgets and procurement processes.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Office 365, and experience using ERP or procurement systems.
  • Valid Arizona Driver's License with a clean driving record; ability to travel to CFB locations.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in nonprofit food banking, food distribution, grocery retail, wholesale food distribution, or food manufacturing.
  • Experience with Feeding America purchasing programs, USDA commodities, or government procurement.
  • Experience coordinating cross-functional purchasing, procurement, or inventory processes. Knowledge of inventory management systems and forecasting methodologies.
  • Bilingual English/Spanish.

Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered if applicable and must be directly related to the functions and body of knowledge required to successfully perform the job.
Skills & Knowledge
  • Knowledge of purchasing, procurement, contract administration, and supply chain management principles.
  • Knowledge of vendor management, strategic sourcing, inventory replenishment, and demand planning.
  • Knowledge of procurement regulations, purchasing policies, and contract management practices.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate pricing, market conditions, supplier performance, and purchasing trends.
  • Strong negotiation and financial management skills.
  • Ability to develop purchasing strategies that balance service, quality, and cost.
  • Excellent organizational and project management skills.
  • Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
  • Ability to interpret purchasing reports, budgets, and performance metrics.
  • Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, and continuous improvement mindset.
  • Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse economic, social, and cultural backgrounds.Core Competencies
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Financial Stewardship
  • Vendor Relationship Management
  • Negotiation
  • Data Analysis
  • Collaboration
  • Communication
  • Results Orientation
  • Continuous Improvement
  • Accountability
  • Integrity
  • Adaptability

Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered if applicable and must be directly related to the functions and body of knowledge required to successfully perform the job.
Physical Requirements:
  • Light Work - ability to exert 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Expectations:
  • CFB is dedicated to fostering a workplace where our Core Values of Dignity, Integrity, Collaboration, and Impact are actively demonstrated and supported in all aspects of our work.
  • CFB works diligently to maintain a culture of fairness, responsibility, trustworthiness and teamwork to advance our mission: We change lives in the communities we serve by feeding the hungry today and building a healthy, hunger-free tomorrow.
  • CFB is a drug and tobacco free work environment.
  • CFB is committed to having a workforce that reflects diversity at all levels and is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment, and staff members are treated during employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

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